Property inspection is a responsibility handled by management companies for house owners. This is generally done to account for damages and coordinate repairs before a house can be leased or purchased. While there is already the existence of property inspection software today, many companies are still stuck with the traditional clipboard-and-camera procedure. Unaware of the exceptional benefits of using a dedicated software or app, brokers, managers, and support staff unknowingly waste time and resources by manually writing reports by hand.
Here are the steps involved when it comes to the traditional property inspection process.
Obtaining the property inspection list
The first step that an inspector undertakes is to go to the office to procure a copy of the property inspection list. Certain items can be added to this list, especially when the owner makes a request to check specific areas of the property. Thereafter, the inspector gets the address of the assigned house and may print directions to map out his route.
Conducting the inspection
Upon arriving at the location, the inspector will now conduct the next steps of the traditional property inspection process. With his clipboard and papers, he enters the premises and ticks the boxes found in his checklist, makes side notes, and records all damages that have to be taken care of. From time to time, he may also formulate theories on what could have caused the damages. He can also recommend the types of repairs necessary in order to bring back a particular item or area of the house to its former glory.
Taking photos as proof
A very important step to conduct is to take pictures using a digital camera. The inspector roams around the house and tries to get a clear picture of all rooms, paying special attention to damages and dilapidations. For a technologically challenged inspector, photos taken may be blurry and even prove to be of little value once formatted in the computer. Furthermore, the files found in the camera’s storage may also be corrupted or damaged if the camera used is an old one.
Formatting the property inspection report
Before the inspector can head back to the office, the final step is to complete the report and make sure that no item is missed on the checklist. He must also secure the house by making sure that all entrances are locked. The painstaking part would be to format the written report and to transcribe the text for a computerized version. Pictures will also have to be sorted out in the computer and be arranged in the right sequence in order to submit a visual report to the property owner.
An accurate report using the traditional inspection process therefore takes time and effort. When compared to using software or apps, it makes sense that hundreds of companies today are transitioning to a digital process with the use of mobile phones and tablets. Aside from saving time and resources, inspectors get to hand in reports that are more accurate by relying on the robotic consistency of modern technology.
