No matter how you slice it, it is a welcome headache to have. If you need to do some outsourcing feel free to call us at JDB Property Inspectors. We are a two inspector firm based in Yorba Linda. 866-954-6770. We are here to help a brother NACHI inspector.
Get an Attourney, special insurance for the coverage, and a team of licensed contractors. Get their estimates for their services, and add in your fee that covers all subbed out expenses and Attourney fees. Such a high $ purchase will warrant this type of detail and liability.
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Ian. For those that are sitting back and eating popcorn. I am very interested in your next move, If you did the inspection, your procedure on the inspection, how much did you charge and ect. The movie has to have a ended. Good luck buddy.
Kenton- Thanks for the ‘posting the next day’ edit. My initial opening remarks were not intended towards you, but to the industry as a whole. It was about the innumerable times that this statement was/is used over the years. It’s a cop-out statement by inspectors who can not carry out a conversation where someone has opposing views (with supporting documentation in many cases). As I re-read it ‘next day’ I see where your coming from and I apologize. You and I have been around this block many times and I would expect we would agree on every subject, every time, for as long as we’ve been at it. We should always be able to agree to disagree.
To everyone else- When I make lengthily posts like these I am not spending all this time to tear anyone down, rather to inform as to how I have experienced it over the years. I only post factual information that I can support. I do not consider anyone’s fragile feelings and I address every Inspector out there, not just the OP. There is something to be learned from everyone on this board.
I only post to threads where I feel the industry is lacking and could use additional input on the subject. I don’t come here to argue, just relate the facts as I have experienced them. In this case, anyone who would jump in on this inspection should exhibit supernatural competence or my red flag pops up.
Exactly! But you came here ‘asking’ for opinion and help, did you not?
I would be that 1% of those who can help you out here.
It’s not criticism, that’s your perspective, from my perspective, about my ‘first impressions’, about your apparent ability, based on public record. It is assumption on my part, but my opinions are from available observations, which your perspective client also has access to.
I inspect stuff like this: 
And this: 
As many have voiced about insurance concerns, I carry $3M basic insurance just to park in their parking lot or get in the gate, and can get as much as I need on a case by case basis. Because as Larry pointed out;
It is important to have a good ongoing relationship with your agent.
They don’t just give these out, they look deep into your company contracts, reports, experience etc. In some cases you need a referral from your current provider. Home Inspection carriers seldom handle these riders, but do help set them up with someone that does. In most cases, you are required to provide proof of ‘Additional Insured’ in an amount required by the client/lawyer.
As for your web site; not only does your insurance guy look at it, so does the lawyers involved. Your page is fine for HI use, but may not cut it for this house.
You need to discuss everything we all talked about here with your client before you even get started. Find out what their expectations are and why they are considering you. Meet and exceed their expectations. If not, you may find your ass in the grinder. Can you talk the talk with someone who can afford this house? They don’t have time to fool with you and you have to be to the point and be sure to cover all the critical points. You also must be able to control and direct your subcontractors. Do you have any on retainer?
Most of the properties like this that I have been involved with were about someone getting sued! Some lasted 2 1/2 yrs and several months in court. It’s a bit unnerving to jump into the middle of a fight like that. If they are in the mindset to sue someone, they will not think twice to pull you into it as well.
Just a few more considerations…
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As a good rule of thumb, I use 1% of the sales price. You can adjust from there. So for this one $6500 would be the inspection cost. If someone wants to do it for way less, let them. That inspection will take you over a week.
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What’s up with you guys? %1 of $65,000,000 is $650,000 (six hundred fifty thousand) NOT $6,500 (six thousand five hundred).
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Maybe Ben needs to have a Certified Calculator class and badge 
…
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Haven’t said… “Got Logo?” in a while!!
Simon,
Sorry, my bad. You’re right.
Great answer. I came up with $7,000.
Personally, I would NOT take the job. This is one of those jobs that would NEVER go away. The liability would keep me awake.
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Hahaha gold. I think there needs to be a spelling and grammar course as well.
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Out of curiosity, did you do the inspection and how did it go?
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No way I’d try it… I’m afraid I’d walk in looking around like the Beverly Hillbillies when they 1st got to their new home with the “cement pond”… Welllll, doggies…"!
No less than 1% of the sales price.
I say this because you must have a power team to assist you. Tradesman, media, IT professionals, etc. This is the big league that goes beyond our (SOP) general property inspection.
You will have to pay your team well.
$650,000.00 ???
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At that fee, I’d take a cut and sub it out.
I’m sure you could wave enough money around to get a really good crew together.
Drag a bunch of guys out of retirement, it’ll be like Space Cowboys. Lots of “I’m too old for this shit”
Keep 20% for a finder’s fee and take a nice first class couple months in Japan and Australia.
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Yes. $650K this is big league and as a general building contractor of over 40 years a 1% fee on this level of estate is fair. I would have no problem charging this. If the client has a problem with the fee schedule maybe they can’t afford to take the risk on sinking 65 M ?
Inspectors with upper level experience don’t consider discounting their skills.
Even new builds aren’t free of flaws. You must be skilled enough to know where to look first for these with your team. And offer solutions to remedy.
I will regularly send 1% proposals to clients on 6 figure properties. I don’t get every bid. But in the contracting world I never did either.
[quote="Edward Rodriguez, (707)8340523, post:78, topic:175902, username:erodriguez9”]
Yes. $650K this is big league and as a general building contractor of over 40 years a 1% fee on this level of estate is fair.
[/quote]
Yes, I’ve been a licensed building contractor since 1973. But I also know that California is a different animal and if you can get a fee like that, more power to you.
It would be fun to see. Post them here when you have or will do them, okay?
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I think he means .01%, which would still be $65k…
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Just an FYI Edward, this thread was started back in October 2020. 
You’re not the first one, and certainly won’t be the last one to post in an old thread.
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