Create Custom Reports

Once you have saved your "Standard Report", the remaining pages will be hidden from view so that you have an uncluttered view of your Standard Report.  You can reveal additional pages at any time by again selecting the "Set Standard Print Report" command from the trademarked XL Pro Command Bar.

Narrative Sections

There are times when a standard drop down comment will just not be enough.  You may need to describe a defect or deficiency in more detail than most.  When you encounter an unusual situation, you may want to add a more detailed description so that the client is sure to understand the nature of the problem.  XL Pro Platinum Edition includes complete narrative only sections for every one of the section in the report.  You can even do an entirely narrative report if you want to.  You can also add photographs directly into the narrative text boxes by using the photo insertion button from the XL Pro Command Bar.
 

Symbols and Icons Library

Give your reports visual impact.  Instead of simple check marks and X's in the check boxes, you can also insert  any of the 56 symbols and icons.  It only takes two mouse clicks to insert a symbol or icon from the library.  First, click on the Symbols Command on the XL Pro Command Bar, the click on the symbol or icon you want to place in the box.  The entire operation can be performed in ONE SECOND! 

Use Icons in your report to identify the need for repair.  The top row of icons in the screen shot to the left can be used to identify the different levels of maintenance required.  A BROOM indicates that an item needs to be cleaned or needs routine maintenance.  A PAINT BRUSH indicates a higher level of maintenance such a need to paint bare wood. 

The WRENCH and PAINTBRUSH icon indicates more than simple maintenance is need.  It indicates that a minor repair is needed.  The HAMMER and SAW and the POWER SAW icons indicate that major repairs are needed. 

The $ icon can also be used to identify a major defect or deficiency.  The T-SQUARE and TRIANGLE icon indicates that there is a design defect or deficiency.  The international symbols can be used to bring items to the client's attention without necessarily identifying them as defects or deficiencies.  Perhaps you want to bring a non-standard construction item or a feature that will require unusual maintenance to the client's attention.  You may want to use the International ATTENTION (yellow triangle with an exclamation point) symbol.  You may want to alert the client of a need to perform routine maintenance such as changing furnace filters.  The international INFORMATION symbol (lower case "i" in a cartoon balloon).

You will often find an attic or crawlspace filled with junk.  If you are not already including excessive clutter in your reports, you should be!  That junk affects your ability to do a proper inspection by restricting access to areas that you would like to see and need to see.  It also can represent a significant cost to the home buyer if the seller leaves the junk behind for the buyer to clean out.   The TRASH BAG icon is an effective way to point out to the client that you were restricted in an area and that the area needs to be cleaned out.   This is something that very few home inspectors do but clients appreciate knowing about excessive clutter in areas that they can't easily see!  

Other symbols allow you to visually identify common components such as a FIREPLACE, TREES and SHRUBS, PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, FIRE HAZARDS, TOXIC HAZARDS, and so on.  Your reports will be easier to read and will look good when you use symbols and icons in key locations throughout the report.