Best software for doing inspections with an iPad?

[Terrel L. Shields]

his isn't rocket science. Just try it. God forbid, you learn something new.

There is nothing new about math. The math rules still apply. You are complaining that no one makes an app that allows you to measure in tiny increments. There is a reason for that. It is neither necessary nor even mathematically defensible to measure in tenths but compare in feet. Why not inches? My disto allows it, or centimeters, I can do that too. The app that you desire apparently isn't available or you've not set it. As noted from the first, I offered that you had a choice, and someone said that there is perhaps a setting on the Total app...? And as jay said,

Why ??

The notion that incremental measurements are superior in the face of using a non-decimal number for everything else (comps, cost approach, etc) isn't a numerically superior method. If you think it looks better fine. But if you cannot find an app to do this, then perhaps you can get someone to create one for you. To me, the time spent trying to hold onto everything while shading the screen of a phone or tablet is far more time consuming that simply going to the house with a sketch from the assessor's office on my clipboard with a bankers clip to hold down the bottom of the page, from which I copy paste into an inspection sheet, then confirming or correcting the footage shown on their sketch. I am more interested in getting the job done efficiently than in patting myself on the back for having only the latest technology. And in bright sunlight, I have often resorted to the tape when I am unable to see the red dot, or give up in frustration peering thru that tiny target window towards the sun and picking out a target and the dot. Old eyes that can read a tape in bright sun without glasses are often faster than struggling with red glasses and red dots and walking back to a corner to set your clipboard for a target when you don't have an assistant to hold it.
ANSI was created as a voluntary standard. It leaves something to be desired. And it isn't even consistent with what architects do nor what surveyors do, or what builders do. And again, do we measure from the siding itself? or the outside corners (which adds about 1.5")? On a rock siding, which rock do we measure from? That one that bumps out the most? the least? For Wainscot where on/above the wainscot do we hang our target? The inherent imprecision of the starting points creates an uncertainty that no amount of decimals will correct.

 

[KHS445]

At what point does one switch from quantitative to qualitative? The discussion is centering around measuring to an exact number for the main dwelling. Is the same accuracy used to measure the basement, the basement finish area, stairway openings, two story foyers, second levels of cape COD and salt box style homes, the size of the garage (vs. the estimated number of cars it will hold), the view, the location, the condition, the quality, the age, the effective age, the yard shed (no foundation), yard building (foundation), pole barn, fencing, underground sprinkling, road/water frontage, size of water well, lot size, school district, proximity to family, friends & work, etc.?

Now that you have calculated everything regarding the square footage of the subject dwelling with great precision, how accurate are your comparables? Unless one has personally inspected, measured and made an independent judgement regarding absolutely every adjustment factor you will have tainted results. When the approximated information available for most comparables is used to complete a report, by default all you can end up with are approximate adjustments. While the subject measurements maybe absolutely accurate, the overall accuracy of the adjustments and ultimately the report can be no better than the least accurate information on which your based your decisions.

We also need to keep in mind that what we are doing is providing an estimate of "market value". At what level of accuracy do the typical buyer and seller base their decisions? What is the typical level of accuracy used by one's fellow appraisers?

Ultimately everyone needs to measure, inspect, research, etc. to the point where they are comfortable that they are able to complete a creditable report. I am sure even in our own work that level of comfort and accuracy will vary somewhat between a cabin on 40 acres and a high rise condo in a major city.

 

[ramrcdk]

SEEMS a bit OFF the Thread Title but...

How hard is it to measure a dog box with a tape or a laser? I saw an appraiser standing out on the sidewalk with a measuring wheel sighting in a front 60 foot wall of a residence, where the appraiser was more than 25 feet from the house. Oh, well, no wet grass on those gucci's or ferragamos. I thought, yeah, get a little closer so you don't strain your eyes.

"Around Here" Tax Man uses the wheel through ruts & sticks & a laser with a loose hand. (saw it with my own eyes, laser hitting the bushes, who knows)
Did you know it wasn't the tax man?
A Tape will not last as long as the metal hook on the end ...duuuu....because plastic tape expands over time. Just saying.

I remember well this short story: Second Appraisal Office with Built In Well Seasoned Appraisers : He was about 15 years older than me. At first I looked up to him even though he wasn't tall. Little by little he became small, never looked up again. He was really a funny guy & would befriend most anybody. A GOOD ol' Boy!
In a CE class one day he stood up to say: I round to the foot, always have always will & thats that and to adjust for square footage don't you divide the most similar sale SQ FT /SP # by 3? Come on, we know everyone does that, right?
Few months went by, it was a sale & the owners and their agent used the sketch found in the "professional" appraisal to market the property. Over by Southpark, Foxcroft, a large hO'mmme. House sold & closed, few months went by & the past owners attorney call our office & then showed up for a meeting & to look at a file. Seems every time he rounded to the nearest whatever ... he left seller's money on the table, so to speak.
So those that do, DO you round UP or Down? E&O called it a gross error. He settled, nearly lost the home he & his wife bought when they married. That previous year, his wife had passed on and he was the only one left to care after their young daughter. Nearly, homeless. As far as I know, he was never "turned in" to the AB.
Whatever just takes a few more minutes to get it as right as you can, may be worth it.
But then I grew up where my gran would say "if it ain't right...it's wrong" and my mom liked it so much I grew up with her saying it too.
Through the stress of hearing it constantly ...Light a candle for me or flip your bic' ...I must admit I AM A-N-A-L !!! Yes...yes I am. So, moral is: FOR ME right may not be accurate but it is RIGHT enough to call it "professional" because I have been brain-washed! Surely to say, I even enjoy the pain OF extra effort.

 

[gringogigante]

There is nothing new about math. The math rules still apply. You are complaining that no one makes an app that allows you to measure in tiny increments. There is a reason for that. It is neither necessary nor even mathematically defensible to measure in tenths but compare in feet. Why not inches? My disto allows it, or centimeters, I can do that too. The app that you desire apparently isn't available or you've not set it. As noted from the first, I offered that you had a choice, and someone said that there is perhaps a setting on the Total app...? And as jay said,
The notion that incremental measurements are superior in the face of using a non-decimal number for everything else (comps, cost approach, etc) isn't a numerically superior method. If you think it looks better fine. But if you cannot find an app to do this, then perhaps you can get someone to create one for you. To me, the time spent trying to hold onto everything while shading the screen of a phone or tablet is far more time consuming that simply going to the house with a sketch from the assessor's office on my clipboard with a bankers clip to hold down the bottom of the page, from which I copy paste into an inspection sheet, then confirming or correcting the footage shown on their sketch. I am more interested in getting the job done efficiently than in patting myself on the back for having only the latest technology. And in bright sunlight, I have often resorted to the tape when I am unable to see the red dot, or give up in frustration peering thru that tiny target window towards the sun and picking out a target and the dot. Old eyes that can read a tape in bright sun without glasses are often faster than struggling with red glasses and red dots and walking back to a corner to set your clipboard for a target when you don't have an assistant to hold it.
ANSI was created as a voluntary standard. It leaves something to be desired. And it isn't even consistent with what architects do nor what surveyors do, or what builders do. And again, do we measure from the siding itself? or the outside corners (which adds about 1.5")? On a rock siding, which rock do we measure from? That one that bumps out the most? the least? For Wainscot where on/above the wainscot do we hang our target? The inherent imprecision of the starting points creates an uncertainty that no amount of decimals will correct.

I wasn't complaining about that? I was asking if there were any apps outside of Total because ACI doesn't have any similar table sketch software. And the app that was suggested was SFREP not Total. Total DOES allow measurements to tenths of an inch. I just don't have total.

I've decided that I will stick with my old tried and true clipboard and paper though. Just easier, quicker, and way way cheaper.

ANSI stardards are voluntary and aren't perfect. But they are a standard that has been adopted by our intended users. So, again I say do whatever you want. But if there's a way the people that pay us want us to use, then why not? It's not rocket science. If one rock on a wall sticks out too far, one doesn't stick out very far at all, and one is in the middle.....choose the middle. No its not accurate to the millimeter, but it's MORE accurate than to the foot. To the foot measurements produce innacurate results.

But to each his own. Agree to disagree. Thanks for the spirited conversation and all the suggestions! These make us all better I believe.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

wners and their agent used the sketch found in the "professional" appraisal

Are you saying they made an "error" based on not measuring to the tenth instead of by the foot? How far off could you be?

 

[ramrcdk]

Are you saying they made an "error" based on not measuring to the tenth instead of by the foot? How far off could you be?

Nope, the post was crystal.
...hummm how far OFF could... I ... be to what ??? rounding to the nearest bar? not far.
Poking