Why Human Transcription Beats Speech to Text for Surveyors

Do you know your ‘cornicing’ from your ‘corner sink’? Speech to text AI doesn’t

At BackupTyping, we regularly review the latest speech to text technology - and while it has improved, it still doesn’t meet the standards required for professional surveying reports.

We tested multiple AI tools.

The results included:

Incorrect terminology
Missed paragraphs
Poor formatting
Context errors that change the meaning of reports

For example:

“terraced” became “terrorist”
“damp staining” became “outstanding”
“tenure” became “10 year”

These are not minor issues - they can affect the clarity and professionalism of your reports.

The Hidden Cost of Speech to Text

AI transcription may seem like a cost-saving tool, but in reality:

You spend time correcting errors
You lose time formatting documents
You risk inconsistencies in your reports

By the time everything is corrected, the “saving” is often gone.

The Human Advantage

With BackupTyping, you get:

Accurate transcription every time
Proper formatting and structure
Understanding of surveying terminology
Consistent, professional reports
Fast turnaround times

Most importantly you can focus on fee-earning work instead of typing.

Simple, Flexible Workflow

You can send your dictation in the way that suits you:

Via our free mobile dictation app
By email
Through our secure upload system

We take care of the rest.

Conclusion

Speech to text has its place - but for professional surveying documents, human transcription remains the most reliable and efficient solution.

If you are a chartered surveyor and need accurate, professionally structured documents quickly, BackupTyping is here to help.

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. Contact - Call: 020 7096 1663 or Email us.

Try us instantly with our FREE dictation app!

What Is Audio Transcription for Chartered Surveyors?

Fee Earner or Typist? | Why Outsourcing Typing Works

Struggling to Format Photographic Schedules of Condition?

Photographic schedules of condition are essential in building surveying but producing them can be time-consuming and repetitive.

Formatting images, maintaining consistency and handling revisions can quickly take up valuable time that could be better spent on surveying work.

The Challenge with Creating Photo Schedules

Many professionals still create schedules manually using Word or PowerPoint, which often leads to:

Time-consuming formatting
Inconsistent layouts
Difficult revisions when changes are needed
Manual numbering and reworking of documents

This becomes even more challenging when dealing with large schedules containing hundreds of images.

Why Word Is Better - But Still Time-Consuming

While Word is the preferred tool for creating photographic schedules, it still requires:

Careful template setup
Manual image insertion
Attention to formatting details
Ongoing document management

Even with the right tools, producing a high-quality schedule can take far longer than expected.

Let BackupTyping Handle It for You

At BackupTyping, we take the pressure off by producing fully formatted photographic schedules of condition for you.

We work with:

Chartered surveyors
Property professionals
Building consultants

Our service helps you:

Save hours of formatting time
Maintain consistent, professional layouts
Avoid manual errors and rework
Focus on your core surveying work

What Makes Our Service Different?

Experienced team with surveying industry knowledge
Fast turnaround times
High-quality, consistent document formatting
Flexible support tailored to your workflow

We understand exactly what surveyors need - and we deliver it efficiently and reliably.

Ready to Save Time?

If you regularly produce photographic schedules of condition, outsourcing could significantly improve your workflow.

Send us your images and notes - we’ll take care of the rest.

Final Thought

Instead of spending hours formatting documents, let us handle the process for you - so you can focus on what matters most.

If you'd like to understand the difference between Word and PowerPoint in more detail read our full guide here.

At BackupTyping we have completed hundreds of photo schedules in many different formats and styles and would be happy to chat through which format would suit your needs most. Let us input your photos and text and here's a good reason why.

Try us instantly with our FREE dictation app!

Photographic Schedules of Condition: Word vs PowerPoint

Photographic schedules of condition are a key part of building surveying and property documentation, providing a clear visual record of a property at a specific point in time.

When creating these schedules, professionals typically choose between Word and PowerPoint - but which is best for producing a high-quality, professional photographic report?

Word vs PowerPoint for Photographic Schedules

Both Word and PowerPoint can be used to create photographic schedules, but they offer very different levels of control and efficiency.

Why PowerPoint Is Less Suitable

PowerPoint is designed primarily for presentations, not structured reports.

While it allows you to insert images quickly using slide layouts, it has several limitations when used for photographic schedules:

Images may be cropped or stretched automatically
Layouts can become inconsistent with mixed image formats
There is no automatic numbering system
Any changes require manual repositioning of all subsequent images

For large schedules, this can become extremely time-consuming and inefficient.

Why Word Is the Preferred Option

Word is far better suited for creating structured photographic schedules of condition.

It allows you to:

Maintain consistent formatting across the document
Keep images at their original quality without distortion
Use automatic numbering and captions
Easily adjust layouts and text alongside images

Most importantly, Word handles changes far more effectively. If a photo is removed, the document can adjust automatically - saving significant time during revisions.

Key Considerations When Choosing Your Format

Before creating your schedule, it’s important to plan your template carefully:

How many images per page?
Will you need to delete or add images later?
Do you require consistent numbering and captions?
How important is flexibility during editing?

A well-structured Word template can significantly reduce formatting time and improve overall document quality.

Quick Summary

Word is generally the better option for photographic schedules of condition because it offers:

Better control over layout and formatting
Automatic numbering of images
Easier editing and updates
No unwanted cropping or distortion of images

PowerPoint is more suitable for presentations but is less efficient for structured report production.

How BackupTyping Can Help

At BackupTyping, we specialise in producing professional photographic schedules of condition for surveyors and property professionals.

Our team can help you:

Format and structure your reports correctly
Transcribe and organise your documentation
Deliver fast, accurate and consistent results

If you'd like help producing photographic schedules, our team can take care of the entire process for you.

At BackupTyping we have completed hundreds of photo schedules in many different formats and styles and would be happy to chat through which format would suit your needs most. Let us input your photos and text and here's a good reason why.