Inspection Fees

[Scott W. Wyckoff]

Can anyone give me an idea on how much to charge for a typical home inspection? I think maybe I'm not charging enough.

[James H. Bushart]

Learn what the average fee is for your market area. This is a critical first step.

Then add 15% to that fee schedule, and offer a benefit that none of your competitors offer.

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by swyckoff

Can anyone give me an idea on how much to charge for a typical home inspection? I think maybe I'm not charging enough.

If you feel you are not charging enough you are right.

[Randy D. Stufflebeem]

Originally Posted by relliott

if you feel you are not charging enough you are right.

bingo!!!

[Scott W. Wyckoff]

I've been looking at several sites and the average seems to be between $250 and $325. Should I go by sq. footage or by how many bedrooms a home/condo, etc. has?

[James H. Bushart]

Do NOT go by bedrooms....or you will lower your fee everytime you find a room, formerly used as a bedroom, with no source of heat, inusfficient egress or that opens into the garage, etc.

Sq ft is the most common.

[Bob Elliott]

Scott there are many that publish prices and it goes by your local and what service you provide.
In general publishing prices is a mistake , lucky for you they still do.

Now if only Doctors ,Lawyers and the Auto ,mechanics would do the same.

[Christopher Currins]

Exactly, Do Not publish your price. The client will already have their answer and one less reason to call you.

Also, most estimate their fee by sq.ft., and age can be a factor. Another way is try to determine the location before you give them a price. A 2500 sq.ft. home located in one specific area may sell for 3 or 4 times the price it would in another.

[kpierce]

Scott, publish your prices. If you're interested why I believe it's a good practice, PM me or start a thread in the members only section.

[Steven Woods]

IMHO I think prices shouldnt be published. Not only does it give reason for a potential client to call you but it gives you the opportunity to sell yourself over the phone. I like introducing myself, explaining the inspection process, telling them that price is'nt everything, things like that.

[jrivera]

Originally Posted by relliott

Now if only Doctors ,Lawyers and the Auto ,mechanics would do the same.

What a Hoot !!!


Mic

[rmaday]

Originally Posted by kpierce

Scott, publish your prices. If you're interested why I believe it's a good practice, PM me or start a thread in the members only section.

OK...

http://www.nachi.org/forum/f2/should...blished-38569/

[Steven C. Meyer]

I see no advantage in posting prices. All you will get from that is the "price shoppers", and you lock yourself into a price that may not reflect the time and effort needed for each individual situation (house).

To me, the best bet is to garner as much information as you can as to the age, size, locatoion, etc. of the house and then charge a price that is comfortable to you and fair and equtable.

It also gives you the opportunmity to "sell" yourself to the client. Most customers will go with an inspector the feel comfortable with, price being secondary. It also gives YOU the opportunity to "interview" the customer, and make a judgemrnt call on if you even want to work with them.

For the ones who are looking for the lowest price, they probably are not a client you will want to deal with. They can become the most demanding of customers, wnating more for less $$$.

Each situation is unique, nor posting prices keeps your options open.

If you post a $300 (or other) inspection price just how are you going to explain a higher price if their inspection is not the "norm" that your published price is based on?

[kpierce]

Originally Posted by Steven C. Meyer

If you post a $300 (or other) inspection price just how are you going to explain a higher price if their inspection is not the "norm" that your published price is based on?

Use "starting at" prices.

[ldapkus]

I got a call from a realtor today asking how much for an inspection. I told her it would be $349. She said she told her client it would be $200-$250. I guess realtors set the price in some cases. I'm not that hungry.