The app we found to be the most useful
Site Assessment
5 min read
Challenge
Creating detailed floor plans for inspection and assessment reports
Betta Group began using magicplan when developing a new product called a detailed maintenance assessment. This type of assessment involves evaluating the condition of different materials on a property, estimating how long they will last, and calculating future replacement costs.
To support this work, Betta Group needed an app that would allow inspectors to collect a complete floor plan of a property and indicate where materials needing fixing or replacement were located. According to Stefan, magicplan was the app they found to be the most useful for this purpose.
Before magicplan, creating floor plans was a labor-intensive process.
Solution
Using magicplan to capture floor plans during inspections
Stefan explains that he first discovered magicplan by searching online for floor plan apps. While some apps were simpler, he found it harder to get usable floor plans from them. magicplan, while more complex, made it easier to create complete floor plans.
Betta Group chose magicplan because it connects with Bluetooth laser meters. Inspectors initially attached these meters to mobile phones and used the scan function to read measurements and create floor plans. More recently, the company moved to using iPads, which improved the scanning experience.
During inspections, inspectors use magicplan part way through the inspection to scan rooms and develop floor plans. These floor plans are then added to inspection and condition assessment reports to provide real data.
Results
Higher-quality inspection reports with visual floor plans
Stefan says the biggest benefit magicplan offers Betta Group is improved quality of their product.
“It increases the quality of our product.”
magicplan provides an easy way to add a floor plan to any building inspection report or condition assessment. More than 50 inspectors across New Zealand use the software as part of their inspection workflow.
Stefan supports the inspectors using the technology and helps develop and maintain new and existing reports. While he used magicplan more during the initial setup phase, inspectors now use it independently in the field.
Outlook
An increasingly valuable resource for future reports
Stefan notes that while creating a detailed floor plan takes some time and involves a learning curve, he does not view this as a negative. He explains that it is easy to create a basic floor plan, while more detailed plans require additional experience.
Betta Group plans to continue expanding its use of magicplan for other reports in the future.
“So, we are definitely going to be using magicplan even more than we do now.”
When asked to describe magicplan in one word, Stefan’s answer reflects how the company uses it. “Convenient!”
