An clear and concise walk-though inspection waver might bridge that gap.
James Bushart is the organizations leading member on this type of claim, if I am not mistaken.
Joe Ferry or Mr. Cohen, organization attorneys, would have some impute as well.
Hopefully other will chime in.
In Ohio, “walk & talks” would not be in compliance with state law.
“Home inspection” means the process by which a home inspector conducts a visual examination of the readily accessible components of a residential building for a client.
“Home inspection report” means a written report prepared by a licensed home inspector for compensation and issued after an on-site inspection of a residential property.
“Licensed home inspector” means a person who holds a valid license issued pursuant to section 4764.07 or 4764.10 of the Revised Code to conduct a home inspection for compensation or other valuable consideration.
(A) No person shall knowingly conduct a home inspection or represent a qualification to conduct a home inspection for compensation or other valuable consideration unless that person is licensed pursuant to this chapter as a home inspector or performing a parallel inspection.
(B) No person shall perform a home inspection unless it is performed pursuant to a written contract entered into between a licensed home inspector and a client.
© No person shall perform a home inspection unless the home inspection conforms to requirements specified in rules adopted by the Ohio home inspector board pursuant to division (A)(10) of section 4764.05 of the Revised Code.
(D) No person shall knowingly make or cause to be made any false representation concerning a material and relevant fact relating to the person’s licensure as a home inspector.
Are the questions here about Liability insurance or E&O insurance? The former seems like it would be the primary concern; something happens to break while you’re at the house (not that you broke it) and the blame is put on the inspector.
Without a written report and with a clear understanding that a “home inspection” is not being performed it would be awfully hard for a client to file an E&O type claim. I’m not saying some bozo out there wouldn’t try but it seems like “what if…” territory.
With respect to state license rules I think it is important to call these something other than an “inspection”. Call it an assessment, evaluation, what ever. Plus it seems like a common thread in state rules defining Home Inspections is that there is a Home Inspection Report produced. No report, not an inspection.
Inspection vs Consultation. ALL types of contractors, architects, remodelers, etc walk thru a house talking about VISUAL conditions they see that an existing homeowner OR buyer MIGHT want to address in the future WITHOUT it being an INSPECTION … No outlets are checked, no electric panel or furnace covers removed, no roof or attic climbed, etc.
They Walk & Talk AND their customer makes notes if they want
Nick. Regarding Home Buyer’s skipping inspections… Clearly that will differ from market to market, but what percentage of home buyers do you estimate are choosing to take that risk and skip it?
Great option instead of not getting an inspection all together, but im just seeing $ go out the window with this. This means no sewer scope, no radon test, etc (these are the money makers). If you could get three of these a day that’s great! But im not seeing it. There was a local big inspection company (Denver) offering $295 for inspection, radon and sewer scope. Its getting ridiculous…
But i guess its better than no inspection at all. 🤷
Are there any templates for a walk-through inspection or checklists created for this?
In my area (at great risk, in my opinion) agents are actually advising potential buyers that “if they want any chance at getting their offer accepted, they should opt out of having an inspection.” You’ll never see this in writing, but I know it’s being said. “With extremely low inventory, there is high demand. Skip the inspection and write an offer over ask if you want a chance.” I feel like it’s dangerous and irresponsible. We’re not buying a t shirt here folks. This is a huge investment for most people and they are being asked to walk in blind. Plus it’s bad for business.
I’m about a year late to this conversation, but what are folks charging for a walk through? I started my business 2 years ago, so things have been interesting. I’m a new inspector and also trying to buy a house. I’m finding it really insulting to be told by realtors to skip the inspection on a home I’m looking to buy, as I’m introducing myself and handing them my card. I have gotten all of my business by word of mouth and have found it hard to connect with realtors. Most of my business has been with homeowners wanting ancillary services or annual inspections. I want to connect with the other home buyers and be their adversary. Any advice?
I would do it on an hourly rate basis. Your hourly rate X1 for the consultation (assuming about an hour consultation) plus your hourly rate X your drive time.
So let’s say your hourly rate is $120 and the drive is 30 minutes each way. That would be 2X your hourly rate, or $240.
Thank you very much, Ryan! That is very helpful.
Welcome to our forum, Benjamin!..enjoy participating. 
Each area is different. As you get experience, try to stay in the upper residential, and other, markets.
When I was doing that 7 years ago, my smallest condo was $475.00 and I got no push back from my prices because the word spread on my quality instead of price.
Sorry for reviving old thread. Popped up on my feed like it was recent, or so I thought.
I charge $250 for about a half hour consultation.
I use my average drive time of 45 minutes round trip, add 36 minutes for the consult, and multiply by $130/hour. $175.50
Then, I add the receptionist fee, mileage expense at the federal rate, credit card fee, and inspection software fee. These are all of my variable costs for the consult. $69.22
Total is $244.72. I round up for a clean number because I don’t want to signal cheap grocery store pricing and it’s easier to remember.
Based on some competitor’s pricing for these consults in my area, they either don’t value their time at a sustainable labor rate or fail to properly account for their variable costs. I’ve heard of some guys charging only $150 for these (hopefully higher than the last time I got this info a year ago). If I charged $150, I’d only earn $71 for my effort and I still have fixed operational costs to pay. What’s the point?
Keep in mind that these can clog up your calendar too, potentially costing you the opportunity to do a full inspection.