How much should a home inspection cost?

[Ted Allen]

http://www.nachi.org/forum/f54/much-should-inspection-cost-posted-john-smith-16317/


I think you are all nuts. A home inspection will cost what the market in the area you live in will allow.. I will give you a for instance....

I get a call for a 4000 sq. home no pool; nothing extra.

I charge $419.00 the other top guys charge between $399 and $469. The others charge from $175-250.

If the client has done his job then the chances are good that the top 5% of the price range will get the job.
I think that at least 75% of the time myself or the other top dollar folks get the job.












I hate having to drag **** from places I cannot post!!

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by tallen

A home inspection will cost what the market in the area you live in will allow.

For the most part, yes. However, as Jerry Peck proved in Florida, and as I proved here in San Diego, one can control the pricing in a niche market if one is willing to work hard.

When I started offering different inspection choices, including my WALK inspections with START AT $49, my average inspection fee went up. I have no doubt that the fact that I was offering PREMIUM and TECH inspections, while too expensive for most people, certainly indicated a significant value to my services, which, in and of itself, showed the value of my STANDARD and BASIC inspections. When advertising commenced about my different inspection choices, Realtors who had never used me all of a sudden were calling me to have me inspect monster homes for their Clients. And monster homes have higher inspection fees, thereby raising my average inspection fee.

While I agree with Nick Gromicko to a certain extent that raising prices indicates value and can increase business, generally I've found it not to be true in our industry simply because the general public has no idea what value is in our industry. Ask them about the value between a Cadillac and an Escort, and they know. Ask them about the value between Wal-Mart and Nordstrom, and they know. But they have not a clue about value in home inspections between ABC Company and DEF Company.

Consequently, on a 1,500-SF home, when I advertised TECH inspections at $1,249 and PREMIUM inspections at $799, all of a sudden they saw the value in a STANDARD inspection at $499, whereas my competition is charging $299. And if a prospective Client wants that $299 inspection—ta da!—I have a BASIC inspection priced at $299.

Of course, simply advertising TECH inspections and PREMIUM inspections is not the thing to do. One should actually put together TECH inspection and PREMIUM inspection protocols just in case someone calls and requests one (Hi, Brett! ).

[Ted Allen]

Originally Posted by rray

For the most part, yes. However, as Jerry Peck proved in Florida, and as I proved here in San Diego, one can control the pricing in a niche market if one is willing to work hard.

When I started offering different inspection choices, including my WALK inspections with START AT $49, my average inspection fee went up. I have no doubt that the fact that I was offering PREMIUM and TECH inspections, while too expensive for most people, certainly indicated a significant value to my services, which, in and of itself, showed the value of my STANDARD and BASIC inspections. When advertising commenced about my different inspection choices, Realtors who had never used me all of a sudden were calling me to have me inspect monster homes for their Clients. And monster homes have higher inspection fees, thereby raising my average inspection fee.

While I agree with Nick Gromicko to a certain extent that raising prices indicates value and can increase business, generally I've found it not to be true in our industry simply because the general public has no idea what value is in our industry. Ask them about the value between a Cadillac and an Escort, and they know. Ask them about the value between Wal-Mart and Nordstrom, and they know. But they have not a clue about value in home inspections between ABC Company and DEF Company.

Consequently, on a 1,500-SF home, when I advertised TECH inspections at $1,249 and PREMIUM inspections at $799, all of a sudden they saw the value in a STANDARD inspection at $499, whereas my competition is charging $299. And if a prospective Client wants that $299 inspection—ta da!—I have a BASIC inspection priced at $299.

Of course, simply advertising TECH inspections and PREMIUM inspections is not the thing to do. One should actually put together TECH inspection and PREMIUM inspection protocols just in case someone calls and requests one (Hi, Brett! ).

I have thought long and hard about the basic, tech etc. and have come to the conclusion that you are full of ****( no offence) I offer a choice of 2. It's either the normal inspection or it's the full blown elevater man inspection for giant homes; obviously. I have booked and done 4 giant home at 11k sq+. takes 2 days and cost a farking fortune. To be honest I would much rather do the giant homes as they are much more lucritive. and a hell of alot more fun.

I am not to sure about your deal with NACHI, but I wish you the best.


Best regards,

Todd

[wforsyth]

Originally Posted by tallen

http://www.nachi.org/forum/f54/much-should-inspection-cost-posted-john-smith-16317/


I think you are all nuts. A home inspection will cost what the market in the area you live in will allow.. I will give you a for instance....

I get a call for a 4000 sq. home no pool; nothing extra.

I charge $419.00 the other top guys charge between $399 and $469. The others charge from $175-250.

If the client has done his job then the chances are good that the top 5% of the price range will get the job.
I think that at least 75% of the time myself or the other top dollar folks get the job.












I hate having to drag **** from places I cannot post!!

$600 for the one you're looking at in electrical. 3000 sq ft.

[wforsyth]

Originally Posted by tallen

I have thought long and hard about the basic, tech etc. and have come to the conclusion that you are full of ****
Best regards,

Todd

ROFLMAO!!!!

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by tallen

I have thought long and hard about the basic, tech etc. and have come to the conclusion that you are full of ****( no offence).

That's why I have toilets in my house.

Originally Posted by tallen

To be honest I would much rather do the giant homes as they are much more lucritive. and a hell of alot more fun.

Ditto.

Originally Posted by tallen

I am not to sure about your deal with NACHI, but I wish you the best.

So I'll be seeing you in Toronto?

[Ted Allen]

Originally Posted by rray

That's why I have toilets in my house.


Ditto.


So I'll be seeing you in Toronto?

Not a chance friend...............

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by tallen

Not a chance friend...............

Darn. But somehow I knew that. Intuition?

[Ted Allen]

Originally Posted by rray

Darn. But somehow I knew that. Intuition?

Common sence. I would think..

[Russel Ray]

Hey, Todd. Send an email to me at thehometeamsd@aol.com.

[Ted Allen]

Originally Posted by rray

Hey, Todd. Send an email to me at thehometeamsd@aol.com.

I will, most likely.