Save Time and Reduce Costs by Outsourcing Your Transcription

Spending Too Much Time on Typing?

If you’re still typing your own reports, letters, or documents, you’re using valuable time on a task that can easily be outsourced.  Transcription and document production are essential - but they shouldn’t slow your business down.

The Problem with Doing It Yourself

Handling transcription in-house often leads to:

The Smarter Approach: Outsourcing

Outsourcing transcription allows you to:

benefits of outsourcing transcription services including cost reduction, efficiency, and access to specialist skills

Why BackupTyping?

At BackupTyping, we provide:

We understand the needs of surveyors and property professionals - and we deliver accordingly.

A More Efficient Workflow

Simply:

  1. Dictate
  2. Send to us
  3. Receive a fully formatted document

No stress. No delays. No wasted time.

Outsourcing transcription saves time, reduces costs and allows businesses to focus on core work while benefiting from expert support and faster turnaround times.

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!

BackupTyping Dictation App built for clients of our specialist property transcription service to use at no charge or licence. Just dictate and send to us at the touch of a button!

 

Related Articles:

What Is Audio Transcription for Chartered Surveyors?

Fee Earner or Typist? | Why Outsourcing Typing Works

Why Outsourcing Transcription Services Helps Businesses Save Time and Reduce Costs

Why Outsourcing Transcription Services Makes Business Sense

Companies today are under constant pressure to improve efficiency, reduce costs and remain competitive.  We have found that one strategy that continues to grow in popularity is outsourcing transcription and document production and for good reason.  From dictation to copy typing, outsourcing allows businesses to operate more effectively while focusing on what really matters.

What is Outsourcing in This Context?

Outsourcing transcription means sending your dictated reports, minutes or correspondence etc to a specialist provider like BackupTyping, who will produce accurate, professionally formatted documents on your behalf.

The Key Benefits of Outsourcing Transcription

Reducing Costs

Hiring, training and managing in-house staff is expensive.

Outsourcing removes:

You only pay for what you use.

benefits of outsourcing transcription services including cost reduction, efficiency, and access to specialist skills

Solving Capacity Issues

Workloads are rarely consistent, outsourcing allows for the peak and troughs of business:

Focus on Core Business

Your business wasn’t built on typing documents (ours is but yours isn't) - by outsourcing transcription, you can:

Access to Skilled Professionals

With outsourcing to BackupTyping, you gain access to experienced typists with property industry knowledge producing consistent, high-quality documents to your timeframe.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

Companies competing in today’s market must adopt cost-effective and efficient strategies.  Outsourcing non-core functions like transcription allows businesses to:

Summary

Outsourcing transcription services helps businesses reduce costs, solve capacity issues and focus on core activities.  It provides access to skilled professionals while improving efficiency and productivity.

Why Choose BackupTyping?

BackupTyping specialises in transcription and document production for property professionals.

We help you:

Ready to improve your workflow?

Send us your dictation—we’ll take care of the rest.

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!

BackupTyping Dictation App built for clients of our specialist property transcription service to use at no charge or licence. Just dictate and send to us at the touch of a button!

 

Related Articles:

What Is Audio Transcription for Chartered Surveyors?

Fee Earner or Typist? | Why Outsourcing Typing Works

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:

For example:

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:

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

The Human Advantage

With BackupTyping, you get:

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:

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!

BackupTyping Dictation App built for clients of our specialist property transcription service to use at no charge or licence. Just dictate and send to us at the touch of a button!

 

Related Articles:

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:

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:

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:

Our service helps you:

What Makes Our Service Different?

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.

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!

BackupTyping Dictation App built for clients of our specialist property transcription service to use at no charge or licence. Just dictate and send to us at the touch of a button!

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

 

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.

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!

BackupTyping Dictation App built for clients of our specialist property transcription service to use at no charge or licence. Just dictate and send to us at the touch of a button!

Recommendation creates opportunity for BackupTyping’s property report transcription services

Backup Typing has been providing property report transcription services for Tuffin Ferraby Taylor for two years. The business needed a robust solution to assist them with peaks in demand for secretarial cover.

The audio typing cover BackupTyping provide was required for a number of reasons – some of the secretarial staff were part-time, cover for normal busier peaks in workload, holiday cover, and, at month-end, the secretarial staff were needed for other duties such as invoicing, which invariably takes them away from typing property reports for a couple of days.

Therefore, flexible support was needed to supplement their secretarial staff with professional transcription services that could be called upon confidentially, quickly and efficiently by all involved in the process.

History of transcription services for Tuffin Ferraby Taylor

Our services to the company came about from a senior member of staff who had used BackupTyping at their previous employment to deal with the same peaks in demand for confidential, quality and rapid turnaround services.

The member of staff very kindly recommended us to Christine Keates-Lewis, the Creative HR & Operations Manager.

As this was a direct recommendation from a colleague Christine was happy to approach BackupTyping having discounted other outsource transcription service companies.

With the events of the last 12 months and a complete change in working environments that has prevailed for many businesses, TFT wanted to enhance their infrastructure knowing that they could rely on the services of BackupTyping for professional, knowledgeable and experienced audio typing requirements.

A changing market requires a fluid approach to property report transcription requirements

This is a very typical outcome of the current changes many businesses are having to make. The unpredictable market means that the sector is requiring a more fluid approach to generating property reports. BackupTyping are able to provide that support with an efficient and dynamic range of services to meet the continued demands of the industry and our clients.

Is Using a Transcription Service Confidential? What You Need to Know

Confidentiality is one of the first concerns businesses have when considering outsourcing transcription.  If you are dictating reports with valuations, client correspondence or sensitive internal information, you need to be confident that your data is handled securely.

The short answer is yes.  A professional transcription service should be fully confidential.  The important part is understanding how that confidentiality is maintained.

Is Transcription Confidential?

A reputable transcription service will treat all client data as strictly confidential.

This applies to:

  • Client reports
  • Survey documentation
  • Legal or HR material
  • Internal business communications

At BackupTyping, confidentiality is a fundamental part of how we operate, not an afterthought.

How Confidentiality Is Maintained

Confidentiality Agreements

All professional transcriptionists should be bound by confidentiality agreements.

At BackupTyping:

  • Every typist signs a confidentiality agreement from day one
  • Confidentiality forms part of our standard working practice
  • Data protection is taken seriously across the entire team

This ensures that all work handled is protected at an individual level.

NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements)

Many clients require additional reassurance.  A professional transcription company should be happy to:

  • Sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
  • Work within your company’s confidentiality policies
  • Provide clear terms around data handling

This is particularly important for:

  • Corporate clients
  • HR departments
  • Sensitive or high-value projects

GDPR and Data Protection

In the UK, transcription services must comply with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).

This means:

  • Personal data must be handled securely
  • Information must only be used for its intended purpose
  • Data should not be retained longer than necessary
  • Appropriate security measures must be in place

At BackupTyping, we operate in line with GDPR requirements to ensure all client data is processed responsibly and securely.

Is Outsourcing More or Less Secure Than In-House?

Many assume keeping work in-house is safer.  In reality, outsourcing can often be just as secure, if not more so.

With a professional transcription service:

  • Access to documents is controlled
  • Fewer people handle the data
  • Processes are structured and consistent

In contrast, internal handling can sometimes involve:

  • Multiple staff members
  • Shared systems
  • Less formalised processes

The key is choosing a provider you trust.

What About Sensitive Documents?

Transcription services are often used for highly sensitive material, including:

  • HR documentation
  • Disciplinary records
  • Confidential reports
  • Legal or dispute-related content

A professional provider will have experience handling this type of work and will understand the importance of discretion.

Practical Reassurance for Clients

When choosing a transcription service, you should feel confident asking:

  • Do you have confidentiality agreements in place?
  • Can you sign an NDA?
  • How is data handled and stored?
  • Who has access to my files?

A reputable company will answer these clearly and without hesitation.

Confidentiality and Workflow

Confidentiality does not slow the process down.  A typical workflow remains simple and secure:

  1. Dictate your content
  2. Send your file securely
  3. Receive a completed document

All while maintaining strict data protection standards.  For a broader understanding of how transcription fits into your workflow, see audio transcription for chartered surveyors.

Why Trust Matters

Outsourcing transcription is not just about efficiency.  It is about trust.

You need to know that:

  • Your data is handled professionally
  • Your documents are secure
  • Your clients’ information is protected

At BackupTyping, we have worked with property professionals for over 20 years, handling confidential documents every day.

Conclusion

Yes, using a transcription service is confidential when you work with a professional provider.  With confidentiality agreements, NDAs and GDPR compliance in place, your data is handled securely at every stage.  Outsourcing transcription should give you confidence, not concern.

Send us your dictation with confidence.  We will take care of it securely and professionally.

BackupTyping provides a fast, accurate and experienced transcription for property professionals - saving you time and money. Call us on 020 7096 1663 to find out how we can help you.

What Is an Audio Typist? A Guide for Property Professionals

An audio typist is a specialist who converts spoken dictation into professionally formatted written documents.

While the role may sound straightforward, a skilled audio typist does far more than simply type what they hear.

For property professionals and chartered surveyors, an experienced audio typist plays a key role in producing accurate, structured and client-ready reports.

What Does an Audio Typist Do?

An audio typist listens to recorded dictation and types it into a clear, formatted document.

This typically includes:

The process involves listening through headphones while controlling audio playback using a foot pedal, allowing for continuous and efficient typing.

How Audio Typing Works

Professional audio typists use specialist transcription software and equipment.

The setup usually includes:

This allows the typist to maintain a steady flow of dictation while typing accurately and efficiently.  It is a skill that takes time to develop and refine.

Why Use a Professional Audio Typist?

Accuracy and Understanding

An experienced audio typist does not just type words.  They understand context, terminology and meaning.  This is particularly important in the property industry, where technical language must be accurate.

Speed and Efficiency

A professional audio typist can work significantly faster than someone typing their own documents.  This allows reports and documents to be produced quickly without compromising quality.

Professional Formatting

Audio typists ensure documents are:

This removes the need for additional formatting later.

Reduced Admin Workload

By outsourcing audio typing, professionals can focus on inspections, clients and fee-earning work instead of administrative tasks.  If you are currently typing your own reports, it is worth considering whether that time could be better spent.  See our article on fee earner or typist for a practical breakdown.

Audio Typist vs Speech-to-Text

Speech-to-text technology is often seen as an alternative, but it works differently.

Speech-to-text:

A professional audio typist:

For client-facing documents, accuracy and presentation are critical.

Why Industry Experience Matters

Not all audio typists are the same.

A typist with experience in the property sector will:

This reduces errors and improves turnaround time.

At BackupTyping, our team has extensive experience working within the property industry, allowing us to produce high-quality documents without the need for explanation or correction.

How Audio Typing Fits into Your Workflow

A typical workflow looks like this:

  1. Dictate your notes or report
  2. Send the audio file
  3. Receive a fully formatted document

This process removes the need for any property professional to type, format or rework documents.

For a broader overview of how this works, read our guide to audio transcription for chartered surveyors.

Conclusion

An audio typist is not just someone who types.

They are a skilled professional who:

For property professionals, this can significantly improve efficiency and reduce administrative workload.

We are a team who are always here – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – ready and waiting to provide you with the efficient service you need when you need it.

BackupTyping provides a fast, accurate and experienced transcription for property professionals - saving you time and money. Call us on 020 7096 1663 to find out how we can help you.

What Is Transcription? A Complete Guide for Property Professionals

Transcription is a simple concept, but in practice it plays a critical role in how many businesses operate.  If you dictate notes, reports or correspondence, transcription is what turns those spoken words into structured, usable documents.

For property professionals and surveyors, it is often the difference between a slow, admin-heavy workflow and an efficient, streamlined one.

What Is Transcription?

Transcription is the process of converting spoken audio into written text.

In a business context, this typically involves:

  • Dictating reports or notes
  • Recording meetings or site observations
  • Converting audio into a structured document

The final output is not just text.  It is usually:

  • Formatted
  • Proofread
  • Ready to send or use

For a more practical overview of how this works in your industry, see our guide to audio transcription for chartered surveyors.

How Transcription Works in Practice

The process is straightforward:

  1. Dictate your content using a phone, app, or recorder
  2. Send the audio file
  3. A professional transcriptionist types and formats the document
  4. You receive a completed, ready-to-use document

No need to type.  No need to format.

Types of Transcription

1. Audio Transcription

This is the most common type.

Used for:

  • Reports
  • Letters
  • Site notes
  • General correspondence

2. Meeting Transcription

Used when:

  • Recording Teams or Zoom meetings
  • Creating written records of discussions

3. Copy Typing

Not strictly transcription, but closely related.

This involves:

  • Converting handwritten or typed documents
  • Reformatting existing files into professional layouts

Who Uses Transcription Services?

Transcription is widely used across industries, but particularly by:

Property Professionals and Surveyors

  • Site inspections generate large volumes of notes
  • Reports need to be structured and accurate
  • Time is better spent on inspections than typing

Businesses with Regular Documentation

  • Letters
  • Reports
  • Internal documentation

Teams with Limited Admin Capacity

  • Busy periods create backlogs
  • Outsourcing provides flexibility

Why Not Just Type It Yourself?

Most professionals can type but the real question is ... is it the best use of your time?

Typing documents yourself:

  • Takes significantly longer
  • Interrupts your workflow
  • Reduces time spent on core work using your professional knowledge

If you are weighing this up, it is worth reading fee earner or typist to understand the real cost of doing it yourself.

Transcription vs Speech-to-Text

Speech-to-text tools are becoming more common but they are not the same as professional transcription.

Speech-to-Text:

  • Fast
  • Low cost
  • Often requires editing

Professional Transcription:

  • Accurate
  • Properly formatted
  • Ready to use

Speech-to-text can be useful for quick notes but for structured, client-facing documents, it often requires significant correction.

The Benefits of Professional Transcription

Using a transcription service provides:

Time Savings: Dictation is significantly faster than typing.

Accuracy: This is especially important for technical terminology.

Professional Formatting: Documents are structured, consistent, and ready to send.

Flexibility: You can scale up or down depending on workload.

Reduced Admin Pressure: This frees up both professionals and admin staff.

How Transcription Fits into a Modern Workflow

Today, transcription is part of a much more efficient process.

With mobile dictation:

  • Record on-site
  • Send instantly
  • Receive documents quickly

No need to return to the office and no delays in getting reports started.

Common Misconceptions

“It’s just typing”

Transcription involves:

  • Listening carefully
  • Understanding context
  • Applying formatting
  • Producing structured documents

“It’s expensive”

In reality:

  • You only pay for what you use
  • It often saves money by freeing up higher-value time

“Speech-to-text does the same thing”

It does not account for:

  • Context
  • Formatting
  • Accuracy in real-world conditions

Conclusion

Transcription is more than converting speech into text.

It is a way to:

  • Save time
  • Improve efficiency
  • Produce professional documents
  • Reduce admin workload

For property professionals, it is often a key part of working more effectively.

If you are dictating but still typing your own work or relying on inconsistent processes, BackupTyping can help.  Send your dictation today and receive a fully formatted document in return.

BackupTyping is here to provide you with the best transcription service possible when you need it.

BackupTyping provides a fast, accurate and experienced transcription for property professionals - saving you time and money. Call us on 020 7096 1663 to find out how we can help you.

Who needs a transcription service?

If you dictate notes, reports, or correspondence, then you already rely on transcription whether you realise it or not.

The real question is not whether you need a transcription service ... it’s whether you are using your time efficiently.

What Is a Transcription Service?

A transcription service converts spoken words into professionally formatted written documents.  For a more detailed breakdown, see our guide to audio transcription for chartered surveyors.

For property professionals and chartered surveyors, this typically includes:

Instead of typing everything yourself, you dictate and a professional audio typist produces the final document.

Who Actually Needs a Transcription Service?

1. Professionals Who Dictate Regularly

If you are already dictating into:

Then you are already halfway there.

Typing your own dictation removes the biggest benefit - time saving.

2. Chartered Surveyors and Property Professionals

Surveyors spend a large part of their day:

Typing reports is not the best use of that time.

A transcription service allows you to:

Without returning to the office to type.

3. Businesses Experiencing Capacity Issues

Workloads are rarely consistent.

During busy periods:

Outsourcing transcription gives you:

4. Teams with In-House Secretaries

A common assumption is "our secretary can type it”

But in reality secretaries are responsible for:

Typing large volumes of dictation can reduce their effectiveness elsewhere.

A transcription service allows:
Secretaries to focus on higher-value tasks
Typing to be handled efficiently in the background

5. Anyone Who Wants to Work More Efficiently

Even if you can type your own work you should ask is it the best use of your time?

For example:

That time difference adds up quickly.

If you've ever wondered how much time (and money) typing actually costs, read fee earner or typist?.

Why Not Just Use Speech-to-Text?

Speech-to-text tools can work for simple tasks.  However, they often struggle with:

This leads to:

Which removes much of the “time saving”.

The Real Value of a Transcription Service

A professional transcription service doesn’t just type, it provides:

And most importantly it allows you to focus on your core work.

A Simple Workflow

Working with a transcription service is straightforward:

  1. Dictate
  2. Send your file
  3. Receive a completed document

Conclusion

Anyone who dictates can benefit from a transcription service.

But for professionals - especially in the property sector - the real advantage is not just convenience.

It’s efficiency
It’s cost-effectiveness
It’s better use of time

If you are currently typing your own reports or struggling to keep up with admin send us your dictation today - we’ll take care of the rest.

BackupTyping provides a fast, accurate and experienced transcription for property professionals - saving you time and money.  Call us on 020 7096 1663 to find out how we can help you. 

 

Further Reading: