Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about Home Inspector Buddy™ and how it can transform your inspection business.
General
Learn about Home Inspector Buddy™ and how it works.
Getting Started
Everything you need to know to get up and running.
Pricing & Plans
Learn about our pricing options and what's included.
General
What is Home Inspector Buddy™?
Home Inspector Buddy™ is an AI-powered platform designed for both property professionals and homeowners. For inspectors, our software streamlines the inspection process with intelligent templates and automated report generation. For realtors and homeowners, it provides tools to identify and document potential issues with properties, with the option to request professional reviews from certified inspectors. This dual approach helps everyone involved in property transactions make more informed decisions.
Why should I use Home Inspector Buddy™?
Home Inspector Buddy™ saves you time, reduces errors, and helps you deliver more professional reports. Our users report saving 30-50% of their report-writing time, allowing them to conduct more inspections or improve their work-life balance. The platform also helps standardize your inspection process, ensuring nothing is overlooked and reducing your liability.
Who is Home Inspector Buddy™ for?
Home Inspector Buddy™ serves three main user groups:
Professional Home Inspectors: Whether you're a solo inspector or part of a larger firm, our platform streamlines your workflow, standardizes reporting, and opens a new revenue stream through remote reviews.
Real Estate Agents: For realtors who want to provide added value to clients, identify potential issues early in the process, and have documentation to support negotiation discussions.
Homeowners: For current homeowners monitoring their property's condition or prospective buyers who want to document concerns before committing to a full inspection or making an offer.
How secure is my data?
We take data security very seriously. All your data is encrypted both in transit and at rest, and we follow industry best practices for security. We utilize secure cloud infrastructure with regular backups and strict access controls. Your clients' personal information and property details are always protected, and we never share your data with third parties without your explicit permission.
Getting Started
How do I sign up?
Signing up for Home Inspector Buddy™ is simple. Just click the "Get Started" button on our homepage, select your preferred plan, and follow the registration process. You'll need to provide basic contact information and set up your account credentials. Once registered, you'll have immediate access to the platform and can begin customizing it for your inspection business.
Do I need training to use it?
Home Inspector Buddy™ is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, but we do offer resources to help you get the most out of the platform. For those who want more personalized guidance, we offer one-on-one training sessions with our customer success team.
Can I use it on my mobile device?
Yes! Home Inspector Buddy™ is fully optimized for mobile use. This allows you to conduct inspections, take photos, add notes, and even generate reports directly from your mobile device while on-site, without needing to transfer data to a desktop computer later.
How soon can I conduct my first inspection?
You can conduct your first inspection immediately after setting up your account. However, we recommend spending 1-2 hours familiarizing yourself with the platform and customizing your templates before your first live inspection. Many inspectors find it valuable to run a practice inspection on their own home to get comfortable with the workflow. Our FAQ guide can help you familiarize yourself with the system so you can get to work right away.
Pricing & Plans
What pricing plans are available?
We offer two specialized plans designed for different user needs:
Realtor/Homeowner Plan ($19.99/month): Perfect for real estate professionals and homeowners who want to identify potential issues with properties. This plan allows you to document concerns and request professional inspector reviews when needed.
Inspector Plan ($49.99/month): Designed for professional home inspectors with all the advanced tools needed to conduct thorough inspections, generate comprehensive reports, and offer review services to Realtor/Homeowner plan users for additional revenue.
Is there a free trial?
Yes, we offer a 7-day free trial that gives you full access to all features in either plan. A credit card is required to start your trial, but you won't be charged if you cancel before the trial period ends. This allows you to thoroughly test the platform and ensure it meets your needs before committing to a subscription. During your trial, you can explore all features and see exactly how Home Inspector Buddy™ will benefit you, whether you're a real estate professional, homeowner, or inspector.
How do Realtors and Homeowners use Home Inspector Buddy™?
Realtors and homeowners use Home Inspector Buddy™ to document potential issues they notice during property viewings or in their current homes. The platform guides users through different areas of the home with simple checklists and allows photo documentation. If you identify concerns that require professional assessment, you can request a review from a certified inspector directly through the platform. This helps you make more informed decisions about properties and potentially negotiate repairs or price adjustments with comprehensive documentation to support your position.
How do inspector reviews work?
When a Realtor or homeowner identifies potential issues using our platform, they can request a professional review from a certified inspector. Inspectors on our platform receive these requests and can choose to provide their expert assessment for an additional fee they set. Inspectors review the submitted documentation and photos, then provide professional insights about the severity of issues, potential repair costs, and recommendations. This creates an additional revenue stream for inspectors while giving Realtors and homeowners access to professional expertise without necessarily scheduling a full on-site inspection.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover) for both monthly and annual subscriptions. All payment processing is handled securely through our trusted payment processors, ensuring your financial information remains protected.
How do I cancel my subscription?
You can cancel your subscription at any time from your account settings page. Simply log in, navigate to "Settings", and click "Cancel Subscription." Your service will continue until the end of your current billing period, and you won't be charged again after that. We do not charge cancellation fees.
Technical Questions
How does the AI image analysis work?
Our AI system analyzes photos you upload during property inspections. It has been trained on thousands of property images to identify structural issues, safety hazards, and code violations. The AI looks for specific visual patterns that indicate problems like water damage, structural cracks, electrical hazards, and more. For each identified issue, the system classifies its severity (Minor, Moderate, Major) and provides a detailed explanation of the problem along with regional code references where applicable.
What types of reports can I generate?
Home Inspector Buddy™ supports multiple report formats to meet different needs. Available report types include General Home Inspection reports, NACA-compliant reports, 4-Point Inspection reports (commonly required by insurance companies), and Wind Mitigation reports. Each report type follows industry standards and includes all required sections, checklists, and documentation. Reports can be downloaded as PDF documents for easy sharing with clients.
How accurate is the repair cost calculator?
Our repair cost calculator provides estimates based on national and regional averages for common repairs, updated quarterly. The calculator factors in the severity of the issue, scope of the repair, typical labor costs in your region, and current material costs. While these estimates are useful for initial budgeting and discussions, we always recommend getting quotes from local contractors for precise pricing. The calculator gives both average costs and typical ranges to account for variations in quality, materials, and local market conditions.
How does inspector collaboration work?
When a Realtor or homeowner using our platform identifies potential issues, they can request a professional review from a certified inspector. These requests enter a queue where verified inspectors can choose to provide their expert assessment for a fee they set. The inspector reviews the AI findings and photos, then provides professional insights about the severity of issues, potential repair costs, and recommendations. Users can also opt for priority review to get faster responses when time is critical, such as during a short inspection contingency period.
Does the platform cover all regional building codes?
Home Inspector Buddy™ maintains a comprehensive database of building codes that is regularly updated as codes change. Our system currently covers major national codes (ICC, NFPA, etc.) and specific regional codes for most U.S. states. When an issue is identified, the system references the applicable code sections for your region. In areas with highly specific local amendments, our professional inspector review option can provide additional clarification on local code requirements that may not be fully captured in our database.
Can I export my data?
Yes, all users can export their data in pdf format.
How does the mobile functionality work?
Home Inspector Buddy™ is fully responsive and works on any device with a modern web browser. The mobile version includes all core functionality, allowing you to conduct complete inspections, take and analyze photos, generate reports, and manage client communications entirely from your smartphone or tablet.
Still Have Questions?
If you couldn't find the answer you were looking for, our support team is here to help.