Whether you own a home inspection company or plan to own one in the future, you'll need to invest in good inspection software. An inspection software provider can charge a flat rate for their software or can charge monthly for using their service.

Having the right inspection software will make or break your business. There is a lot of competition in the home inspection industry, but you can set yourself apart from the competition by doing the following:

1. Get inspection software demos to avoid spending valuable resources on programs that aren't a good fit.

2. Go green and boost customer satisfaction with inspection software that lets you share reports with customers online.

3. Invest in inspection software designed for handheld devices to create a fully functioning mobile office.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Try before you buy with free inspection software demos

You can find inspection software for sale on the Internet, but it's great when you can download a demonstration or a free trial. Testing out the product before you buy is an excellent way to determine whether it's sufficient for your business needs. Keep in mind that most free trials do not include all the functionality of the purchased product, but they do allow you to assess whether you should buy the software's full version.

I recommend: Download a free trial of Home Inspector Pro from Home Inspection Software. The trial version is compatible with Windows and Mac and boasts most of the full version's essential features. Contact PdmB to obtain a download of their PDspect home inspection software.

Go paperless using inspection software to send reports online

Everyone wants to go green these days, and you may be able to increase your business by offering paperless home inspections. Your clients and their realtors will be able to access your reports online, saving you printing, paper and postage costs. In addition, your clients can get your report on the day you do the home inspection so there's no waiting.

I recommend: Inspector FX, a home inspection software product made by New Image Software, features customizable reports and has the ability to synchronize office and field user data remotely. InspectFaster software has versions for Mac, Windows and Linux platforms and is affordably priced.

Work on the go with inspection software compatible with handheld devices

Inspection software designed for portable devices is ideal for busy home inspectors who spend little time in a conventional office. Although laptops are much lighter than they used to be, hauling one around for a home inspection can be inconvenient. Using inspection software on a handheld device can make it easier for you to maneuver through your clients' houses while taking notes.

I recommend: Get a free 30 day trial of Pocket HG from SHGI Corporation. The software will run on Pocket PCs and touch screen phones. American Home Inspectors Training sells InspectIt ReportPlus, which runs on handheld Pocket PC or Palm One devices.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Any inspection software provider you consider using should be able to provide you with an inspection software list that shows the merits of their product versus that of the competition. This list comparison can be beneficial to making your final vendor selection.