In the dashboard: Templates
Two ways to get a template
A template is the reusable layout of your report: its sections, subsections and comment library. Every report you write starts as a copy of a template. See Template structure. You don’t have to build a template from scratch. There are two ways to get one:
Both buttons are at the top of the Templates page. The third button, Create, makes an empty template. See Create an empty template.
The Templates page is open to inspectors and to team members who have the Edit Templates permission. Others see an Access Denied page.
Option 1: Upload a template from your old software
You can import a template yourself from these programs:
Files can be up to 100 MB.
Pick your old software
Under Select Template Source, pick the program the template comes from. An upload box appears and tells you which file it takes.
Add the file
Drag the file into the box, or click Select File. A file of the wrong type is rejected with a message that says which file is needed.
- Spectora
- Horizon
Click Import Template and wait
Click Import Template and stay on the page. The dialog shows Processing Your Template while Hive converts your sections, items and comments. For Spectora, it also copies your comment photos to Hive. It takes up to 5 minutes, or up to 10 minutes for Horizon.When it’s done, a message says Template Imported (or how many templates were imported, for Horizon), and the new template appears at the top of your list.
Check the result
Open the new template and look through it before your first inspection. Every program organizes templates a little differently, so expect some clean-up:
- Rename it if needed. The name comes from the file. See Template Overview settings.
- Turn on Ratings if you use them. Imported templates start with ratings off.
- Hide rarely used sections and subsections. Spectora’s “optional” setting doesn’t carry over. See Hidden sections and subsections.
- Check comments are in the right group. Hive sorts every comment into Information, Limitations or Defects/ Deficiencies. Move any that landed in the wrong one. See Move a comment.
Other software
For any other program, such as Inspector Toolbelt, PalmTech, Tap Inspect or Binsr, send your template export to our team through the chat bubble in the bottom-right corner of your dashboard. We import it at no extra cost when the file can be read. See Templates from other software.Official forms can’t be uploaded
Don’t upload another program’s version of an official form, such as TREC, NPMA-33 or a Florida insurance form. An uploaded template always prints as a regular Hive report. Import the form from the Template Hub instead, as described below.Option 2: Import from the Template Hub
The Template Hub is a library of ready-made templates. Most were shared by working inspectors and come with their full comment library. It also has every official form Hive prints, such as TREC, NPMA-33 and the Florida insurance forms.
Find a template
- Type in Search templates by name to filter the cards.
- Click Special PDF Only to show only the official forms. Click it again to show everything.
Click Import Template
Click Import Template on the card. When Template Imported Successfully! appears, click View Template to go back to your templates, or Stay in Hub to import another.The template is added at the top of your list under the same name as in the Hub.
Make it yours
The imported template is your own copy. Edit it as much as you like: later changes in the Hub never change your copy, and your changes never change the Hub.The Hub copies sections, subsections and comments. It doesn’t copy the template’s settings, so set your Customer Viewing Name, Report Introduction Text and Ratings on the Overview. The one exception is TREC REI 7-6, which comes with the standard TREC ratings turned on.
Popular templates to start from
If you’re starting fresh, these general home inspection templates are the most used. All three are full residential templates with Information, Limitations and defect comments already written. Import one or two, compare them, and keep the one closest to how you inspect.Hive Inspect Residential
The most imported template in the Hub and the most detailed: 28 sections, about 300 subsections and around 6,000 defect comments, some with reference photos. It covers the whole house plus wells, irrigation, docks, raised and manufactured-home foundations, environmental items, a final checklist and post-inspection advice. It includes items used on Florida inspections, such as 4-point water heater details. Rarely needed sections, such as Well equipment, Irrigation system and Dock, are hidden by default and can be shown on site when needed.
Kincaid Residential Inspection Report
The second most imported template. A classic, system-by-system layout in 14 sections: Inspection Details, Exterior, Interior, Heating, Fireplace(s)/Wood Stove(s), Cooling, Electrical, Plumbing, Basement / Crawlspace, Detached Garage, Attached Garage, Structure, Attic, Insulation & Ventilation, and Roof. It has about 100 subsections and around 2,000 defect comments.
LHI Residential Template
A leaner template in 18 sections with about 900 defect comments, for inspectors who prefer a shorter comment library. It starts with Inspection Detail and splits the house into Roof; Chimney, Fireplace, or Stove; Exterior; Carport; Foundation, Crawlspace & Structure; Heating; Cooling; Plumbing; Electrical; Attic, Insulation & Ventilation; Bathrooms; Doors, Windows & Interior; Laundry; Detached Garage; Attached Garage; and Kitchen, and ends with a Summary section.
Special PDF templates
A special PDF template prints its report on an official form, laid out exactly like the paper version, instead of Hive’s regular report. You fill it in like any other report, and Hive puts each answer in the right spot on the form.
Things to know about special PDF templates:
- They must come from the Template Hub. Special PDF templates can’t be uploaded from other software. An uploaded or hand-built copy of the form prints as a regular report.
- They carry a Special tag in your template list and in the Hub.
- Don’t add, remove or duplicate sections, subsections or comments in them. Each item maps to a spot on the official form, so structural changes can stop the form from printing correctly. Editing the wording of a comment is fine.
- Check the PDF before you publish. Generate the PDF from the Web Editor to see the filled-in form.
- If a form stops printing correctly after edits, delete the template, import it again from the Hub and add the new copy to your service.
- Duplicating a special PDF template from your list keeps it a special PDF template.
Next steps
- Add the template to a service, so it’s added to every inspection of that service. In Business Tools → Services & Fees, edit the service and pick the template under Templates. An add-on can bring its own template too. See Add-on templates and agreements.
- Set up the template’s settings. See Template Overview settings.
- Learn how a template is organized. See Template structure.
- Change it to fit how you inspect. See Editing templates.