Raising my FEE!

Report took a half hour, I use a PDF form I made in live cycle designer where I fill in report form from the state while doing the inspection. So I just have to add and edit notes and pics later. It’s fairly easy to carry an IPad, now when I can upgrade to ipad2 that will be even better…

For me seems like the pictures and having the iPad for notes is great. I even use the dictation software sometimes when there are many issues. I can do the entire process on my IPad with my camera (wifi linked sd card) very efficient.

I have a sample report on my site but it was for a large home. I am changing it a little, to add more recommendations like a few others have.

I just had a scenario last week with a client wanting a quote on an inspection. I went through my “speal” on why to choose me and gave them the quote of $400. I got a follow up email 2 days later saying that the buying agent said he is getting a $1,000 quick sale bonus from the seller, and he is offering to pay for the inspection from the bonus if they used the agents “preferred” inspector. They ultimately went that route.

I never responded to their email about going that route, they email again asking if I received the email. My response was “yep, I got it. I hate to hear that you’re allowing your agent to take advantage of you during such a delicate and important process.” No response from them, yet.

Ethically, this agent crossed the line big time in my opinion.

Happens frequently AND the “agents inspector” is suprisingly cheaper than you. EVER noticed that AND wondered why the “Agents Inspector” is NEVER more expensive than you.

Raise that thought in the clients mind OR just simply raise the issue of WHO do you want your inspector working for / YOU or the Agent.

Why are they letting Agents set the cost, that really should just be between you (HOme inspector) and the client, the agent doesn’t even need to know!

It would be interesting to try to set the agent’s fees to see how they react…
As for our rates, last year I came across a HI’s website in Houston area that quoted $199 for a 200 sqf, on top of that he had a coupon for $25 off to print off the site.
I hope he changed his rates since.

That’s way too low how can he do it that cheap? if it was built in 2011 in a city that required inspections then ok… But wait, Houston still doesn’t have a building code? Is that true still?

I’d love to be able to charge $1.00 sq/ft. :wink:

So would I!

So you should contact that HI, and find out how he does it!!! :wink:

;-):wink:

Yes, that is very cheap and that was for a regular home inspection, not a phase inspection.
Houston still doesn’t have zoning…but hey it makes it for an interesting layout, having schools, next to homes, next to liquor shops, next to porn shops etc… My favorite though is having found a log house right by NASA.

Gotcha!

Guys…
**Open your eyes and see what it says… NOT what you think it says! **
Still too cheap???

:mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

I said gotcha! :mrgreen:

Every now and then I mix up my sqf and m2 when typing…

Atta boy,Raise it so we can get paid like we should.

How many of you advertise your starting rate? I do for now but may take it off and see if I get more calls.

I don’t. I want the people to call me so I can tell them why I’m the one they should hire. It weeds out the ones who are just shopping around for the cheapest price. If I were to put a price on, I would most likely write “inspection starting at…” which would still make it necessary for client to call for an exact quote.

I do take square footage into consideration when pricing an inspection, but I also consider the sale price of the house I am inspecting, as this may give you some insight into how much your client may be willing to pay.

Ron Kerbe SpecWorx llc
Home Inspection Services

Nothing personal Ron, but I take this as being a dishonest and sleazy business practices. A home inspection, or any other service or product for that matter, should not be priced dependant on “how much a client is willing to pay”. If you meant it in the context of “fair market value” so be it, but I don’t believe you did, as your prices would reflect that already.

There is another inspector on the MB that charges more for the home being “on the other side of the tracks” and some day it will catch up to him. We each choose our own destiny, and he chose his. Don’t make the same mistake he does.

JMHO.

Now that’s a bunch of BS…

Quit twisting words.

At any rate…
The client is always willing to pay based upon what he has to lose for not doing it.

But then you LowBallers have no perception of this. It’s not about how much the job is worth, it’s about how much you can undercut somebody else and screw everything up for everyone.