RobC

There is only one thing they want to know What's in it for me!

I’ve been using it for 6 years now and I can’t say there are any secrets to reveal. You might want to learn a few shortcuts to minimize scrolling and clicking otherwise it’s just plain old MS Word. At the onset I customized the front page template, otherwise everything is original. http://www.scopehomeinspections.justser ... REPORT.pdf The odometer reading on the Palm Software is less than 2 hours. It became too much of a distraction to go looking for little boxes on a tiny screen with every finding. If you’re alone it might be ok, but having your client(s) waiting on you while you fumble around with stuff you’re having difficulties finding in my view is unprofessional. I prefer a voice recorder and digital camera to document the house then I go back in the office and create the report, less stress. Then there’s OfficePro……Let’s just say it’s a work in progress……..since 2000[:-taped]

First you need to know what kind of insulation you're blowing or better said what you will be recommending to your customers. You might want to approach the manufacturer and get their experience with the equipment that's out there. Ask if they lease to purchase. Enroll in their training program if they have one and become certified. Have you thought about offering specialty foam application based on sound building envelope engineering? That might set you apart from the other 498 insulators out there. Just a thought.

No. Identifying the manufacturer has no relevance to your inspections in this case. The product is not intended for this application. Aside from the fact that the material will shrink, peel, melt, and dissolve over time, visualize water draining on the brick surface and where it's going to end up; that will answer the question you should be asking. I shot this just for you from this mornings' inspection Download Attachment: RoofingChimneyMasonCounter (Medium).jpg 94.88 KB This is the illustration I would include in my report Download Attachment: ChimneyCountFlashing (Medium).JPG 85.12 KB

If you think this is funny, wait until you hear the rest of the story. Comedy at its best.

C'mon Kurt that's no way to treat a lawyer. The man is looking for attention and possibly drum up a little business. Joe, if business is slow then I have a job for you. This is easy money. It involves a Canadian home inspector and an Atlanta home inspector/marketing coach. I won’t bore you with the details so here is a brief summary. 1. Canadian guy hires the Atlanta coach 2. Atlanta coach recommends his business partner ‘The magician in a Superman outfit’ to build a direct marketing website. 3. The Canadian inspector pays the magician in full. 4. The magician disappears with the money. Are you interested? BTW I have all the documentation to prove my case and you won’t have to go very far for service. Next time you’re on the road with your buddy, go over and knock on his door and serve him the statement of claim.

That would be called your Zoid font. NIce[:-crazy]

Sure! but can it carry a cold adult beverage? You mean one of these......... Download Attachment: BeerBales3 (Medium).jpg 85.55 KB Uh!....................No Jim, if you restrict your on board weapons to 200grams ...yep. At over 20k, you might want to consider throwing your M80's over the fence, much cheaper. BTW Do they still make M80 firecrackers.....I sure miss them and cherry bombs too.

I kind of thought 10pt was a bit small, 11pt might be a good compromise. You differentiate between legal and non legal work but is not our reporting system in a sense a legal document? Does the legal system require a specific font style and size?

What font and font size do you all use for your reports?

My serial numbers don't look like that. According to my notes, Nordyne is the manufacturer Here is their phone number if you want to call them tomorrow. 1 888 667-4822

Chances are that it could be Fiber Glass Blowing Wool Insulation. JM Formaldehyde-freeâ„¢ Insulation has been around since 1999 with some degree of success. That success is dependent on the applicator and how his machine is set up. "but appears to be a bit lighter-weight and easier to move around." If it's installed according to manufacturer's recommended thickness and mass per unit area then it works fine. When it's installed incorrectly then you have cavitation and scouring especially in high wind exposures. Download Attachment: VentilationAtticScouring (Medium).jpg 46.35 KB This is the documentation that SHOULD be included with all installations, usually stapled on a web near the hatch. I've yet to see it. Download Attachment: JM_ClimatePro.jpg 450.55 KB That's the reason I never mention R values when I describe blown in insulation because that value is a function of density and present applications usually don't conform. I describe it as having a thickness of Xinches.

That pretty well sums it up. I'd do this http://www.draganfly.com/uav-helicopter ... gqd3Afirst before leaving the profession.

And you don't want to download images within your message it detracts from what you want to say. I like to keep my message light with heavy hitting links sprinkled throughout. The advantage is the ability to track the clicks in the back end, fine tune your campaign and target your prospects. I'd be curious to see what you use and how you use it.

Terence, It was part of the website building package, I couldn't tell you what software he used to create it.

This is the Digital Stationary I'm referring to. The header is linked to my website. You can also have tabs at the top linking your newsletter (PDF), about us page, Youtube Videos or whatever you wish. I use it to publish my inspection reports, invoicing, thank you notes and general correspondence. I add verbiage to the template and save it as such so I don't have to retype my message each time I use it. Works well and looks very professional.

I'm convinced.........advertising works! I finally broke down and consulted a real web designer after supporting a dead end website for the past 5 years that might have yielded.....maybe 3 inspections. And 2 weeks after going live, I find myself on page one of Google, the phone is ringing and I'm booking inspections. Who would a thunk?! I also converted my boring emails to Digital Stationary that matches the new website color and style. I use it to email my reports and brand my correspondence. it looks more professional and has the ability to deliver more traffic back to my website. Thanks Mike, great job http://www.inspectexpress.com/

The author is a half wit. Some of my favorite quotations: * Make sure your breaker boxes are properly wired. Improper wiring and wrong sized boxes are a common thing that is seen in older homes. Make sure that your wiring and boxes fit properly because this is one of the leading ways that fires start in homes. * Shingles need to be secured and make sure that all of them were properly installed. This can lead to major leaks when it rains and it will damage the structure of the home. To repair something like this will cost even more money that you weren't planning on. By taking the proper precautions you will ensure that you won't have to pay for such an expense. * Many gutters don't properly drain and it in turn causes the water to seep into your foundation. - Jim Katen, Oregon You're too kind

Does anybody have a photo of a baffled dishwasher fitting? Tom, that's our standard installation. How do you hook up your dishwashers where you are? Of course, if you want to save money you could always do it this way. Download Attachment: PlumbVentNDWHoockup.jpg 52.22 KB In higher end homes when they spend the value of a new 1970 Volkswagen beetle then I suggest to install a dishwasher 'muffler' to eliminate drain noise.

Any reason why the dishwasher couldn't be hooked up this way? Download Attachment: PlumbDWDrain (Medium).jpg 53.76 KB

lol, I've just ordered one made of plastic and I'm guarding it with my life. My last one disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

Hi John, That's an absolutely GREAT question. Here is a basic calculation I use to answer the very same question I have about basement development returns etc. A regular register is usually 3" x 10" or 30 sq inches in area Assuming you have only one register in the bedroom, then you'll need the same area for return. So, if the door is 30" with 1/2" space then you have 15 sq inches or half the requirement. You can do the same thing for homeowner basement developments if you have such a thing. Add up all the registers X 30 inches and that's what you need for the return.

I measure roof pitch if I suspect shingles have been installed on a less than 4:12 slope. I like to keep things simple, this is what I carry in my binder and its FREE. The amusement factor is priceless. Download Attachment: IKOPocketPitchfinder.jpg 378.44 KB Here is the other side if you want to calculate coverage. Download Attachment: IKOPocketPitchfinder2.jpg 323.71 KB Inside complex roof slopes I'll use a tape and level.

I never thought of it as a nuisance, I'm thankful I have a customer to lend a flashlight to. This is a service industry and if it involves lending a flashlight then so be it. You might not say anything but believe me your client will sense your thinking especially women. So, if it ticks you off then carry a 'client' flashlight AND a 'client' tape measure. It's a win-win situation.

Yes, although I'm using it more as a marketing tool than for inspecting. Testimonial VDOs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTAgFl1wrvA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=midwaP8YXRs Instructional VDOs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLIWYMjeYKs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1_ZdWDPGMU I've got two more in production about frost-free valves and one I call 'dishwasher muffler'. They are a lot of fun to produce.