Describe your pole network and defect codes. Makeform builds a field-ready power pole inspection form with asset IDs, condition ratings, equipment checks, photos, locations, and repair routing.
Send inspection records to Google Sheets, Slack, and Zapier.
Sample prompts for the builder
Choose a field scenario, adapt the details, or send the prompt into the Makeform builder. Each structure is an example you can edit.
Audience
Utility inspectors surveying distribution poles
Format
Mobile checklist with condition ratings and photos
Prompt size
243 chars
Example form structure
Mobile checklist with condition ratings and photos
Pole ID, circuit, material, and class
Pole and ground-line condition
Hardware, conductors, and attachments
Location and condition photos
Severity and recommended action
Suggested routing tags
No defect
Repair required
Urgent review
Use a unique pole ID and require a wide photo plus close-ups of every defect so office staff can match the record to the asset.
Step 1
Identify
match the record to the pole and circuit
Step 2
Inspect
check structure, hardware, clearances, and site
Step 3
Document
rate defects and attach useful photos
Step 4
Route
send repair priorities to the right team
Reliable field records
Keep asset identity, defects, evidence, and follow-up together instead of splitting them across paper, camera rolls, and later data entry.
Start with pole ID, circuit, owner, material, and coordinates so answers and photos stay with the correct asset.
Show details only for flagged decay, lean, hardware damage, clearance concerns, or unsafe access.
Capture severity, action, responsible group, and timing to create an actionable maintenance record.
Inspection programs
Keep your core asset fields stable, then tailor condition questions and urgency choices to the type of patrol your crews are performing.
Record condition, equipment, access, vegetation, and defects on planned patrols.
Prioritize downed structures, low conductors, road hazards, and transformer damage.
Add test methods, measurements, defect locations, and treatment history.
Inventory attachments, clearance concerns, climbing obstructions, and responsible parties.
Build your workflow
Describe your inspection standard, generate the structure, then adjust terminology, choices, and routing before field use.
Name the pole types, components, defect vocabulary, rating scale, photo requirements, and work groups used by your utility.
Make identifiers required, use controlled choices for ratings, and reveal measurements or close-up uploads only for relevant defects.
Have a field user complete a sample on the intended phone or tablet, then tighten labels and remove questions that slow the patrol.
Send submissions to an inbox or sheet and notify the appropriate reviewer when the selected severity calls for prompt attention.
Digital form vs paper
Pole inspections need exact asset identity, repeatable ratings, and visual evidence. Collection choices determine the cleanup after a route.
Field guide
These six sections create a practical inspection record. Match labels, rating definitions, and escalation steps to your own engineering and operations procedures.
Asset identity
Require identifiers first. Prefilled links can reduce typing, while confirmation fields help inspectors catch a mismatched asset.
Pole body
Use defined ratings and defect choices. Request measurements only when the approved inspection method needs them.
Top assembly
Group observations by component so reviewers can identify whether the pole, crossarm, guy, transformer, or another asset needs attention.
Surroundings
Record site conditions and let inspectors stop the assessment and route an alert when they cannot approach safely.
Evidence
Request a repeatable photo set. Label uploads by pole face, component, and defect so reviewers understand each image.
Disposition
Finish with rating, severity, and recommended disposition. Keep observations distinct from later decisions and completed work.
Related tools
Connect pole records with electrical inspections, equipment checks, safety observations, and maintenance requests.
Create checks for electrical equipment, observations, and follow-up.
Open toolBuild component-based condition checks for tools, machinery, and field equipment.
Open toolDocument site conditions, observed hazards, controls, and responsible follow-up teams.
Open toolRoute defects into repair requests with asset details and images.
Open toolRecord completed work, parts, findings, and recommendations after a field visit.
Open toolCapture standardized identity, ownership, location, and classification details for field assets.
Open toolFAQ
Answers for utility teams preparing a digital inspection workflow.
It records pole identity, observable condition, equipment, surroundings, photos, defect ratings, and follow-up. Adapt it for routine patrols, storm assessments, detailed checks, or joint-use reviews.
Include inspector, date, pole ID, circuit, material, class, location, access, pole body, ground line, hardware, equipment, attachments, vegetation, photos, severity, and action.
Yes. Request a full-pole view, asset tag, relevant pole faces, and defect close-ups. Clear upload labels make the images useful to remote reviewers.
Use your response procedures to define urgency. Conditional fields can collect controls and notifications, then route the record. Trained personnel determine the field response.
Yes. Show material-specific questions for decay, corrosion, cracking, or spalling while keeping identity, equipment, access, photos, and disposition consistent.
Yes. Add fields for coordinates, pole ID, circuit, route, address, and other asset identifiers. Require the unique ID and ask inspectors to confirm it.
Yes. Makeform offers unlimited free forms and responses. The paid tier removes the Makeform badge.
Send submissions to the Makeform inbox, Google Sheets, Slack, or Zapier. Structured priority, work-group, and action fields support consistent sorting and notifications.
Replace scattered notes with one field record.
