First, thank you for the kind words about my website and your consideration towards my services. In regards to your inquiry the inspection fee would be as follows.
Commercial Building $XXXX
Residential Building $XXX
This price would also include a full termite report on both buildings. The inspections will take 1 full day and reports would be available in two days or less. Again thank you for your inquiry and I hope to be doing business with you on this project and many more in the future. Any questions please let me know.
Billy Boerner
STL Home Inspection Services LLC
Now I get business by keeping my quotes short and sweet “when” people mention they already been to my site which pretty much does all the selling for me. If they don’t mention my site I go into what sets me apart yada yada. I would never send what you originally wrote. Rewrite in a professional manner and send.
The price shopper may have received a deal from you after all. In post one you state that your average rate for that type of structure would be $275.00 to $300.00 but then in post 15 you state your average price would be between $250.00 to $275.00.
I get quite few calls and email like that and I just figure they are not sure what to ask so here is what I respond back to them.
Thank you for your interest in my company and services.
We are a licensed home inspection company serving IA, MN and WI since 2008. Our inspections are a though investigation of the home from top to bottom including the electrical system, heating/cooling systems, gas detection and thermal imaging of the home.
We will provide you with a detailed report usually the same day.
We also provide mold, drug, environmental and radon testing at additional cost, discounted with a home inspection.
I am a:
• licensed home inspector
• BPI energy auditor
• Certified mold inspector
• Licensed lead paint risk assessor
• HUD inspector
• Licensed electrician
• Insured
The fee for your inspection would be $275 and please plan on me being at the home about 3 hours. I look forward to talking to you soon. Feel free to check out my web site for more information. www.tristatehomeinspections.org
I think your in a bad mood. That email is a good way to educate a first time homebuyer, let them know that there is more than price involved in hiring a home inspector. Who knows, maybe that type of response can get more referrals.
Someone asking just about price is someone who has absolutely no idea what a home inspection is. All they know is that it probably is going to cost some money. Such a question, then, is an invidation to educate them and sell one’s services.
I think I’ve been over this a few billion times in the past nine years. :roll:
Yea ,I hear ya Russ and I understand what you are saying though it makes me weary at times.
Guess I should have a standard draft for these emails by now.
This is actually nothing new but it has been a while .Hopefully the newbies will learn from this thread however.
I get the impression I would be more used to it if I signed up to Service Magic. :D…yes that is a rub.
I went through that yesterday, he didn’t care about the fee, but I did when I was there for five hours in 117 degree temperatures and the freaking A/C was about the only thing that DIDN’T WORK…:twisted:
After about 100 Lookie Here’s, I told him to write the check, we’re DUN…:shock:
Not even a third of the people that contact me make it through my interview process. When they are interviewing me, I am interviewing them. I seldom get a difficult client that way, any more. If I did not have a lot of work, I probably would not be so picky who I work for. There has been some people who interviewed me and wanted me to perform their inspection, but I declined. Then they just fly off the handle, and I am thankful I am not working for them.
Also there are some Realtors and contractors, that I have had a lot of trouble with in the past, that I will not allow them to step foot on the property when I am there. They like to argue it is their right to be at the inspection. I tell them, please show me in writing where my client agreed to your right to be present during the inspection. So far nobody has come up with anything in writing.
The way I see it, is if they have a continued past history of causing problems during the inspections, I will not be able to concentrate on the inspection at hand.
Simple questions to ask is why then tell them that to shop around is like going to a used salesmen.“You get what you pay for”. Before they go much further ask them to check you out. Give all the info you can but before they leave get the Name, Address and phone number. Tell them to call back if they want to book an appointment and don’t force it.
It will be on there mind if they are making the right decision in getting a cheap Inspection.
You have planted the seeds of doubt and if they don’t call it was best you didn’t get it anyways.
Does not work well if you are a low baller!
BTW I have a few snakes in the grass here also. They now to stay out my way.
I am a professional, full time home inspector who exceeds the legal reauirements for home inspection and reporting. As such, my prices are a little higher than the average.
I do not “discount” my fees (except for service members and return customers).
The reason that you contacted me is because you realize this and want the best inspection possible.
So, there is your answer.
I have also had a number of inspection requests from Realtors and Lawyers for their own houses. They request a “summary only” type report (whatever the heck that is). I do the inspection and only write the stuff that would be in the summary. Invariably, they call or e-mail back for more detail. I respond, "You only asked for a summary, that is what you get. You want more “detail”, then pay for it (You cheap-a**ed idiot!).
I would rather have a reputation for being good and expensive than being known for being good and cheap (or, for being a chump who is eager for business, and willing to work on the cheap).
