What would I charge for only inspecting a single section; my client has requested an inspection of just the crawl space to assess the foundation.
I guess it would depend on the crawlspace. How “crawl” is it?
The “crawlspace” in my prior home was 6 foot high, concrete floor in half of it, the other half was through a 24x18 opening, dirt floor and 24 inches high. The good half was unfinished so considered a crawlspace.
I inspected a modular home with about 14 inches under the structural beams. I would charge $500 to enter that thing if I had a do-over.
It would also depend on how much travel. If it’s 10 minutes away, can get in relatively easy, it’s dry, I’d probably be way cheaper than an hour drive in a wet, dank, low, leaky septic hellhole.
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Along with Mark’s hellhole, if you want to be more than fair, maybe $150 is fair, then add $50 to be more than fair which would come to $200.
Really, one could just figure what their time is worth, then calculate the complete time/profit involved and make that the price.
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My first question to the client would be what is he wanting me to look at in the crawl space. If it is plumbing or insulation that is one thing. If it is to determine if structural deficiencies are present and any repairs needed, then I would recommend he start with a structural engineer.
As far as price goes, if it is a one story home, you are inspecting the same square footage as the interior but usually under much worse conditions. I would charge no less than half of my normal fee for that size of home.
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I won’t do partials. Too much liability and room for misunderstanding. Just the crawl space for the foundation? What about the plumbing or electrical in the crawl space? Or heat ducts? Rodents? I can just hear the phone call complaint… “Well, you were down there. I just can’t believe you didn’t notice to old rusty pipes.”
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The client is primarily concerned about the building’s foundation, and since the crawl space was inaccessible during my general inspection due to a nailed shut entrance, Should I recommend they hire a structural engineer to assess the foundation.The drive time is an hour and the square footage of the home is 1794sqft
Did you notice any structural “red flags” (cracks, sloping floors, doors out of alignment, etc.) when you did the general inspection.
Did you recommend they have the crawlspace and foundation made accessible and inspected (by someone, contractor, you, etc.) when your completed the original inspection?
And how long ago was that?
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I realize it is too late now and this isn’t your question, but I would have been pulling nails since it is so far away, unless there were like 50 of them or something. If it is closer, then maybe not since it won’t cost them an arm and a leg for me to come back.
At this point, 1 hour of driving, 30-60 minutes onsite, and 30 minutes to update report, I’d want to charge for the full 2-3 hours, which would be just under the price for a full inspection I suppose. You could reduce it a bit from there to “treat em right.”
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This is different than a cold call on the phone. You have a client to satisfy. I understand it was not your fault, but do you have screwdriver? Hammer? Pry bar? There is an expectation for you to make a reasonable attempt on such as critical component. (the expectation should be upheld by your work ethic)
Take it easy on them with the price. Make it a win win.
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There were noticeable cracks on the exterior of the home, and around the windows and doors, but there were no visible issues on the inside.
Since it’s an existing client, I would make the trip back out and charge a trip fee, but would not include any type of written report, just a verbal report of any issues.
If they wanted a written report, I would then charge a fair price for an inspection of the entire crawlspace and all systems in the crawlspace, and would write the report as an addendum to the original report.
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$5,832.33! 
I’m with Ryan, 3 hours plus vehicle mileage; $250 minimum… unless you don’t value your time.
Adding my math to this post:
50 truck miles x 2 (round trip) x $.65 = $65.00
Travel time: 1 hour x 2 (round trip) x $60 = $120
Pre preparation/report revision: 1 hour X $60 = $60
CS inspection time = $0.00
Total (rounded up) = $250
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Steven,
If you were not able to access or inspect the crawlspace during the orignial inspection and your client has not closed on the house I would charge a nominal fee of say $100 and make an addendum to the original report. If they have closed on it already, I wouldn’t touch this inspection with a ten foot pole and recommend that they hire another inspection firm.
??? One hour drive time each way, probably 50 miles each way at $.65/mile for your truck - that leaves you $35 for your time. Three hours of your time; $12/hour gross, prior to taxes and overhead. You’re losing money!
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Yes, it would be a wash in the interest of keeping good relations with a client and gaining their future business and/or referrals.
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Did your Home Inspection FEE cover the cost of inspecting the crawlspace if it was accessible?
If so, you should only be charging for the return Trip Fee, as you were already compensated for the inspection portion!
If not, and you discounted your fee due to the lack of access, you should charge the amount that you discounted plus the return trip fee.
That is how a Professional Businessperson would handle this situation!
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Four ‘MAJOR’ components of a HI. Roof, Foundation, Electrical and Plumbing. If the interior of the foundation inspection was not accessible at the time of inspection, I would charge a quarter of my original fee to reinspect, including time and milage. Then amend the report if needed.
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Thank you every one!
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