Price estimates

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by kblanchard

do you know of any states that prohbit ?

If there are, there are not many. Licensing laws are normally purchased from state politicians by real estate salesmen (through their state association lobbyists) or by home inspectors attempting to restrict competition. This is not normally a pivotal issue for them and it is rarely addressed in the laws that they buy.

[Casey Patten]

Keith, I think we're all curious as to where you're located...mind posting your info, so we have an idea of what part of the country we're dealing with?

[Keith J. Blanchard]

no i dont mind i am from Louisiana, i want to make it clear i am not intrested in restricting competition , and yes i do get guessestimates on a few inspections, i am looking to pursue this for the industry and protection of the client so they have accurate estimates and reduce out libality, I acutally have the thumb up from the board just looking for more info to be presented to the state goverment

Keith

[Scott Patterson]

I do not know of any state that prohibits an inspector from providing repair cost estimates. It is a stupid practice to do so, IMVHO but many feel the need to do so.

If it was me I would provide a pre-made list of the most common repairs as a part of my report. List everything you can think of that you might find wrong with a home. Then put your estimate down in a range of price, i.e. Repair/Replace Elec. Breaker... $150 to $300... Repair leaking toilet seal.....$100 to $200 etc.....

I would never have any repair under $100 and I would always give a wide range in price. I would also have a statement that you should get a firm and accurate quote from the licensed professional before having any repairs done.

Just my two cents...

[Keith J. Blanchard]

Hey Scott

I have done that, made a chart with price ranges, then low and behold the agent calls me and says ohh this is a generic list not specific to this inspection, lol u just cant win, the only state i know of is Mass. which prohibits that action

[Robert W. Jude]

its not rocket science

[Keith J. Blanchard]

so true ,lol

[rwilson9]

I'm sure this is a grey area for inspectors in other states. California does not require an inspector to have a license however you absolutely need a contractors license to offer a bid for repairs. So my understanding is that the Contractors State License Boards laws and regulations exceed any home inspectors association rules of ethics. There for it would be quite unwise to go out offering priceing if you are not a licensed contractor. This practise could rendor you liable in several different ways. So for all you unlicensed inspectors in California do the construction and real estate industries a favor and "don't offer bid pricing". The slimy property preservation companies are making a killing on using unlicensed workers and kicking people out of there homes.

[Keith J. Blanchard]

thanks looked into the state board of contracting here, nothing in there prohibit giving estimates from unlicensed contractors , but did find another state which prohibits HI'S from giving price estimates they are Mass and New Hampshire

Keith

[Peter C. Russell]

Originally Posted by kblanchard

thanks looked into the state board of contracting here, nothing in there prohibit giving estimates from unlicensed contractors , but did find another state which prohibits HI'S from giving price estimates they are Mass and New Hampshire

Keith

Keith, I don't believe NH has a law against it. I know it was brought up during licensing but I don't think it ever made it into the statute.

Here's what I found.

Inspectors shall perform services and express opinions based on genuine conviction and only within their areas of education, training, or experience.

Maybe Carla will chime in.

[Keith J. Blanchard]

Hey Guys

Just wanted to tell you the latest on this issue, the HI board has polled the inspectors asking them
Do you think that the Home Inspectors in Louisiana should provide cost estimates for their clients? Yes or No

Hope they go with the concensus of the inspectors as most of them do not agree in providing them but forced by the agents .

[Joseph Hagarty, CMI]

Originally Posted by Scott Patterson

I do not know of any state that prohibits an inspector from providing repair cost estimates. It is a stupid practice to do so, IMVHO but many feel the need to do so.

If it was me I would provide a pre-made list of the most common repairs as a part of my report. List everything you can think of that you might find wrong with a home. Then put your estimate down in a range of price, i.e. Repair/Replace Elec. Breaker... $150 to $300... Repair leaking toilet seal.....$100 to $200 etc.....

I would never have any repair under $100 and I would always give a wide range in price. I would also have a statement that you should get a firm and accurate quote from the licensed professional before having any repairs done.

Just my two cents...

I will provide estimations to Clients (when requested), for an additional fee.

The Report is separate and in addition to the HI Report, delineating sources of Cost Estimations
on a Replacement basis (Cost to Cure).

While many complaints when provided, I have never underestimated....