jseddy Posted November 1, 2005 Report Share Posted November 1, 2005 Hi guys. I am in the initial planning stages of designing and developing a new Home Inspection software and business software solution. Thought I'd get some input from you. If you use software reporting, what do you like? What don't you like? What's missing? What would you like to see? What do you see as the advantages and disadvantages? If you don't use software reporting, what has kept you from doing so? A little background on me and how this came about. I am an engineer and use design software and engineering software daily. Currently I am a component designer but earlier in my career I worked as a 3-D modeler. Quite by coincidence, I have had the pleasure of being involved in the design and development of each of the very highly sophisticated programs I have used as well as Beta-testing them, making suggestions, fixing/finding bugs, etc. Fast forward today... I recently started researching my own HI business, have posted here on a few occasions. What I've found and as those posts reflect, I have been grossly underwhelemed with what is available on the software front, not to mention what they're charging for it. So initially, I was just going to write up my own report template, but as I got into it, I was considering what I wanted my report to say, how to say it, how I wanted to put in information and where, what I wanted to give my customer as my product and what they should know and have access to. Precisely how was I going to go about doing all this and organizing it? It quickly spiraled out of the range of mear template writing. At this point I cannot tell you how many demos I've tested, had demonstrated for me, researched, yadda yadda, and not one of these comes close to reaching the potential it could be and what it could offer. So, as I said, I am in the initial planning stages and I am aware this may be a 2-3 year ordeal. Thanks for your time. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 1, 2005 Report Share Posted November 1, 2005 I'm someone who has done it, but only because when I started, there were no packages. The total cost for the most expensive packages is still well under a grand; it's a total bargain. Why would you want to do this to yourself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted November 1, 2005 Report Share Posted November 1, 2005 Jeff wrote: "If you don't use software reporting, what has kept you from doing so?" Every software generated report that I have seen is only slightly better than handwritten checklists in containing useful content. They're usually overflowing with generalized garbage that has little to do with the actual building being inspected. General CYA disclaimers outnumber actual comments on the building and they're repeated on almost every page. They're full of inspectorspeak that seems to be written to impress rather than concisely inform. We quickly and efficiently generate custom narrative reports that contain only clear information on the building inspected. We've had thousands of repeat clients mention that they have kept, and often refer to, the report throughout their ownership of their current home. The report is the final product, thus is our best marketing material. We do more high value properties, historic and commercial buildings than any of our competitors and charge hundreds, sometimes as much as a thousand more than their fees. We dictate our reports using a digital recorder. The voice file and images are then E-mailed to typists that evening. The reports are prepared, proofread and E-mailed to the client usually well within 24 hours of the inspection. The advantage to this system: 1. Every word in the report is specific to the property inspected. 2. Dictation aids in the preparation of a report that is written as if the inspector is speaking directly with the client. 3. My verbal communication skills are much better than my writing skills, and I have a live person editing/correcting the final product. 4. We don't have to spend extra time on site preparing a report. 5. Our typists are stay at home Mom's making some extra dough. 6. We don't do a "Positive Attributes" section or include other unnecessary crap that seems common in many software generated reports. I don't know if this will help, but you asked. Good luck Jeff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 1, 2005 Report Share Posted November 1, 2005 Kibbel's comments are pretty righteous; simply writing a report is better than any of the packaged systems. I've yet to see a packaged system worth a dime, EXCEPT Cramerware, for reasons to numerous to get into right now. That said, my bread & butter "home inspection" software allows me to provide a customized report format for basic homes; conservatively speaking, I've spent, oh, maybe 2500 hours putting it together over the last 13 years. That's why I said the package systems are a "bargain". Package systems suck for my purposes, but for the average HI, they can provide a decent option. This should be really interesting. I'm always interested when folks w/no background in home inspection start talking authoritively about the profession, the software, & how they're going to be the bustout option of the future. More power to you; when you get it complete, I'll be glad to purchase a copy to see what you've got that no one else has figured out yet. I'll answer your questions; hope it helps. 1) If you use software reporting, what do you like? My comment library that allows me to search for specific boilerplate; I customize comments to fit certain broad descriptive categories. My software also includes a couple modules for follow up letters, marketing, & data tracking. I've also got a billing & receivables module, & a scheduling component. 2) What don't you like? I'm happy w/what I've got right now; don't really dislike anything. 3) What's missing? What would you like to see? Well written boilerplate that uses industry standard language. To date, all the boilerplate in all of the packages sucks so bad it's painful to think about. 4) What do you see as the advantages and disadvantages? Advantages- allows me to generate a report on site. Disadvantages- allows me to generate a report on site. 5) If you don't use software reporting, what has kept you from doing so? NA/I've been developing my own system for the last 13 years. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Brown Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 Jeff said: "Home Inspectors are getting fleeced for this stuff at any price they pay." I guess I take some offence to this comment. Software pricing is based on a number of factors like, the size of the market as well as the competition in the market. Comparing Adobe Creative Suite, Logic Pro, Final Cut, Photoshop, Mechanical 6, AutoCad, Alpine, even MS Office is like comparing apples to oranges. The size of the market is completely different. There are at my exaggerated estimate at most 30,000 home inspectors in North America (someone correct me if I'm wrong) some of them only work part time, some of them don't use software at all and some donââ¬â¢t even know how to use a computer. There are about 60 companies selling software or checklists. The software takes years to develop, build the libraries as well as money to advertise and support the product. You sell it once. Jeff said: "I see a huge opportunity here" I think I remember saying that at one time. By the time you get out of the gate 5 more new companies will have started selling home inspection software and the 5 or 6 serious software companies will have new versions of their software out. When you have been there for 3 years they will have already been there for 10 to 15 years. Now Jeff, my records indicate you didn't download and review our software demo anyway. Give it a try, CUSTOMIZE it and then tell us why it wouldn't work for you and why it's not worth the money? Currently $595.00 US Kurt said: "I've yet to see a packaged system worth a dime, EXCEPT Cramerware" Kurt your demo download of Inspect Express was almost 4 years ago also... hint! Not that you would switch, but your comments might be more up to date. Sample Report http://www.inspectexpress.com/samples/NACHISample1.pdf Web Site http://www.inspectexpress.com Always looking for feedback! Michael Brown DevWave Software Inc. http://www.devwave.com Support: 1 250 743 1940 Sales: 1 888 739 4033 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 Fair enough; you're right, I haven't tried it for several years. I apologize for any slight, perceived or otherwise; it was not my intent. As you know, I tend to roll on w/the verbiage, and am prone to dramatic proclamations. I know a few folks that use your product & find it superb; those folks are cream of the crop operators, which tells the story better than I can. You stated better than me what I was thinking when I read the initial post on the ripoff HI software vendors & comparing it to products that have 10's of millions of users; I nearly spit my coffee on the monitor when I read it. This market is so puny, it's laughable; someone imagining there's a "huge opportunity here" get's me giggling pretty good. I remember thinking the same thing about 12 years ago. It's reassuring to know that there's a never ending supply of beginners who've figured it all out though. [:-idea] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jseddy Posted November 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 I've tried to reply 4 times now only to get "page cannot be loaded", so this will be far more concise. Maybe I'll learn to c/p from Word in the future. Kurt, I'll be happy to send you a copy for free if I ever get that far. And you'll all be happy to know if this business model/plan is ridiculously out of reach with what I want to do, what I do end up with I'll make it shareware. First, I agree, that was an unfair comparison of software and was not my intention to offend anyone, so I will edit that out of respect. First lesson learned. Don't belittle anyone or product even unintentionally. Not good karma or attitude and frankly, I'm ashamed of myself for having sounded that way. Perhaps I'll learn my lesson better after I work up my business model/plan and decide to charge $3200 for my product. (see previous comment) Secondly, yes, I may very well be starting a hole too deep to crawl out of, become jaded and quietly go away, or; you all can enjoy watching as my enthusiasm and optimism slowly disintegrate away over time, which as we all know, on the internet, is far more entertaining than the former. At the very least, let's hope you guys get your "I told you so" chance and I become a better HI for it. Third, I'm not alone in this project, so as I'm a "newb", that's not the complete story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 Well, that's refreshing. Humility is a trait lacking in way too many folks entering this business. Sounds like you got your head in the right place. Mike & Mike; I feel bad for being a dickhead yesterday. I reread my post, & am ashamed; you guys are putting this great resource out here for all of us, & I get into a rant & diss the good guys unintentionally. Please accept my apologies for shooting my mouth off; it was poor behavior on my part. I'm downloading Inspect Express for another look right now..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Brown Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 Sorry guys I don't say much up here, as you know... There is some junk out there. I was just having a little problem ignoring the size of your paintbrush. I really think your comments rolled off the cuff anyway, must of hit a nerve or something. Our software isn't perfect and neither are our competitors but most of us work very hard on it. I know a few of my competitors and like them and think they offer a good product for the money also. Kurt you probably won't like all of our boiler plate comments but you can change them along with just about everything else... Jeff: I will also point out that the price of the software is nothing compared to the hours that an inspector puts into customizing it and making it their own. Once an inspector has committed to a software product they usually stay there. Unless your software is an absolutely huge improvement from what they are using they will not switch. You are left looking for the few new inspectors getting into business and competing with all the other companies for those few sales. It will take much more than a better mousetrap to make a business of it! Iââ¬â¢m not trying to hold you back just offering some reality before you have committed countless hours to a project and canââ¬â¢t turn back! No apologies needed... gave me a reason to do some advertising! Always looking for feedback! Michael Brown DevWave Software Inc. http://www.devwave.com Support: 1 250 743 1940 Sales: 1 888 739 4033 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jseddy Posted November 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2005 Mike, I apologize anyway. After re-reading the posts they do not reflect my personality and attitude in any way. They come off judgemental and overly critical, and at the very least, as a new business owner, that can be a self-fullfilling prophecy you don't want. I think my excitement got the best of me. But in the end, if it turns out this is something unreachable for me, far past my range of manageable knowledge, maybe I'll run it by you. See what you guys think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 3, 2005 Report Share Posted November 3, 2005 I like this place; folks got it together. So, I downloaded the software, & yes, it's nice. Damn nice. You're (Mike B.) commentary about how the real investment is in the customization is the truest thing in this thread; the time it takes makes the initial investment literally meaningless. This product looks like it is easily worth the time it would take to customize it to someone't requirements. I'm still playing w/it; it's good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackJack Posted November 3, 2005 Report Share Posted November 3, 2005 Originally posted by jseddy Maybe I'll learn to c/p from Word in the future. And you want to devolve a new software package? Just joking.....[:-slaphap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jseddy Posted November 4, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2005 OK. Looks like you guys might get your "I told you so" ass kicking party early. Just got back from meeting with a member of the OFEE(Organization for Entrepreneur Enterprise), Seems like I've actually got two products on my hands, and in reality, two different markets. Not that it's a problem, but I hadn't considered what I was giving away. I know, ambiguous, and it doesn't make a lot of sense. Just an update. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 4, 2005 Report Share Posted November 4, 2005 Another conundrum in the confoundment of the HI biz; so many ideas, so little market. Expanding the pie is in this biz is tricky enterprising. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradd Judd Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 Well, I'm using Inspectvue by Portervalley. What makes me cringe every time is when there is an update to the program...... Yes, It's adding features that I may need, but at the same time something goes wrong with other areas of the program. Incidentally, It goes wrong when I'm with the Client and at the Inspection site. I make my best attempt to update it at lulls in business, but If I wait too long, I have to order the disc (free of charge) and re-initiate the program.....not to mention the synchronization for my PDA. Having said that, if you intend to jump into the stiff competition of Inspection Software, you may want to design it for different regions of the country. Inspectvue appears to be geared for California/Western Region and I have had to chage a lot of my narratives to reflect the Chicagoland Burbs. Furthermore, I would suggest your updates to fine tune the program overall, as well as add new features, so that people like myself can stay focused on explaining (to the client) the content of the report as opposed to the missing content of the report. [^] Best of luck!!
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