How to Switch from Palmtech to Spectora

Thinking about switching from Palmtech? Starting over and learning new software can feel like a lot. It doesn't have to be. Here's how to set up your template in Spectora, the 1-on-1 help you get along the way, and the tools waiting for you once you're in.

Why inspectors switch from Palmtech

Inspectors have been writing reports in Palmtech since 1998, so nobody leaves it on a whim. When we ask Palmtech users why they made the move, it usually comes down to the report writer, the AI and getting paid.

They want AI that sounds like them. Palmtech 11's AI scans your photos and drafts new comments for you to edit. Spectora's AI Comment Assist works from your own notes instead, turning them into clear, buyer-friendly comments. Nothing lands in the report until you approve it.

They want a report writer shaped in the field. Spectora started as a report writer in 2015, and more than 12,000 inspectors have shaped it since. You can write offline and sync once you're back in range. WDI, wind mitigation and 4-point forms are built in, and the Template Center is full of templates from working inspectors.

Palmtech collects your fee up front. With Spectora's Pay at Close, buyers pay at closing and you get paid the next business day after you publish. Add Spectora Advanced, and a skipped radon test or sewer scope gets an automatic follow-up. See how Spectora compares.

How to switch from Palmtech to Spectora

Step 1: Set up your template

You have two ways to get your template ready, and you can mix them.

Start from the Template Center. It's stocked with templates built by Spectora and shared by working inspectors, including specialty templates like the NPMA-33. Add one to your library, then customize it to match how you inspect.

1. From your dashboard, click Templates.
2. Click Template Center.
3. Pick a template and click Add Template.

Here's more on finding templates in the Template Center.

Import from a spreadsheet. If you have your comments in a spreadsheet, you can import it as a new Spectora template. Format it with Spectora's columns (section, item, comment name, comment text and so on), save it as .xls or .xlsx, then:

1. Click Templates, then the three dots in the top right corner.
2. Click Add Templates, then Import from a Spreadsheet.
3. Select your file and click Import Template.

Your new template shows up in My Templates as "Imported from XLS" with today's date. Here's the full guide, with a sample spreadsheet.

Step 2: Set up with a specialist

You don't have to figure out setup on your own. Every new customer gets 1-on-1 onboarding with our team, who will help you set up your account for how you run your business. When you move to Spectora Advanced, an Advanced onboarding specialist also helps you build your upsell, reminder and review automations.

Step 3: Learn at your own pace

Spectora University's on-demand courses cover everything from your first report to running a multi-inspector business. The Support Center has 500+ articles you can search anytime. And when you have a question mid-setup, live support is available Monday through Saturday, averages a 1 minute 33 second response and holds a 95% satisfaction rating.

What you get with Spectora Advanced

Advanced adds the back-office tools to Spectora for $4 per published report. On average, Advanced users see $900+ in additional revenue each month. With Advanced, you can:

• Upsell automatically. When a client books without radon or a sewer scope, a message goes out before inspection day. Advanced users average $76 more per inspection.
• Build automations your way. Pick a trigger, add your own conditions, and send an email, text or webhook.
• Let AI write your messages. AI Message Assist writes the emails and texts your automations send. You review them before they go out.
• Get paid your way. Pay at Close lets buyers pay later while you get paid now.
• Run payroll faster. PaySplits calculate what each inspector earns per job, ready to export.
• Build the metrics you need. Track revenue or inspections by inspector, agent, service, ZIP code or month.
• Connect your tools. Use the Public API and AI Connector to work with your Spectora data in tools like Claude or ChatGPT.

See what Advanced can do for your business
Advanced users average $76 more per inspection from automated upsells alone. That $4 per published report pays for itself on the first add-on you sell.

Explore Spectora Advanced →

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to build my template from scratch? No. You can start from a template in the Template Center, built by Spectora and shared by working inspectors, or import your comments from a spreadsheet.

Will someone help me make the switch? Yes. Every new customer gets 1-on-1 onboarding to set up their account. Advanced customers also get a specialist who builds their automations.

Does Spectora work on my devices? Yes. Spectora has apps for iOS and Android and a web editor you can use on any computer. Your notes, photos and comments stay in sync between them.

Does Spectora have AI? Yes. AI Comment Assist turns your notes into clear comments, and AI Message Assist writes your automated emails and texts. Match, which pairs your spoken observations with comments you've already approved in your template, is in early access. You review everything before it goes in your report.

Ready to make the switch?

Current Palmtech users get 50% off their first year, 6 months of Advanced free and 1-on-1 setup.

Claim your switch offer →