tablets

[Gus Verras]

I have been doing very detailed reports with great success, but time consuming. How are the reports working out for those of you using tablets? any suggestions appreciated.

Thanks  Gus  Elk Grove CA

[Dominic Maricic]

Hi Gus,

Check out the CTL2Go, HP Slate 500 and the HP Slate 2.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Hey Gus,

I personally have not tried them. I know a few guys that made the investment and hated every minute of it. Others love using them. So, it is a personal thing. If you know someone that has one, see if they will let you borrow it for a couple of days to try it out.

[Dan Musielski]

Gus,

I personally use an older IBM XP Tablet convertible (similar to a CTL2go). ? I like it....but it's getting old an will need to be replaced. But I don't use it throughout the whole house ie; when doing the exterior, grounds, and roof, I have it set-up in the kitchen like a notebook.

But when Im doing the interior and Bathroom, I take it with me. ? I recently did a home with 8 bathroom, and went to each bathroom with it. ? That way I didn't miss a tub or toilet.

The digital notepad also works nice when writing down model #s..quick notes, etc. If my tablet is left in the kitchen...then I have a camera in hand.

[David Macy]

A few weeks ago I wanted to do a time comparison on inspection and report times.

I had 2 homes on separate days that were about the same condition/type and size.

The first one I did the inspection with taking photos and completed the entire report at home. Inspection time 2.5 hours, report time 3 hours.

Second house I did the report as I inspected and added photos at home. Inspection time 3.5 hours, report time 1 hour.

So my findings are that the inspection time was increased by an hour, but the report time was decreased by 2 hours, therefore 1 hour time saved. This time of year not a problem as it is slower. But when I need to do 2 inspections and a radon drop or pick up the additional time would kill me.

I use the CTL2 and I would like to see a feature that I could use in tablet mode to have a shift and control key for the Macy Merge.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

David... which method are you more adept at? That will have an effect on the results of your 'test'.

[David Macy]

Actually both.  The test showed it is quicker for me to do report at same time as inspection.

Faster to inspect with doing report at home but much longer to complete entire report at home.

It is the piece of crap, multiple issue homes that slow me way down.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Thanks. Agree on the POS homes. Nothing ever seems to be able to speed those up. I just accept the fact they are what they are, and it takes however long they take. I typically do not perform more than one inspection a day, so it's not an issue. Whenever I have two booked in one day, I am certain the spread them out as much as possible to avoid unexpected conflicts. 

[Dan Musielski]

I think it depends on your experience.  If youre just starting out...you're going to be creating/editing more narratives on each new inspection.  By the time you have seen your 100th loose toilet at the floor, S-trap, ground pitched towards the structure...then it's CLICK CLICK CLICK because terminology is more tuned in.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Good point Dan. I think Dave has been around long enough to have quite an established library built up.

[David Macy]

Yes, I have a good library but it is about 25 to 50% of the documented issues I seem to type from scratch.

My next inspection folder is always being updated. Needs to flow better at inspections. Locations, I always seem to struggle with(finding in folder for easy entry). Also limitations are always added as many times a system or component is not visible to inspect. There is always about 10% not in library. Also grammar and punctuational errors, like periods instead of commas as I hit the wrong button(shift instead of control) of I have a space in the wrong place, or my comment makes no sense.

Also I need to do a better job on common areas of a report like a garbage disposal. This could go in 3 places. Electrical, plumbing and appliances. So lets say it leaks, is wired wrong and does not operate where do you report the appliance.

I try to keep all electrical with electrical, plumbing with plumbing.

So for an example it would be noted in appliance section that the appliance was inoperative and I would note in section but not summary. In the electrical equipment the wiring would be noted in red, also the leaks would go in plumbing in sink DWV in red as leaking.

Makes it longer to report but more convenient for repair person, client and agents.

[Dan Musielski]

Jeff...you should have snow soon! ? That really speeds up the process..NOTTT!

Dave...you are right about duplicating where a defect should be called out, such as a "garbage disposal". ? My reports are layed out by "systems"..plumbing, electrical, structure, etc....however, I also have, Kitchen, Baths, Basement & interior. ? It has helped eliminate some of those issues. ? That way if the Garbage Disposal doesn't function, it would be in Kitchen, regardless if it's a plumbing or electrical issue. ? 

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Dan,
I basically report tha same way you do. If I find an issue that I feel needs extra emphasis, I report it in all pertinant categories.

We got six inches of the white stuff Saturday afternoon/night. If anyone thinks it speeds up an inspection due to no roof to walk, etc... guess again!!! Snow almost doubles the time to inspect the exterior. Deeper it gets, longer it takes. Now, lets drop the temp's to 20 or 15 or minus 10... add some wind chill... well, you get the idea.

Dan's in the Chicago area so he knows all too well.

[Dan Musielski]

You said it Jeff,

Pluggin through the snow...taking boots on and off, and then being able to report on less! Fortunately no snow here..YET.