Interactive TrainingHomeGauge Software & Internet Services Tours
The following tours and tutorials will show you the power and flexibility of the HomeGauge software. The tours use Macromedia Flash which you probably already have on your computer. But if you have trouble viewing the tours then you might want to try to install the Flash Player by clicking here.
Introduction to HomeGauge
Viewed: Intro to HomeGauge Software
New Feature! Viewed: Work Scope - Create a quote or estimate with contract from the report
Initial Setup
Viewed: Inserting your logo and other trade logos on the cover page of your report
Viewed: Inserting your contract agreement into the report
Viewed: Customize the Interface (4min-31sec) How to modify the software workspace to suit your preferences.
Getting Started
Viewed: Selecting or Choosing Templates
Viewed: Building a report with pictures
Viewed: Editing Column Headers, Report Intros, and Section Overviews
Viewed: Template Toolbar Introduction - How to use the template toolbar to modify your report templates.
Report Comments
Viewed: Smart Sentences Part 1 - Save time entering comments by using auto comments.
Viewed: Smart Sentences Part 2 - Learn to use and edit smart sentences on-the-fly.
Viewed: Smart Sentences Part 3 - How to build your own smart sentences from scratch.
Viewed: Smart Sentences Part 4 - Build your own smart sentences, continued.
Viewed: Auto Comments Part 1 - Detailed training on how to work with auto comments in HomeGauge.
Viewed: Auto Comments Part 2 - Adding auto comments to your template.
Viewed: Auto Comments Part 3 - Global and Local auto comment lists explained.
Viewed: Auto Comment Filter (1min-56sec) Use the filters to make it easier to find auto comments.
Viewed: Insert Auto Comments As Itemized (1min-49sec) How to insert auto comments as itemized directly from the auto comment selection window.
Viewed: Import/Export Comments Between Templates How to move comments from one template to another.
Photos and Images
Viewed: Building a report with pictures
Viewed: Image Overlay - How to layer images in the image editor
Viewed: Line Drawing Subfolders - How to use and organize line drawings in HomeGauge
Viewed: Rotating Arrows - Get your arrows in your pictures exactly as you want them
Viewed: Sketch Tool Tutorial - See how this has been improved in HG
Viewed: Auto Drop Dimensions Tool Tutorial - A great time saver, especially for energy surveys
Energy Templates
Viewed: Home Energy Survey Template - See how to use this new template with spreadsheet calculations
Viewed: BPI CAS Template Tutorial - See how to use the Combustion Appliance Safety template
Viewed: Renaming Styles and Materials - Individual section names can be renamed
Viewed: Auto Drop Dimensions Tool Tutorial - A great time saver, especially for energy surveys
Viewed: Work Scope - Create a quote or estimate with contract from the report
PDF Forms
Viewed: PDF Forms Overview - An overview on adding/editing pdf forms in HomeGauge
Extra Features
Viewed: Copy and Paste - An overview on different ways to copy/paste inspection items, report sections and comments
Viewed: Customer Page - Adding multiple customers to a report
Viewed: Inserting Section / Summary Icons - Spruce up your report with section/summary icons — this example uses the modern gradient format
Viewed: Multiple Logos - How to setup multiple logos for use on your report
Viewed: Navigation Options (3min-25sec) Checking for unanswered questions and other report navigation and error checking options
Viewed: Office Calendar (0min-31sec) How to use the new built in calendar and all its options
Viewed: Online Maps - Linking directly to online mapping services from your report
Viewed: Print Document Settings (2min-37sec) Creating a PDF of your report
Viewed: Rebuild Database (0min-55sec) How and why to rebuild the report database
Viewed: Reinspection Feature - An Interactive Tour on using the quick reinspection feature in HomeGauge
Viewed: Report Fill (2min-22sec) How to use the new Report Fill feature to improve your productivity
Report Merge For example - Inspector A does section 1,2,3 and Inspector B does sections 4,5, 6
Viewed: Summary Item Review - How to use the new summary review page
Viewed: Voice Recording (1min-48sec) How to make recordings and find/review them when creating a report
Viewed: Work Scope - Create a quote or estimate with contract from the report
Editing Your Report Pages
Viewed: Edit Report Documents (4min-22sec) How to edit report docs
Viewed: Modify Your Cover Page (3min-20sec) How to edit your cover page
Viewed: Modify Your Inspection Agreement (2min-30sec) How to edit your inspection agreement
Pocket HG
Pictures on the Pocket Set picture placeholders for easy picture placement.
Watch The Pros
The below tours walk through a mock inspection and give many tips and hints on how to use the HomeGauge home inspection software in the field while doing an inspection. These were created in HomeGauge 3, but most of the information shown still applies to HomeGauge 4.
Viewed: Step 1 (13min-40sec) - Introduction and inspect the exterior Viewed: Step 2 (9min-0sec) - Input all of the exterior findings Viewed: Step 3 (14min-3sec) - Move to the interior Viewed: Step 4 (13min-13sec) - Finish interior and make sure all items have been answered Viewed: Step 5 (6min-56sec) - Insert the photos Viewed: Step 6 (9min-21sec) - Finish photos and print the report
Viewed: Sign up - Setup your online HomeGauge account
Report Uploads
Viewed: Uploading Part 1 - How to upload a report
Viewed: Uploading Part 2 - Advanced upload features
Viewed: Uploading Part 3 - More advanced upload features
Viewed: Online Agreement - How to use the online agreement / electronic signature feature
Online Business Scheduler Tours
Viewed: Download Online Appointments (1min-55sec) How to download appointments made through the online scheduler into HomeGauge
Viewed: Email and Text Notifications
Viewed: Geographic Service Areas
Viewed: Google Maps Integration
Viewed: MS Outlook Integration
Viewed: Required Custom Fields
If you don't see what you're looking for, try our Frequently Asked Question selection:
HomeGauge Software FAQ
Internet Tools / Report Upload FAQ
HG Website Builder FAQ
At this time, HomeGauge only integrates with QuickBooks. Sep 29, 2011 9:17 AM
leninkster (Inspector)
Do you have any integration with Simply Accounting? Sep 28, 2011 12:39 PM
hgmike (Inspector)
The system by system templates goes mostly by systems, so that is why the garage is not there specifically. However, you can always add your own garage section to the template if you feel it is needed. You can copy the garage section from another template to get you started out. To do that, open up the Room by Room template, click on the "Components" button on the left, then click on the "Garage" section in the middle of the screen, so the name is outlined in a dotted black line. Click on "Copy T" to copy this section. Close out of this template, and open up your System by System template. Click on the "Components" button, then click on "Paste T" to copy the garage section into this template. Click on "Save T" to save the template with the new section in it. Nov 1, 2010 9:42 AM
JimVargo (Inspector)
I would like to use the system by system repair or investigate template, but it doesn't have a "Garage" category. When I create the garage category , it is empty. Is there a way to include the garage in this template by bringing in the garage category from a different template? Why was this template created with no garage? Oct 31, 2010 12:39 PM
hgmike (Inspector)
You can edit your invoice on your desktop software, then sync it up with your mobile device plugged in, by going to the menu on the desktop "Pocket HG -> Sync Contacts and Invoice". Also, you can bring over a different style of template by going to the menu "Pocket HG -> Send Templates to Pocket HG". Sep 7, 2010 10:59 AM
sphi (Inspector)
I need to change things onn my reports. I have ppc. but I can't seem to change the invoice from square feet to single inspection (sf home cost 400) I also want too use a different templet style (system using multible summary ) Sep 4, 2010 9:25 AM
hgmike (Inspector)
An easy way to restore your template is to open up a previous report, where the template appeared as you intended, then click on "File -> Save Template As..." and either overwrite your existing template, or give it a new name. May 14, 2010 9:18 AM
homeaideinspections (Inspector)
I lost some of my component overview introductions and footers in my most used template. How can I restore those? May 14, 2010 12:58 AM
hgmike (Inspector)
You can click on those "?"'s and they should open up a browser window to bring you to a description of what each one means (you may need to log in to the website to see the page). Mar 15, 2010 10:18 AM
SMesiti (Inspector)
Hi In the "Recent Uploads" screen I see a few pink rectangles around a ?. I assume this means the notification was sent but they didn't open it. Is that correct? Thanks Steve PS I searched the entire HELP and couldn't find anything on the subject. Mar 13, 2010 5:52 PM
hgmike (Inspector)
HomeGauge V4 will install separately from V3 (so you can keep using V3 while trying out V4), but V4 will have access to all of V3's files. For your templates, what you do is after you install V4, go to select a report template, and you will see all of your V3 templates. Your V3 templates will end in ".ht3". To convert it to V4, just open the V3 template, and it will convert it to V4 when it opens up. The next time you go to select your template, be sure you pick the ".ht4" file, If you use our upload service, templates, with all your custom comments, can always be recovered from uploaded reports, if you don't have a local backup. The templates are built into the report, so you download a recent report, open it, then save a template from it. Instructions can be found on our Software FAQ (under "Support" above). Go to that page, click on the first link, and find "Step 6". Also, making a local backup of the "My Documents\HomeGauge" folder is a good idea. Sep 26, 2009 6:20 PM
cpro51 (Inspector)
I realize I am not using my HomeGauge software to it's full potential. I am currently using Version 3 and want to upgrade to 4.2. Will all of my templates and information be included in the new version. If I lost any of my customized comments it would take months to get back to normal. My computer had a melt down last year and I had to start over with all new comments. Is there any way to save the template I am working on so if something happened to the computer i could locate the template and get right back to business. Sep 26, 2009 4:58 PM