This is SO true. I had one client from India request a Sunday morning inspection during a 3-day holiday weekend. I originally discounted the inspection $25 bucks because I do try an be a tad bit flexible. He also wanted to make certain that I’d be done and ready for his family by 12pm.
I got everything done and was ready for them by 12pm. The walk-thru took well over an hour because they needed EVERYTHING explained to them as well as wanting repair suggestions, contractor suggestions, my opinion of repair costs, etc…
We were FINALLY done and I made the mistake of saying “the layout of this house makes it a bit easier to inspect than many others”. As soon as I said that, he responded saying “well since it was easier than would you be willing to discount the inspection anymore”? I remember thinking it was about one of the most low-down and rude requests I’ve ever had. I politely declined but it didn’t sit well with me. I did his inspection on a holiday, gave an initial discount, a Sunday, an early morning, and then spent 1.5 hrs with them only to end up being asked for MORE. I almost asked him if it would be suitable for me to charge people more than quoted if an inspection turned out to be a tad bit more difficult than expected.
I want name specific ethnic backgrounds but there’s a couple of them that I’d rather not even provide inspections for.
I quoted $1,200.00 for an inspection. The client was a physician by the name of Shah! He proceeded to haggle and got me down to $900.00
After about two or three hours of “steaming” I called him and asked what he did for a living. He told me that he was a doctor. I asked “do your patients come into your office and haggle with you over your prices”? He said no absolutely not!
I then asked why he thought it was okay to haggle with me over my price! He replied “well, I am an educated professional”! I replied… So am I!
I then explained that after second thought I would not be doing his inspection!
I explained that it was a 3 Hour Dr. up to the property, 3 to 4 hours for his inspection, and then a 3 Hour Dr. back to my home. I went on to explain that during that 10 hour timeframe I could do at least two inspections close to my home for double or triple the amount of money.
He pleaded with not to cancel the inspection and I explained it was too late!
I told him what I would and could do for him was to refer him to another inspector. I told him that the price would be $1,200.00 for this inspection or nothing at all.
I told the “good doctor” that if you was going to haggle over the price the with the other inspector that I was not going to refer one of my friends to him just so they could be insulted". He agreed not to haggle!
I then called the other InterNachi inspector who lived about 10 minutes away from the condo and explained situation. She was ecstatic!
{$1,200.00 for a 900sf, condo with a water quality test}
The bottom line is… You do not have to eat ****from the “customer”.
We are human beings and should treat our customers with dignity and… They should treat us with respect!
We do not have to accept each and every customer who comes our way!
So the bottom line is… I think you did the right thing!
Sorry, I was “typing in a hurry”! It was 900 ft.² per floor and there were two floors plus… And “open interconnecting storage attic” that extended over six units. When the customer asked me how long it was going to take I told him it “usually” takes 3 to 4 hours per inspection. An inspection of this type would usually take me from 2 to 3 hours.
Also, If it takes me three hours to conduct an inspection it usually takes me three hours to write the report.
This doctor told me that he conducted a lot of research over the Internet and that after a lot of investigation he felt that I was the only inspector that he could trust to conduct this inspection. I explained that besides being an inspector I was also an “businessman” and that it did not make any “financial sense” for me to lose so much of my day {6+ hours} traveling to do a single inspection.
I also explained that my rate is $150.00 per hour and that my time starts when I leave my office and ends when I return. So I figured if I was gone for 10 to 12 hours I should charge accordingly. Then I have to factor in the time I was going to spend writing this report.
The bottom line is… The "Good Doctor "gave me some really bad vibrations and I felt like he was a sleazy scumbag.
Once again… Neither you nor I are forced to “accept” a client! I have and still do turn down a lot of inspections. Especially those whose primary/initial question is… Do you have insurance in case I decide to sue you? {Or some variation thereof.}
I tell these “clients” that they should not have to worry about it because… I will not do their inspection for any amount of money! I have been in this business since 1972 and my instincts are right approximately 99.9% of the time.
Don’t get worked up about it. Did you know it’s part of some cultures to negotiate price and uncommon to pay full rate? I’m not saying you have to budge because you don’t but just keep in mind that when you are faced with this type of thing consider the client. They are not really questioning your worth but price negotiation is the normal process of doing business with them when they know the fee is set by the individual offering the service or selling their own goods.
You will also find that the busier you are the less this will bother you because you don’t have to worry about lowering your fee to fill that time slot. One way or another that time slot will fill and for the price you are asking.