Meet Russell Buchanan Of HomeGauge Inspection Software

HomeGauge has two principals: Russell Buchanan, a licensed home inspector for 12 years and general contractor, and Sean Moore, a top level software developer with 20 years of experience working for companies like McDonnell-Douglas (DC), IBM (RTP) and Sun Microsystems(CA). They first met in October of 1997, when Sean bought a home that Russell inspected. An instant partnership was formed as Russell and Sean worked together many hours in creating the perfect software for home inspectors.

Here’s The Real Question…

Why Use HomeGauge Home Inspection Software Over All The Others?

Because it’s the most versatile and modifiable home inspection program on the market today…

The software includes several different inspection templates (commercial, residential, condo, multifamily, etc.). For many inspectors, it has all you will need. You can modify these templates and make new ones. Virtually anything in the software template can be easily modified. Change column headers (i.e. Good, Poor Unsatisfactory, Defective, etc.) to any rating you want. Or, eliminate all ratings and create a narrative template. Exclude inspection items or whole sections. Easily duplicate whole sections while you inspect (great for hotels, condos and multifamily units). Create automatic summaries, with or without pictures, and more. (We also support the mandatory Texas Template TREC REI 7A-1)

Support for Add-ons to your business to make more money!

HomeGauge software allows you to easily attach documents and brochures with the report to market other services you may offer. During the inspection you can determine which brochure(s) to include in the report that best fits them and the services you offer, such as granite countertop scanning for radon hot spots, radon testing for the air in the home, re-selling custom quality filters for air handlers, offering to remove odors with an ozone machine, offering energy audit testing, a comprehensive home warranty, and many more products and or services you can easily attach to the report! Simply click on the attachment button in the software and attach a brochure or brochures that are appropriate for each home. Make more money on the same inspection!
Drop in smart auto comments

All software has standard drop-in text, but HG has “Smart Sentences” as well! Smart sentences include Smart Words that allow you to click in replacement text and build sentences or paragraphs quickly. This eliminates long repetitive lists of auto-comments where only a word or two is different. Make your own smart sentences by watching our Tours. Currently, Smart Sentences use the IDEA method to let the inspector know when he has completed his comment: Identify the Defect, Explain and Advise.

Designed for use in the field

HomeGauge will run on Windows XP or Vista computers and Windows Mobile 5 or 6 Pocket PCs. You can perform your inspection onsite using a Tablet PC, laptop or a smaller Pocket PC device. Print it straight out of your truck (we’ll show you how). Or, use our website to upload your report and deliver it online. New-to-computer inspectors can print a Walk Sheet to take with them if they would rather come back to the office to complete the report.

Direct digital camera support

 HomeGauge is the easiest in picture use. No prepping of the pictures needed. Use straight from the camera, folder or hard-drive. Drop 100’s of pictures into the HomeGauge filmstrip in seconds! You can resize or crop photos, add arrows and other shapes pointing to problems, add text directly on the picture, add a grid, create a Picture in a Picture for thermal images, and adjust the picture’s contrast/brightness directly in the HomeGauge software. A picture is worth a thousand words and gets a jaw dropping display from customers.

Prints to PDF or easily upload and link your report to your website!

HG software comes with its own PDF ability for emailing or printing of the report. Or, use our HG Services to upload the report and send the agent and customer a link that will take them to your website to pick up the report. Agents will soon realize that anytime they need access to their reports they can go to your website from any computer with Internet access!

Includes line drawings

Includes a secondary filmstrip for line drawings. Beside the regular picture pane filmstrip is an additional filmstrip pane that displays your library of line drawings. Use ours, create your own, or add 3rd party line drawings to the many that are already included when you purchase HomeGauge software.

QuickBooks integration, and office features

Take the buyer and inspection info, including the invoice, and import it into HomeGauge from QuickBooks, or from HomeGauge software into QuickBooks. HG Office features include email template letters that populate names and info automatically. Use the HG stats page to determine how many inspections, from what areas, types of inspections performed, how much business from each agent, and more.

Many more features to help you run your business and run it efficiently

Spell checker, voice to text, picture jump button to automatically take the picture to the correct inspection item it belongs to in the report, online calendar scheduler integration (see HG Services) means that with one click the inspector can download his appointment into HG and it will populate the report, export buyers and agents info to mail managers or spreadsheets, include estimates, built in re-inspection feature brings back profitability in re-inspections…and much more. Watch our tours to learn more!

Use a Pocket PC / PDA (Windows Mobile 5, 6 or latest) to help give you more mobility!

Our Pocket HG is the perfect solution for more mobility. Flag items for later review, voice notes are automatically saved at that item and later you can search “Find First voice recording, Find Next voice recording”. No more rewinding back and forth. When you take a picture, click the camera icon at that item. Later, use the jump button at each picture and it will take you to the item where the picture belongs in the report! Merge reports easily. If you enter some work on the main version, and some on the pocket, you can merge to one report. Pocket HG Screen Shots

NEW! Competitor upgrade!

If you are looking to move from Porter Valley or 3D Software to HomeGauge 4, it is now easier than ever with our new Migration Assistant. This will convert your Porter Valley or 3D templates into HomeGauge templates. Try it out on your HomeGauge trial version. Download and install HG software and then click Download template migration tool! (make sure you have PV or 3D on the same computer as the HG trial)

All of this comes with FREE support via web message boards, email, and toll free phone.

Success stories from home inspectors

For 15 of my 17+ years as a Home Inspector I have been utilizing report writing software in one form or another. I have even assisted in the development of a couple of the more popular brands, and they all seemed to lack something. That is until now.

After reviewing HomeGauge 4, I have found the answer to my software frustrations. HomeGauge 4 is easy to learn, can be manipulated to fit any reporting style, and is operated on a stable platform. The ability to use HomeGauge 4 with a handheld device is not only convenient, but it reduces my reporting writing time considerably. And my clients rave about the online report retrieval service.

When reviewing their products, it is obvious that HomeGauge listened to the inspectors in the field and adopted those suggestions into their products. In my opinion, HomeGauge is the best home inspection software suite available.

Jim Turner, CRI
President — National Association of Home Inspectors
www.turnerinspections.com

I have been using your services for about four years and I must say I am very, very pleased. When I was studying to become a Home Inspector in 2001, I was concerned about using a sensible reporting method that was quick and easy to produce and read. Once I was ready to start my business, I researched the industry for a reporting method that made sense. I found that HomeGauge had the best set-up for a professional home inspector. HomeGauge could host my website, my client could schedule me through my website, get their reports through my website, and even pay me with a credit card on my website. This was great, not to mention the reporting software, training and support I received through HomeGauge. Finally, I liked the fact that everything was paperless and I could have a turnaround time within 24 hours. In other words, if I do a home inspection for you today, you will have your report in your email the next morning. How can you beat that kind of service? I have found in my four years in business as a home inspector, the fact that I am trained in home inspecting, fully ICC code certified, and continue with my education through GAHI, is not what sells my business. The HomeGauge reports and their services sell my business. I have had several clients compliment me on my website and services offered. All of the clients that I have done inspections for have told me that they love the report and the ease of receiving it over the Internet. Now, I am looking forward to pursuing additional training in the commercial inspection field and I plan to use the new HomeGauge commercial inspection template.

Thank you HomeGauge!

Keven J. Gehring
Your Assurance Home Inspections

I asked one of the home inspectors I often use for your name and contact information. I have been a Realtor for many years. I have recently had the enjoyment of seeing your HOMEGAUGE reporting system. One of the inspectors I use is Rocky Brenner of Accent Inspections, LLC of Byron, GA. The reports that are generated on HomeGauge are absolutely the easiest and most complete I have ever seen. It has been my pleasure to be served by your system. I wish all of the inspectors we deal with had this same service to offer. Thank you for your thought and application of HomeGauge Software.

Neil Johnson
Realtor, Golden Key Realty
Warner Robins, GA

You haven’t disappointed me yet, you “all” do an awesome job.

Let me qualify that statement with a little F.Y.I. I retired from IBM (over 35 years) a few years ago, I was one of the first in their PC support staff when they got into the PC business in 1981. While I was with them, I helped develop their PC Support, Internet and other systems. When I left, the support staff was over 1200 people supporting IBM Customers worldwide. I retired as a PC support Manager a few years ago. So when I say that the HomeGauge product, education, customer support and staff are awesome…. I think I’m more than qualified to make that statement.

Keep up the good work.

August (Augie) Olsen
2-4-1 Home Inspections, LLC

“… I am happy to say, now three months into my business, that I made the right decision with HomeGauge. In fact, I can honestly say that what I thought I was purchasing from HomeGauge was reporting software. Little did I know that what I actually purchased was an entire system for success in the home inspection business. The software is only the beginning of what HomeGauge has provided to me.

During the last several months, I have found myself greatly enjoying the software and its ability to be customized to meet my specific needs. But, in addition, I now have a professional looking website, the ability to accept credit cards, an internet driven distribution system for my reports, and an entire network of home inspection professionals that are very willing to share ideas with me and other home inspectors. The list goes on and I continue to find new things daily that I can use to help grow my business.

Thanks again for exceeding my expectations and helping me establish a successful home inspection business.”

Keith Hutcheson
Coastal Home Inspection Services

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