Inspection Fees

[klott]

Thanks Wesley, I'll try that. Ken

[Vern Mitchinson]

Seven years ago I had my house appraised and paid $250.00
Last month I met two appraziers while inspecting houses.
They both told me that now to be certified and licensed they had to have a university degree and were charging $150.00 per inspection. One of them had seven booked that day. Sounds like licensing has had a depressing effect of their fees as licensing has had on us.
Neither one was on site for more then 30 minutes.

[waksell]

A vendor wants to get as much as possible for their product.

A consumer wants to pay as little as possible for that product.

Where the two parties agree on a compromise is the fair market value.

This is the point where I said "if they don't cry when you give them the price, you didn't charge them enough".

When they complain, thats when you know you have reached the maximum they are willing to pay.

You can always lower your price to get the job if you have to much easier than you can raise you price.

Just don't let them know you are lowering the price because you need the work. Tell them something like "inspections after 3:PM are $20 less, would that work better for you?" Let them think they are getting a deal from you, not that you are willing to cut your own throat just to work.

Disclaimer: These are just some ideas that I have used in my cabinet business. I don't know if they would work in the HI business, since I have yet to perform my first paid inspection. Use at your own risk.

[John Evans]

I completely agree, and always tell prospective clients that we are not the lowest price inspection company in this area, and the reasons why............

John Evans

[waksell]

This is not meant to be negative toward anyone, don't know if its true or not, just a story I heard.

When I was a young boy, an older man told me that he would always do business with a Jewish man on Monday mornings. Something about the Jewish faith that they had to make a deal on Monday. The old man would go to the Jewish man and give him a price double the normal amount, and let him talk him down, but still higher than the normal price. Both men were happy with the deal.

This is how I learned you can lower your price and still get what you want.

Another one; My buddy with the motor home shop, I was helping him move one time and we were throwing a bunch of stuff out. We filled up his dumpster and started using the neighbors. I told him we were gonna get in trouble. He said "its easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission".

[Barrie Inspector]

I believe that there is far too much competition to simply raise our fees at whim. This would need to be regulated.

In my area, some guys advertise at $99.

[nwagner]

Originally Posted by rray

I have none.
I don't know.

And I probably won't see a need for it anytime in the future because I offer my Clients choices, choices, choices, so they can choose my PREMIUM or TECH inspection if the STANDARD inspection price is too low for them. Tips and free meals also are accepted.

Ahhh, now I understand what those inspections entail! I bet the Realtors really hate the TECH inspection.

[nwagner]

Originally Posted by Russell J. Hensel

I don't compete with low end services. When people call and ask for a price. I tell them if price is your number one concern, then why have the inspection at all?

Amen to that! I will always make that point but half the prospective clients refuse to believe that our state's licensing is bare minimal and virtually unenforced. I wasted my money on the inspection of the house I live in because the inspector did the bare minimum and was anything but educational. The skeptics don't believe that.

Originally Posted by Russell J. Hensel

Then I give them the names of the cheap companies here in town.

That's beautiful! I would do that but I've found that cutting down my competition has cost me a few jobs, particularly with know-it-all realtors who think their guy has the goods because he's done it for them for years.

Originally Posted by Russell J. Hensel

I am NOT going to be the same price when I give a report on site with digital photos, I have a thermal infrared camera, use state of tha art equipment and can email from on site!

This works only when you can convince them that this stuff makes a big difference. Some prospective clients fanatically believe that I go the extra mile simply so that I can charge them more. I simply state that I go the extra mile so that they will be truly equiped with the knowledge they need to make decisions wisely and in confidence. If my business did any less, we would be one of the struggling dime-a-dozens in the area. If I did any less, the threat of litigation would make it hard for me to sleep at night.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by nwagner

Amen to that! I will always make that point but half the prospective clients refuse to believe that our state's licensing is bare minimal and virtually unenforced.

The real estate salesmen and trial lawyers in Kansas are pushing legislation and have a bill they are presenting that, in my opinion, speaks volumes as to the ignorance of legislation and the legislators who pass it.

If this bill in Kansas passes...those inspectors who have been in business for 3 years AND who have had more than 300 inspections are "grandfathered".

Those who have less than that will, before being allowed to pay the state money to work as a home inspector, attend an 80 hour class.

There you have it. One 80 hour course of instruction is the equivalant of three years in business AND 300 inspections.

So...his first day on the job, a licensed inspector in Kansas will have his State's permission to represent himself as the equivalant of a 3 year/300 inspection veteran...by virtue of his license. This, mind you, is a bill that is supposed to "protect the consumer".

Licensing solves nothing.