Blog

Field notes for inspectors

Practical workflows, photo standards, and business math for working inspectors — written from the field, for the field.

Mobile · New

InspectDeck for Android is live on Google Play

3 min read · October 2026

Offline field inspections and on-site photos on your phone or tablet. Same .inspecx file — export the PDF on the Windows desktop app.

Read: Android app live →
Buyer guide

How much does a home inspection cost?

5 min read · October 2026

Most buyers pay $300–$500 for a standard inspection. What moves the number — and how to compare quotes without buying on price alone.

Read: inspection costs →
Buyer guide

Red flags: 7 findings to take seriously

5 min read · October 2026

Foundation, water, electrical, roof, HVAC, plumbing, drainage — the findings that deserve a second look and usually a specialist quote.

Read: red flags →
Buyer guide

After the inspection: repairs, credits & re-inspections

5 min read · October 2026

Sort by safety and structure, negotiate repairs or credits, and verify the work before closing. Which report section goes to the agent.

Read: after the inspection →
Field craft

Crawlspaces & attics without the misery

5 min read · October 2026

Photo-first coverage of the worst spaces in the house — gear, order, the defects that matter — with zero signal required.

Read: crawlspace & attic workflow →
Field craft

GFCI & electrical write-ups that hold up

5 min read · October 2026

Missing GFCI, open grounds, double-tapped breakers: phrased cleanly, photographed properly, backed by scope language.

Read: electrical write-ups →
New features

Florida add-ons in one file + equipment age lookup

2 min read · Updated September 2026

Attach 4-point and wind mitigation to the same inspection file, and decode HVAC, water heater, and appliance ages from serial numbers — both included in the single plan.

Read: Florida add-ons →
Workflow

How to finish the report on-site (not at midnight)

6 min read · Updated September 2026

The late-night report grind is a workflow problem, not a work-ethic problem. Here is the exact on-site flow that gets most InspectDeck users to a deliverable report before they leave the driveway.

Read: finish on-site →
4-point & wind mit

What underwriters actually want in photos

4 min read · Updated September 2026

Most insurance callbacks are not about what you inspected — they are about what the photo does not prove. The six shots that keep 4-point and wind mitigation files moving.

Read: underwriter photos →
Business

Flat monthly vs per-report pricing: the math

3 min read · Updated September 2026

At 8 inspections a month, per-report billing quietly costs more than InspectDeck's single $59 plan — and it taxes your busiest months hardest. Full breakdown inside.

Read: pricing math →
Equipment

Equipment age lookup: serials to report-ready ages

4 min read · October 2026

Type, brand and serial decode HVAC, water heater and appliance manufacture dates, ages and lifespans — with a copy-ready report line. 3 free trial decodes.

Read: equipment age lookup →
Trial

From 3-day trial to paid: unlock without reinstalling

4 min read · October 2026

Evaluate free for three days, then subscribe and sign in. Same install, same files — export and print simply switch on.

Read: trial to paid →
Setup

Installing InspectDeck: SmartScreen, requirements, first launch

3 min read · October 2026

The scary SmartScreen dialog is expected — the installer is currently unsigned. Three clicks past it and you are inspecting.

Read: install guide →
Workflow

Your jobs are single files: backup and move .inspecx

3 min read · October 2026

One file per job carries the report, Florida forms, equipment log and every photo. Copy it to move PCs, back it up normally.

Read: backup jobs →
Photos

Photo markup that doesn't destroy evidence

4 min read · October 2026

Arrows, boxes, circles, freehand and text over triple-copy photos. Mark up freely — originals stay pristine until export.

Read: photo markup →
Walkthrough

A faster full home inspection, start to PDF

6 min read · October 2026

Pre-sale flow: pre-structured template, assisted findings, photos that keep up, same-day PDF. Offline-first, so dead zones cost nothing.

Read: full inspection →
Walkthrough

1-year builder warranty without the punch-list chaos

5 min read · October 2026

Warranty template plus punch list plus photo proof per deficiency — a builder-ready summary instead of a spreadsheet.

Read: builder warranty →
Walkthrough

Rental move-in and move-out, settled fast

4 min read · October 2026

One rental card for both directions, condition records with photos, rental report style. Deposit disputes end at documentation.

Read: rental inspections →
Walkthrough

The 4-point field pass that feeds the form

5 min read · October 2026

Five systems, photo proof, autofilled Florida form, flattened PDF. The retyping step most tools force on you doesn't exist.

Read: 4-point walkthrough →
General knowledge

How long does a home inspection take?

4 min read · October 2026

2–4 hours on site for most homes, plus report time. What moves the number — and how same-day reporting happens.

Read: inspection time →
General knowledge

What do home inspectors check?

6 min read · October 2026

Site to attic to crawlspace to every room: the standard scope, plus common exclusions buyers should know.

Read: what inspectors check →
General knowledge

How to read your home inspection report

4 min read · October 2026

Full report for you, repair summary for negotiation, condition record for rentals. Which goes where.

Read: how to read reports →
General knowledge

When to get a home inspection: 5 moments that pay

4 min read · October 2026

Buying is one. Pre-listing, warranty expiry, annual checkups and turnovers are the other four.

Read: when to inspect →
General knowledge

Insurance inspections explained: 4-point + wind mitigation

5 min read · October 2026

What insurers want checked, what photos they demand, and how the official forms work.

Read: insurance inspections →