Ratings, Yes or No?

[Mark Burnett]

I've recently purchased the HIP software and it's my first experience with ratings,  such as (IN, N/I, NP, Safety Issue, RR).  My old software was produced more of a narrative style report.  Do most of you use the ratings or not in your reports?  Do your clients like the rating-style report or express a need for more information.  I'm compelled to want to put more of an explanation than just marking a box?   Just looking for opinions, in a way the rating style is straightforward and to the point. 

[David A. Andersen]

Mark,
I too use a narrative style report. Adding ratings adds to many mouse clicks for my liking.

My state inspection law requires us to add some narrative type rating to our significant issues.

All issues must contain the following recommendations:

This component does not function as intended.

This condition adversely affects the habitability of the dwelling.

This condition requires repair.

This condition requires subsequent observation.

This condition warrants further investigation by a specialist.

It is my recommendation that you continue with the way you have done things in the past. This is one of the most beneficial advantages of using HIP. You can make it your way!

I put most of my narratives in photograph captions. The "pick and choose" items basically cover state law requirements and building code data that can be used the same way in every inspection discrepancy.

I find it very difficult to go with" one description covers all inspection situations". It takes a little bit more time, but I prefer to narrate (with Dragon naturally speaking software) and paste the narrative into the photograph captions. You can sometimes cover four or five issues in one photograph. One problem I'm trying to work through is that I need the caption information in the summary. I am currently doing this by narrating a short description of the photograph caption, which I insert into the "red area" by double-clicking on a description I made such as "comment". By double-clicking, it opens an edit window where you can paste, but not have to save in the comments section.

You must turn on "edit comments" which turns off "ratings" which you are considering not using anyway.

Cut and paste can be time consuming, so using Ctrl-x to cut and Ctrl-v to paste off of your keyboard makes this process more efficient.

[Dominic Maricic]

David,

I'm going to make a separate post on the caption issue as I don't want to start too much thread drift here.

[Dominic Maricic]

I responded here: http://www.homeinspectorpro.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,182/topic,286.0/

[Mark Burnett]

David,

Thanks for the response.  I agree, HIP affords one the ability to design or report in the manner that's most comfortable for them.  I think the client deserves more of an explanation (narrative) then just checking a box.  So as you suggested I'm going to stick to what I'm used to. I like the idea of the narratives i the photograph captions.  I think I'm going that route.  I'm still working my way around the software, just purchased it but love it.  I'm adjusting to all the 'bells and whistles' that it offers.  Dominic has done a great job with it and his service has been awesome!!  Take care....

[David Macy]

I converted over from using the AHIT narrative report to HIP.

I added the ratings and still do a narrative style. So I guess it is a checklist/narrative

I also have 3 additional ratings that I use.

My ratings are Serv./Major/Safety/Monitor/Repair.  I add Improve: /Def. cost and N/A. I leave the ratings blank when I add these.

I like the ratings to use as a checklist to make sure I did not forget anything.

Next to the ratings is my description and observation.

I hope Dom comes out with a revised edition that includes copy to summary from the photo area.

[David A. Andersen]

Dom, When is this upgrade coming?

Soon?

We are getting more and more HI's that want to narrate the pic caption and not the report body.

Forget Hutchinson's wild wants and get a "basic" report format we can work around. No frills and fireworks, just post it once, have it print once and be able to generate a report from the 100 pictures we take at each inspection!  Some of us will never report on site. It takes too much brain work to make it a worthwhile report to do it on site. If I want to generate a report on site I'll get a carbon copy check box form to fill in.

I am not a computer programing guru but I don't see that a check box to make a picture caption print in the summary or make every picture caption go to RED is a big issue. If we take a picture of it, it warrants a repair and post to the summary. If not, leave it out and print it to the end or attach them in an email.

[David Macy]

I am not a computer programing guru but I don't see that a check box to make a picture caption print in the summary or make every picture caption go to RED is a big issue. If we take a picture of it, it warrants a repair and post to the summary. If not, leave it out and print it to the end or attach them in an email.

I agree with this and I have spoken to Dom about working from photos and copying to summary. It would save me a lot of time. I hope he has something in his next upgrade. The box to check to copy to report summary would be sweet.

So we would batch add photos, review and email.

[Dominic Maricic]

Hey David and David (hehe),

Robert's method is actually already in the program, he wasn't suggesting anything new. The post here: http://www.homeinspectorpro.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,182/topic,286.0/ is the way I'm going right now. I know it seems simple to just add a check box 'Add to Summary' but it actually is more complicated as all comments right now are stored in the Red/Black lists and the program loops through all of those to create the summary as it's processing the rest of the report. I think what is discussed on the other thread will actually make this a much quicker and efficient method as you'll still be able to store the narratives in the template.

The upcoming new version actually has lots of new features being built into it at once which is why it's been a month since I've put anything out (credit card processing, a lot of photo options, InspectVue template->HIP template converter, etc). If you want, you can download 2.6.0.6 which includes a cleaned up summary (removed some of the extra spaces), fixed a few other issues but mostly had improvements for people using the Q1 at the 600x480 resolution. The othe

[David A. Andersen]

As before, that sounds acceptable to me.

The first thing I do is load all my pictures, not that they are all used but so they will be retained on HIP if need in the future and my computer crashes.

Then I dictate of select a narrative for the picture.

Then I have to stick the narrative in the picture or in the RED box so it will hit the summery.

Then I have to get the pic in the right section of the report. Sometimes in sections that are complex, there are several places the pic can be placed. If I don't remember where that was and am not being redundant by re-printing to the caption from the drop down box, the pic ends up in another section from where the narrative is. This requires side-by-side windows or two computers to do.

My other dilemma is that often I will cover several issues (up to three or four) in one picture. This really gets to be a mess trying to figure where the pic went!

[Dominic Maricic]

Can you email me a sample of one of your reports. I want a better idea on a few things that you are doing.

[David A. Andersen]

http://www.midtninspections.com/Infrared-home-inspection-sample-reports.html

[David A. Andersen]

Did you want the HIP report format to get the template?

[Dominic Maricic]

No, but you could always share that here if you want with others. I just wanted to check out how your report looks. It helps as I'm thinking of the new design to see how people are trying to accomplish it now. Thanks!

[David A. Andersen]

I am still trying to refine things.

I get a lot of redundancy in the sections (too much electrical issues in different locations; bath, kitchen, outdoors, basement, main electrical, hvac electrical...).This adds to the photo caption problem. I had 13 photos that I had to move after I generated my first report draft today.

My goal is to have brief comments that would end up in a summary page that I pick-n-choose. Then dictate the specifics in the photo caption.

I have been working more on marketing than my report lately!

It is a bit too confusing at this point (even to me).

[Dominic Maricic]

Hi Dave,

I think it looks pretty sharp. I can see a few areas where it can be cleaned up, but a good job overall.

[David Macy]

I have a question for Dave A.

Lets say you have an inspection were the kitchen faucet/sink/trap/supply was defective.

Where do you note this in your report?

I am trying to edit my bath/plumbing/kitchen areas for using in the field.

I like to keep pluming within the section but I need to add some areas for the bathrooms as I have toilets as one panel. If three toilets are serviceable and one is damaged I need to be able to report on with a better set up.

Thanks, You sample is very good. It looks like it would work well in the field.

[David A. Andersen]

I use the "component" type report. I could never get the room-by-room straight.

I just put all plumbing in the plumbing.
I find this useful as the client has a list of plumbing issues from the plumbing section and that section can all go to the plumber.

When There are three bathrooms and you have a loose toilet; I select "You have a loose toilet". Put it in the "Red Section". Then double click it and add "in the master bathroom".

Also if you have six plumbing issues and that is all that is really wrong with the house, it is obvious that they just need a plumber and be on their way to closing. When It is scattered through the report, it seem a much bigger issue than it really is.

[David Macy]

In my opinion the report works better and faster if you set up the selection and damage panelsand then add photos.

If you set up correct then it is just click and tap in the photo areas.

[Joseph Tribuzio]

just updated my rating system-
 AF=appears functional, MR, maintenance recommended
RRR= review, repair or replace,  NA= not applicable ( missing, no access)  APOD= ask present owner details.

i was thinking to add , SC= see comments , but that should be assumed.

[Ethan Young]

Is it possible in the future to have the font color be changed above the ratings boxes?

[Dominic Maricic]

Not currently, you can just change the color of the boxes. I'll add the text to the list.

[Ethan Young]

thanks man, its the icing on the cake.