Home Inspection 2000 Software

Frequently Asked Questions

We recommend you print this page for reference as you compare us with our competition.  If you still have a question we have not answered Click Here

Question:   What are the minimum system requirements?
Answer:     The minimum requirements are pretty basic:
CPU Speed:              50 mhz
RAM:                       16 mb
Disk Space:              25 mb Available on Hard Drive
Pointing Device:       Mouse or Touch Pad
Operating System:   Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP (Version 5.0 does not fully support XP or 2000).

Question:   Does your report meet ASHI standards of practice?
Answer:     Yes! The software will generate the report based on the Inspector's inputs. For  instance we provide an input for how a roof was inspected (walked, ladder, binoculars, etc,). If the Inspector fails to select how the roof was inspected, then it won't be mentioned on the report. The software will meet or exceed any standards but the final report is, as always, in the Inspectors' hands.

Question:   I currently use a pre-printed form. Why would I want to switch?
Answer:     There is no reason to switch to the narrative report style if you and your clients are content with your report. The purpose of Home Inspection 2000 software is to provide the home inspector with an optional means of producing reports. It is also an economical means to produce home inspection reports. You don't need extra forms for extra bathrooms. You don't need to keep inventory on what forms are available and what needs to be ordered. Most of all you, don't have the expense involved in re-stocking forms. As a rule narrative reports are just less confusing to the homebuyer, Real Estate agent, and the Inspector.  If you would like to view a sample of the Narrative Report   Click Here.

Question:   How much time does it take to produce  your report?
Answer:     This is dependent upon several considerations:  Mainly, the size of the building and the condition.  If you're inspecting a two bedroom townhouse that is in relatively good condition, it will take as little as 15 minutes. 

Question:   Why does your Main Menu contain so many items?
Answer:      We designed our software on two basic premises, Speed and Accuracy. By having the various items placed on the Menu, the inspector does not have to search for it. If he needs it, then it is there for selection. For instance a vent well may be an infrequent occurrence. If the inspection being performed does not include a vent well, then simply do not select it. It will not show up on the report as being checked or unchecked. It will simply not show up at all. In the event there is a vent well and there is a problem associated with it, then you're only a click away from putting it on the report and describing the problem.  To view a samples of our menus Click Here.

Question:   Can I shorten or reduce the number of items on the Main Menu?
Answer:     Yes! Version 5 incorporates a "Template Function". Templates basically allow you to customize the Main Menu. You select the items you want to appear on the Main Menu. You can give it a name, location, description, etc. You then save the Template and when you're ready to do an inspection, simply select the Template you desire and you're ready to perform an inspection using your own customized menu.  To view a sample of template menus Click Here
To view a comparison between Both   Click Here

Question:   How many Templates can I build?
Answer:    You are only limited by disk space. Even then you can save the templates to a floppy disk.

Question:   Do I have to build Templates?
Answer:     No!  This is an option included in the program and is for you to decide whether to use, or not.  Templates were designed so that the home inspector could abbreviate his Menu and also have some items preset. For instance a template could be created for a 3 bedroom 2 ½ bath. The first bedroom on the menu could be preset as the Master Bedroom. The same could be done for the first bathroom being preset as the Master Bath and the ½ bath preset to Powder Room. Templates have been incorporated to save the inspector time.

Question:   What if my Template was set up for 2 ½ baths and then I discover that there are only 2 baths in the house?
Answer:     This is not a problem. Simply don't include the ½ bath in the report. If it was determined that the ½ bath was a full bath then the description can be changed to show it as a full bath. Templates can be modified at any time during the inspection. Items can be added or deleted, descriptions and locations can be changed.

Question:  Won't changing my Template during the Inspection destroy my Template?
Answer:     No! A Template is initially created and then saved to disk. At the time of an inspection you simply open the Template and perform your inspection. At this point you basically have a file. You can save this file as an inspection, which would be considered normal, or you can save it as a Template. You could save it as a Template with the same name, which would overwrite the original, or you can save the Template using a new name, thus creating a new template altogether. The last option would be not saving the file at all, which will not change the integrity of the original Template.

Question:   When I select an item from the Main Menu where will the program take me?
Answer:     The examples on the Web page show that when an item is selected from the Main Menu you will be taken to a "form" specific for that item you selected. A form can be thought of as a check off sheet or checklist that needs to be filled out. Each form is unique to the item being inspected.

Question:   What if I don't fill out all the information on the "form" that I was taken to?
Answer:     Only the information that is selected (filled in or checked) will be incorporated into the report. For instance the "form" for roofing allows the inspector to put in an approximate age of the roof. If it is not filled in then the age of the roof will not be mentioned in the report at all.

Question:   What is the purpose of the "Good" and "Bad" buttons on each "form"?
Answer:      The Main Inspection report contains information on every item that was inspected. When the "Good" button is selected the Main Inspection Report is updated with the information that was selected and essentially reports that the item was in normal condition. When the "Bad" Button is selected the Main report will still contain the information that was selected but in addition it will alert the reader to the Summary Report.

Question:   What if I want to make an additional comment on an item that is being inspected?
Answer:     There are two methods available to make any additional comments for any item being inspected. One is by using the Overall Evaluation report and the other is the Summary Report. Generally all comments concerning a particular item should be placed on the Summary Report. The Overall Evaluation was designed for health and safety concerns but it can be utilized to include any comment you wish to make.

Question:   In order to add a comment to the Summary Report I have to select the "Bad" button on the items' "form" even though the item isn't "Bad".
Answer:     The "Bad" button is labeled as such because normally if an item is to be placed on the Summary Report it is due to some inadequacy or failure of that item. The Summary Report should also indicate warnings or advice that the home inspector should give to his client. This advice or warning needs to be isolated from the Main report as it can be hidden or hard to find if only listed in the Main Report. By referring the reader to the Summary Report from the Main Report you emphasize that there is additional information about the item. The "Bad" button is nothing more than a link to the Summary Report. Any item selected as "Bad" will appear on the Summary Report as well as the Main Report. The "Bad" button could also be labeled "To Summary" or "Comment". Again the "Good" and "Bad" buttons just direct the information to the proper report. Selecting the "Good" button prevents the item from appearing on the Summary Report.

Question:   What exactly is the Master Library?
Answer:     The Master Library is a list of common problems and comments associated with the various items inspected during a routine Home Inspection. Version 5 comes with over 4,500 of these problems and comments.

Question:   How do I access the Master Library?
Answer:     Any time that you use the "Bad" button on any "form" you will be taken to the Master Library. At this point you can select items from the Master Library and place them directly on the Summary Report simply by double clicking the left mouse button.

Question:   With over 4,500 items in the Master Library won't that take a long time to scroll through?
Answer:     No. The list that will be displayed will be specific to the item being inspected. For instance, if you are inspecting the sink in a bathroom then only those items pertaining to the sink will be displayed. The items in that list may only number 5.

Question:   What if I have a problem with an item and it is not in the Master Library? How do I get it to the Summary Report?
Answer:    Easy! You can just type in the information to the Summary Report directly.

Question:   If I would like to make a permanent addition to the Master Library will I be able to do it?
Answer:    Yes! The Master Library itself is fully editable. What this means is that you can add any comment to the Master Library and it will remain there until you delete it. In addition you can re-word the comments in the Master Library to suit your own description of an item. There is no limit as to how many items you can add to the Master Library or to the description itself.

Question:   What is the purpose of the Master Library?
Answer:     The intent of the Library is to save the inspector time. How many times have you had to type in or write down that the gutters are in need of cleaning, or that there are missing shingles on the roof? The Library allows you to enter these comments and when the need arises to insert them into the report, select it from the Master Library, double-click the right mouse button and it's on the report. This will save you time in typing the same information over and over again.

Question:   How do I update my Master Library if I upgrade to a new computer and re-install your software?
Answer:    We realized this as a major area of concern and have included the capability to save the Master Library to diskette from the Main Menu. It is always a good idea to do a Master Library backup from time to time just in case there is a hardware problem that would require a re-install. When you re-install the software, then restore the Master Library from the diskette.

Question:   Can I do code compliant reports using your software?
Answer:     The software was not specifically designed to do a specific code compliant report, however the edit capabilities in the Master Library will allow you to insert the specific code for any item or problem with that item. You can essentially build a complete code compliant report but you will have tailor the Master Library for the particular code. Once the codes are in the Master Library you will have access to the codes for all your subsequent inspections.

Question:   Does your software allow for written cost estimates?
Answer:    The software will not generate a specific cost estimate. By utilizing the Master Library you can insert the cost estimate as a permanent comment or you can insert it into the Summary Report itself. Should you desire to total these estimates at the conclusion of the inspection it will have to be done manually.

Question:   Will I be able to do EIFS inspections using your software?
Answer:     The software was not initially designed for EIFS reporting. In most areas in the country it requires special accreditation to perform this type of inspection. In order to accommodate those inspectors who have this accreditation Version 5 includes an "Additional" category. This "Additional" category will allow you to essentially generate your own inspection report. This can apply to Radon, Lead, Septic Systems, Soil, Asbestos, Wells, Radon Testing, Septic systems, Pools & Spas, geological hazards, Pest control, flood zones, in addition to EIFS. The report can be created using the Template function or as a Special inspection.

Question:   Is there any way that I can look at the Inspection report as I am creating it?
Answer:     Yes! You can preview the report at any time during the course of the inspection. This will become second nature to you as you begin using the software.

Question:  What is the purpose of the N/A feature on the forms"?
Answer:     The N/A feature will do two things. First it will remove the item from both the Main Report and the Summary and it will also apply a check mark next to the item on the Main Menu.

Question:  What is the purpose of the check marks next to the items on the Main Menu while I am conducting an inspection?
Answer:     The check marks are placed next any item that has been inspected or selected as N/A. This allows the inspector to look at the Main Menu and see what has been checked and what hasn't been checked. It essentially acts as a visual checklist.

Question:   Once an item has been checked as being inspected can it still be changed?
Answer:     Yes! Any item at any time can be checked, changed, or selected as N/A. If the item was checked by mistake and it is desired to exclude it from the report the N/A button will perform this task.

Question:  What is the purpose of the Print Form selection on all the "forms"?
Answer:     The Print Form button allows you to print any form in the event you need a check list for that specific item. If you have set up your computer in a centrally located area of the home, you may want to print a checklist for the crawl space, inspect the crawl space, then return to the computer and enter the information. This function may be seldom used but it is available.

Question:   A lot of the forms have "Other" as a selection. What will the report indicate should I choose the "Other" selection.
Answer:     Our selections on the forms are, for the most part, the most common options available for selection. If your particular description is not on the list, the other function will allow you to insert the actual description that applies.

Question:   I would like to include photos with my report. Does your software incorporate this feature?
Answer:   No. We had to make a major decision in this area for Version 5. The old adage "a picture is worth a thousand words" was debated and debated. We felt that a picture may be worth a thousand questions, each requiring another picture. If a picture is needed there are other alternatives. We decided that a good sentence is worth a thousand pictures and to keep the report strictly narrative.

Question:  Do your future plans for your software include the incorporation of digital photos?
Answer:     We will continue to listen to the input of our users. If the demand is there then of course we will incorporate this feature.

Question:  Is your software satisfaction guaranteed.?

Answer:  We provide a full featured Demo Version, either by Download or a CD mailed to you directly.  The only difference between the actual software and the Demo Version is that the Demo Version  prints "Demo Version".  Otherwise you have full access to the software. 

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