What Happens to the Difficult Reports?

Some reports are relatively straightforward while others seem to involve every possible complication.

There are photographs to insert, tables to organise, unusual formatting requirements and several different documents that need bringing together. And, of course, the deadline is usually approaching.

Not Every Report Is a Simple Word Document

Building surveys, dilapidations schedules and photographic schedules of condition involve considerably more document production than a standard letter or short report.

A large photographic schedule may require hundreds of photographs to be arranged and labelled. A dilapidations schedule may involve complex tables, specific formatting and detailed instructions.

Then there are scanned leases and older documents that need converting into editable files.

These are the sorts of assignments where experienced document production support can be particularly useful. For another look at the options, see our earlier Word versus PowerPoint photographic schedules article.

AI Doesn’t Necessarily Make the Difficult Bits Easier

AI and speech-to-text tools can help prepare the written content of a report.

But the more complicated the document, the more important it becomes to check the results carefully.

A large table that’s been reformatted incorrectly can create considerable additional work. The same applies to missing photographs, incorrect numbering or sections that have ended up in the wrong place.

Familiarity Makes a Difference

Our typists regularly work with property documents and the formatting requirements that go with them.

We understand that a photographic schedule needs to follow the client’s instructions and that a dilapidations schedule must retain its intended structure.

We can also work from scanned documents, handwritten amendments and existing Word files. We don’t need every assignment to arrive as a perfectly clear audio recording.

Send Us the Awkward Ones

If you’ve got a particularly complicated document that’s taking up too much of your time, it’s worth asking whether we can help.

We can review the material, establish what’s required and agree on the appropriate turnaround. Some assignments need traditional transcription whereas others are entirely about document formatting and production.

And if there’s something we can’t reasonably do within your deadline, we’d rather tell you at the outset.

For building survey report typing, dilapidations schedules, photographic schedules and specialist document production, contact BackupTyping on 020 7096 1663 or at hello@backuptyping.co.uk.

Your Report Templates Are Worth Protecting. Even From Microsoft Word.

Every surveying firm has its own way of presenting reports. Some have spent years developing their templates. Others have carefully designed layouts to meet particular client requirements.

Either way, those templates are there for a reason. So it’s frustrating when a perfectly good report gets pasted into Word and the formatting immediately falls apart.

Why Templates Matter

A consistent report template helps maintain professional standards across a business. It also makes reports easier to prepare, review and read.

But templates can be surprisingly complicated. There may be different heading styles, tables, page layouts, automatic numbering, headers and footers.

Add photographs, appendices and a few unusual tables, and even a relatively straightforward report can become difficult to format.

The Problem With Copying and Pasting

Speech-to-text and AI tools are useful for preparing content, but moving that content into an existing Word template can create additional work.

Headings lose their styles. Paragraph spacing changes. Tables don’t always behave as expected. Occasionally, an entire document seems determined to develop a layout of its own.

If you’ve spent enough time using Word, you’ll know exactly what we mean.

We Work With Your Existing Templates

Our document formatting services are designed around the way your firm already works.

We can prepare reports directly within your existing templates, following your preferred formatting and document structure.

That might involve a building survey, a valuation report, a photographic schedule of condition or a dilapidations schedule. We also provide copy typing services for scanned documents and other material that needs converting into editable Word files.

Consistency Without the Extra Work

For firms producing large numbers of reports, consistent formatting can make a considerable difference. It reduces the amount of time spent correcting documents and helps maintain the presentation standards your clients expect.

You don’t necessarily need to replace your templates or change the way your surveyors prepare reports. Sometimes you simply need someone who knows how to use them.

BackupTyping provides professional Word document formatting services for surveyors and other property professionals. Send us your existing template and we’ll work within it. Contact us on 020 7096 1663 or hello@backuptyping.co.uk.