Charging extra for crawl spaces...

[Billy Boerner]

To me this business is a passion. I truly enjoy it and I truly love soaking in all the advise and expertise you guys have to offer. I simply do it because it's exciting to me and I enjoy helping people especially those who tries to buy into the American dream and has saved years to do so. Now you know why my prices will always remain low. With that said though gas prices are crazy so I'll have to raise my rates to compensate sooner or later. By the way I'm new to InterNACHI. It's been great meeting everyone!!

PS. I'm sorry who ever posted "I'm a embarrassment to the profession" feels that way. But instead of judging why don't you tell me why you feel that way? If you make a valid point I'll be sure to listen to it and make changes from there. This board is meant to educate and that's why I joined InterNACHI to learn only from the best. So if you have something to say let me hear it.

[Michael W. Gault]

I charge more and have never had a problem justifying it. Most people watch you crawl out, stagger to the hose bib to clean your hands and forearms off before you begin to remove the respirator, headlamp and knee pads (then the suit at the truck) and say....

"you don't charge enough for that"... Honest.

And Crawls in SC are prevalent...

[Peter W. Bennett]

Russell, no mask in a crawlspace? Not healthy.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by pbennett1

Russell, no mask in a crawlspace? Not healthy.

I know, but neither are the burgers, fries, pizza, etc.

I remember my youth when I used to hide from my wise old grandmother in the crawlspace. Probably spent half my youth under the house. The other half was spent at school eating paste and lead paint, and sticking my fingers in the light sockets, yet I still have this awful straight stringy hair. Ah, yes, the good ol' days....

[William R. DeVries, CMHI]

Originally Posted by bboerner

Nice to meet you Nick.

I see your point. However why would you do it that way if it cost you business especially since most people only charge an extra $45 to $65 dollars.

I only add an extra cost if the crawl is wet and I ruin my tyvek suit, the replacement cost is 25.00 for this which all have been happy to pay.

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by wdevries

I only add an extra cost if the crawl is wet and I ruin my tyvek suit, the replacement cost is 25.00 for this which all have been happy to pay.

Wet crawlspaces can be dangerous. It only takes one of the many loose, hanging, exposed hot wires I've found under houses to turn the wet crawl into a lethal experience. Be careful under there.

[mnahrgang]

For those of you who don't charge extra because it is in the SOP you might want to consider this. Just because it's in the SOP doesn't mean you can't charge extra for it. Take this into consideration. If doing the crawl takes you an extra 45 minutes on that one house, and you don't charge extra for it, in a sense you are charging all your other clients more for theirs. I, on the other hand, charge my non-crawl clients less because it won't take as long. Fortunately, around these parts, crawl spaces are few and far between.

You might not like this part either. For fireplaces/chimneys, I disclaim them 100% in spite of what the SOP states we should inspect. I tell every client I have with a fireplace/chimney, that by me taking a peek inside, it tends to give folks a false sense of security. I personally believe very strongly that every fireplace should have a Level II inspection performed by a qualified chimney sweep. I also offer them the option of having that done as an ancillary service. It's an option that they can choose or not.

Just my 2 cents...

[Billy Boerner]

Great advice Mark. Thanks!

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by mnahrgang

For those of you who don't charge extra because it is in the SOP you might want to consider this. Just because it's in the SOP doesn't mean you can't charge extra for it. Take this into consideration. If doing the crawl takes you an extra 45 minutes on that one house, and you don't charge extra for it, in a sense you are charging all your other clients more for theirs.

However, one could take that analogy much, much further (and not directed at anyone specific notwithstanding my use of the pronoun "you"):

Do you charge more for inspecting attics? Many of the McMansions here don't have attics because of their vaulted ceilings. Most condos don't have attics, but some do.

Do you charge more for inspecting laundry areas? Many older homes here do not have laundry areas, and many condos have a common laundry room.

Do you charge more for inspecting fireplaces? Many homes and condos do not have fireplaces. On the other side of the coin, some McMansions have six or seven fireplaces.

Do you charge more for central heating and cooling? Walking around to all those vent registers to check air flow can be time-consuming, especially in a two-story McMansion with five systems.

Do you charge more for homes that have been lived in? After all, they probably have some occupant-caused damage that will need to be documented, meaning that a house that has never been lived in should be easier to do.

Do you charge more for the McMansion's six-car garage? More for those extra water heaters? More for the extra kitchen? More for multiple garbage disposals? More for this, more for that?

As I've stated in other places, I find it very convenient to simply average the time that it takes to do inspections. Over the years, I've found that it takes me about 1¼ hours for every 1,000 square feet, so I tell those who ask that it takes me about 1¼ hours for every 1,000 square feet to give me a little hedge room for older properties. If it takes me longer, oh well. I'm sure there will be a property that will not take me as long to do, so I'll make it up there.

If I really wanted to be religious about it, so to speak, I would simply charge $99 per hour with a base charge of $99. The base charge would pay for my travel time and gasoline. I know Jerry Peck was having success in Florida charging by the hour, but he had also been in business for a gazillion years. He also did 3-day inspections on nothing but McMansions, and his Clients always had the privilege of telling him when to stop inspecting, pay him, and everyone was happy.

There were many inspectors here (were is the key word there) who used to nickel-and-dime their Clients to death. Those inspectors are no longer in business here, and I think there's a reason why. For the most part, people just don't like to be nickel-and-dimed to death. It's a reason why I no longer have a land-line phone; I got tired of a $9.95 phone bill that ballooned to $80 with all the nickels and dimes for this and that.

I've generally found that in price-sensitive industries, it's better to be as simple as possible.

With all that said, there's nothing wrong with charging more for certain things. One simply has to understand how to do that. The best way is to advertise "Call for a firm price for your property and zip code that will be good for 30 days." Now, when they call, get all that information and then provide them a quote. Never, never, never say,
"Well, to travel out to your property will be $99.
Since you have a 1,750-SF house, that will be another $199 since I'll have to inspect the roof, exterior walls, and foundation.
Does it have a fireplace? Yes? That will be another $99.
Does it have central heating and cooling? It does? Great! That will be another $99.
Is the furnace in the garage, an interior closet, or the attic? The attic? Alright. That will be another $99 for the attic.
Do you know what kind of foundation it has? No? Well let me look it up in the public records. Hold on a minute. Okay, both the MLS listing sheet and the public records say that it has a raised foundation, so that will be another $99.
Do you have a laundry area? You do? Is it in a closet, a room by itself, or in the garage? A room by itself, probably with a sink, right? That's what I thought. Okay. Laundry room with a sink will be another $99.
And how big is the garage? Four car? Nice. That will be an extra $99 for the extra two car spaces.

Okay. I think we're there. Let's add all this up.
$99 for travel,
$199 for the roof, exterior walls, and foundation.
$99 for the fireplace.
$99 for the central air conditioning and another.
$99 for the attic.
$99 for crawling under the house.
$99 for the laundry room and sink.
$99 for the four-car garage.
Alright, that comes to $892."

Originally Posted by mnahrgang

You might not like this part either. For fireplaces/chimneys, I disclaim them 100% in spite of what the SOP states we should inspect. I tell every client I have with a fireplace/chimney, that by me taking a peek inside, it tends to give folks a false sense of security. I personally believe very strongly that every fireplace should have a Level II inspection performed by a qualified chimney sweep.

You don't even have to "personally believe" that in order to recommend it. I look at it like this, and this is what goes in my report and is in my home inspection agreement:

"Notwithstanding anything noted by RAY concerning the roof, the heating and cooling system, fireplaces and chimneys, and wood-destroying pests and organisms, RAY specifically and expressly recommends that CLIENT have a complete heating and cooling system evaluation before close of escrow, a CSIA Level II inspection of the fireplace and chimney before close of escrow, a complete inspection by a qualified termite and pest control professional before close of escrow, and, annually and prior to the next rainy season, a complete roof inspection by a licensed roofing contractor."

Readers can get a complete copy of my home inspection agreement at my wise old grandmothers iNACHI library.

I also "personally believe" what San Diego Gas & Electric and licensed plumbers here recommend concerning gas-using appliances, and water and gas shutoff valves, so I put this in my report, again notwithstanding anything that I might say in the report:

"Plumbing—Note: Licensed plumbing professionals recommend an annual inspection of all gas and water shutoff valves, and I cannot summarily dismiss their recommendations. Gas and water shutoff valves that do not get turned on and off regularly often fail when they are turned on or off, usually because of mineral accumulation within the valve, or rusted/corroded components. Such valves include the primary and secondary water shutoff valves for the property, and the valves at the toilets, sinks, laundry, and kitchen; and gas shutoff valves at the furnace, water heater, laundry, and kitchen. Notwithstanding anything noted in this report about gas and water shutoff valves, recommend having valves tested/inspected by a licensed plumbing professional before close of escrow."

I know some of my Clients listen and some don't, but I've protected myself regardless of what they do.

If one gets taken to task for one's "personal beliefs," make sure that one has the support of various third parties, such as common electrician recommendations (replace two-prong outlets with three-prong, etc.), plumbers (test all valves annually), etc. As my wise old grandmother once said, "Not responsible for recommendations not followed."

[Tim Spargo]

Originally Posted by rray

I guess I'm still young. I like "work more, charge more." Of course, even when I'm old, I'll probably be trying to work more. Kind of like Kevin Bacon said, "If you're not working, you've been forgotten." I hope I'm always young so that I can always work. When I can no longer work, someone please put me out of my misery.

After only a small amount of reading these forums... I think Russell is usually spot on.

And daggummit.... I charge more for crawls too... but I take that into account when talking to the customer.

[bemelander]

i agree with most of what RR said. I charge by the Sq fT and it's just easier.
Bill