Speech to text is becoming part of everyday working life for surveyors.
Most people have tried it. Some are using it regularly. In many cases, it is already built into the tools they are using.
On the surface, it feels like a step forward. You speak, the words appear and a report starts to take shape much more quickly than typing from scratch.
And to be fair, that part is true.
But what we are seeing more and more is this:
The report gets started quickly. It just does not get finished as quickly as expected.
Speech-to-text is genuinely useful for getting words down.
It works particularly well for:
It removes the blank page problem. You can talk through what you have seen on site and get it down immediately while it is still fresh.
For a lot of surveyors, that alone is a big improvement.
The part that tends to get underestimated is what happens next.
A speech-to-text report is rarely ready to send.
It usually needs:
Individually, none of these things feel like a big job.
Together, they add up. If you have ever wondered how much time this actually takes, it is worth reading Fee Earner or Typist? to see how quickly it adds up.
We often hear the same thing:
“It was quick to dictate, but then I spent ages sorting it out.”
Most surveying firms do not work from a blank document.
They have:
Speech-to-text does not handle that particularly well. This is where working with a specialist transcription servicemakes a noticeable difference, particularly when it comes to formatting structured property reports.
It gives you text but it does not place that text neatly into your template. It does not structure a dilapidations schedule or a building survey in the way you need it.
So the job becomes:
Copy
Paste
Adjust
Reformat
Check
This is often where more time is lost than expected.
What we are seeing now is not a move away from transcription.
It is a shift in how it is used.
A lot of clients are doing exactly this:
If you want to see how this works in practice, take a look at What Is Audio Transcription for Chartered Surveyors.
It works well that way.
They still get the speed of dictation, but without the time spent formatting and fixing everything afterwards.
There is a difference between having words on a page and having a finished document.
A finished document is:
That last part matters.
Most surveyors are not short on content. They are short on time to turn that content into something presentable.
For most people, the best approach is not one or the other.
It is using both in a way that makes sense.
Speech-to-text for:
Professional transcription for:
That way, you are not doubling up your time.
Speech-to-text is improving and it will continue to improve. It is a useful tool, especially for getting started.
But reports are not just about getting words down. They are about producing something accurate, structured and professional.
That final step is usually the part that takes longer than expected.
If that is the bit that keeps getting pushed to the end of the day, or into the evening, it might be the part worth handing over.
If you want a straightforward way to dictate and have your reports come back ready to send, you can record on your phone and send it directly to us using our dictation app. We will take care of the formatting, structure and final document so you can focus on your work.
Call us on 020 7096 1663 or email us here.
BackupTyping is a chartered surveying specialist audio transcription and document production company working with a variety of clients from large corporations to small niche companies, all receiving the same high quality and fast service from a team of audio typists who worked at senior levels in chartered surveying organisations.
Try us instantly with our FREE dictation app!
