Discounts for first inspections?

[sdavies]

Question for all.

Any one used dicounts on the first inspections done for an agent?

Trying to see the pro's and cons?

Thanx

Steven

[Rob A. Parker]

No I do not give disscounts to new agents. Thier clients are the ones who pay not them. Give them a disscount onces and their back looking for one the next time they call. I have had enough of low prices caused by just this sort of thing,agents looking for deals so they can look like heros to the client and we are doing all the work and taking on the liabilty. I have a set starting price and that it take it or leave it and no kick backs to any agent no matter what. Sorry about the rant but just the way I feel.

[rwand1]

No discounts to realtors. The only discount is the discount I may give is my discount to the client. I.e. I give $25 off to clients who have a second inspection performed.

My minimum price is $400 for upto 2000 sq. ft. each additional 1k sq ft. is billed at $50.

[jrivera]

There lucky if I don't slap'm for good measure to keep'm in check lol

Mic

[Doug Edwards]

Does your Dentist give a discount on the first tooth he works on? If Home Inspectors want to be taken seriously we need to stop all the discount and bargain basement thinking. We hear constantly of the low-ball inspector that just opened up shop in our neighborhood and are getting all the action due to low prices. They soon learn they can not stay in business for long being the lower than snake crap home inspector in town. When any inspector hands out discounts, as someone said, the Realtor then thinks it is the norm and expects it every time after that. Set your prices, stick to them and let your report do your talking for you. If it is worth the money then it is worth the money. Don't sell yourself and your family short going after that one skin flint Realtor who is always looking for the free doughnuts, free ink pens and discount inspections. Your liability is not diminished in any way by a cheaper price tag.

[rwand1]

Charge more, work less!

our liability is not diminished in any way by a cheaper price tag.

BINGO!

[Rob A. Parker]

I'm glad to see there are some who are on my side. Keep the prices up and let the low ballers will blow away in the wind. We set the price not the realtor. It's our insurance and rep on the line not theirs, all they care about is their commission and nothing ells.

[rwand1]

We must realize as inspectors we carry a lot of weight. Sometimes more than the realtor likes or realizes.

[rrichards2]

How will I ever get my RHI if I don't do my 250 inspections for $199.00 each.

Just kidding! I couldn't resist.

[rwand1]

I guess you're not permitted to do the inspection 250 times on the same house eh?

Its also a good way to instill wrong inspection habits 250 ways to Sunday!

Cheers,

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by rrichards2

How will I ever get my RHI if I don't do my 250 inspections for $199.00 each.

Just kidding! I couldn't resist.

Was an RHI felt that association did nothing for the industry and left .
Here is a post I made earlier in the Members section on Engineers ,
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gee I just did an inspection for an engineer .
He paid me $700:00 I guess he understands there is a difference .
The father and son Both Engineers asked how far would I go to do an inspection.
I told them a lady wanted me to go 150 miles and I said I do not that far to an inspection she said oh yes you do I want you and only you .
I said $500;00 on top of my regular fee she said fair enough .
She was right I went and did an inspection for her .
This has happened more then once since then .
Just make sure you charge what you are worth .

Roy Cooke A Happy NACHI member
--

[Rob A. Parker]

Hay Roy R. you should move to London we got HI"s down here doing them for $180 or less (just kidding), hell we even have them giving 50 bucks to the realtor for every 3 inspection they get from them and their name goes in a draw for a free trip south. Have heard horror storys about some of them and seen some reports only 3 pages in one.I had one client this week tell me the inspector they used last time,her husband had to tell the HI what to put in the report.I gess he didn't know how to dettermine what size the hydro service was. And we wounder why HI are getting a bad rap,it only takes a few.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Hy Rob I do give the odd pen to an Agent that's about all.
I guess thats why my son ( who trained me ) when he lived in Burlington was paid ( I think $800:00 ) to go to London .
I guess they figured any one who only charge $180:00 was not fit to do an inspection.
Some figure they can get them selves started by charging less and then work their price up .
My Son Roy Jr says Dad you have so much more experience themost other Home Inspectors you should charge more ( who am I to argue with and expert) .
For my first inspection I was $25:00 more the any one else in my area and I have maintained that ever since .
Work less make more and Love it .
Turned down two inspections this week because I would not lower my price great feeling .

Get a better class of home usually.
We have about three + inspectors making a living and about 10 +trying to get established .

Roy Cooke ..RHI..CHI..CMI..CAHPI-ON

[rrichards2]

Rob,

I am thankful that I do not rely on home inspections to earn a living. I am a full time general contractor. I have been renovating and building homes for more than 20 years. I will not low ball my inspection fees to compete with every Joe Blow who took a course and is now calling himself a home inspector. My hat goes off to the veterans in this business that have been able to carve out a market for their service. Like some of these veterans, I feel that my experience is worth something too.

[rwand1]

Currently one P2P inspector in a certain association is sending a mailer out to realtors more or less stating P2P is insured while other inspectors in the area are not. Not only that the mailer promotes the insurance as a form of warranty!

That is wrong, and it should not be permitted. Its not only some morons waging war with price, its also about some morons using insurance to undermine the practice of other inspectors. Insurance is not a sign of competency!