Setting a Higher Price

Local Inspection Issues Florida Home Inspectors
#1

Its common here on the forum to see inspectors upset about inspectors pricing an inspection too low.

Here is the thought that goes through my head when I see an inspection price, lets use a home purchase inspection as an example.

2000 SF house - $249 home inspection.

1 hour preparation for the inspection (Permits, Scheduling)
3.5 Infield Inspection
3.5 Hours Creating and Reviewing Paperwork
1 Hour Explaining Report to Client
1 Hour Misc Customer Service

Total 10 Hours

Now lets add costs (Assuming 10 Inspections / Month)
Inspection Software - $10
E & O Insurance - $10
GL Insurance - $5
Auto Costs - $25
Taxes - $20
Marketing - $19

Net Inspection Fee $249 - $89 = $160

$160 / 10 hours = $16 per hour.

Now here is the worst part. What if the inspections slow down? Get hurt? Lawsuit?

I have a business education and I know the idea of underpricing in order to get a piece of the market. That really is a good idea for an industry giant. Walmart is a perfect example. They have the resources and the volume to really cut prices.

So whats the solution? Well if you have lower prices you must do more volume. Sounds good right? Well the problem is either you work so much that you no longer have a personal life, or your work quality can suffer.

The point I am making is that I understand that sometimes it feels that you have to drop prices to get work. I have seen inspection prices so low the inspector either cut corners or didn’t make much money on the work.

The next time a client calls you for an inspection listen to what they need. Take a few minutes and let your potential client know the effort you are going to provide. Ask for the price you know your work is worth. Don’t worry about what the competition charges. If you have created interest in your service the potential client should provide hints they feel your price is too high. Occasionally you may have to alter your price but more often than not if you have accomplished creating value in your service you will get the price you DESERVE for your service.

Look at the closing documents on the next real estate sale you are a part of. If you are charging $249 for an inspection your service is by far the cheapest per hour than most any other fee. Who is going to be left holding the bag when there is a problem discovered? The realtor? Title Company? No, you.

#2

You forgot to add taxes, marketing expenses, and % profit into your analysis.

#3

Great point. I have added $20 for taxes (rough estimate) and $19 for marketing.

#4

If you’re spending a total of 10 hours on an inspection, you are either retarded or need to get a motorized wheelchair.

#5

The point of this post is to create a conservative estimate of time / energy / effort required for an inspection. Its not a race to see who can do an inspection faster.

I do really love the motorized wheelchair commercial where they are at the Grand Canyon. Really sells me.

#6

Spend as much time as you need to get it right.

I try to spend a grand total of 4-5 hours depending on travel time completing the inspection and report.
On average, it works out to roughly, after all expenses, 75 -100 bucks an hour, if you wanted to break it down hourly.

#7

Great point Christopher - But its the ones who give them away that fade away only to be replaced by another company making the same mistake and the cycle will go on forever.

What many feel is a “bargain” is soon replaced with how they got duped and mislead. The sad perception is that all inspectors are the “same” as confirmed by the Real Estate Agent…they want them to go with Mr. Cheap.

But that is one thing I have learned in life…save and get the best you can get. I bought things many times only to hope to have something better. It was a waste of money. I then learned to save and work for what I REALLY wanted and not settled for.

But no matter how hard you try you cannot fix simple dumb people. But these people search and search for the cheapest and then will beatch because the inspection sucked. But when do they realize the inspection sucked? AFTER they move in…they learn a very valuable lesson too late…and then will do the exact thing again when they go to hire a plumber…they will look for the cheapest…like I said these people will never learn.

$1000 on a quality job is better than $500 three times to get the job done right…

#8

I like one inspection per day… I also like long lunches, playing cards in the afternoon & cocktail hour, but I have been known to perform 3 inspections in one day, go figure. I am a home inspector because it fits my lifestyle everything else is secondary. :smiley:

#9

Truer words were never spoken. :cool:

#10

$13.99, buy one get one free,

If this trade wants to survive you guys must stop the bottom feeding and base your business on QUALITY. Marketing is a necessity, but think of the stone crab fisheries, when the price gets too low, they stop pulling traps, basic supply and demand…

#11

Talk about your supply & demand. Florida has over 5,000 home inspector licenses, and full-time work for less than 3,000, if that. Marketing will only get you so far. I’m glad I’m old and have absolutely no debt. :smiley:

#12

What you fail to realize is that when you have nothing to offer over your competition then the only thing to market yourself on, is price. What else can give you an edge? It will never ever change. When one bottom feeder leaves another will take his place. I lost about 5 jobs this week to price. Sucks, but when people are bottom feeding then let them be the master of their own demise. I often think of keeping their emails and about 6 months after closing asking them how their feel about their $50 savings now…I still may do it…

#13

The thing is it usually takes someone to actually get a “good” inspection before they realize they had a bad one.

Of course unless something just completely fails shortly after moving in.

#14

That stinks Russ. I hate that feeling when you hear the “I got a quote for $50 cheaper.”

#15

We always tell them that we understand(the need for a better price). We will still be here if they need anything and will be happy to answer any questions they may have, even if we do not do the inspection. Guess who they would rather do business with after that?

#16

Just landed an inspection I thought I would not get after the original call from the “shopper client”. I wrote him a quick e-mail with the price breakdown after my internet research of the property and in that e-mail we always explain that we are not the least expensive but one of the most qualified. Got the unexpected call back from the client and they decided to use us.While on phone firming up appointment he got a call from the other competition which he said he just got rid of because he was impressed with our qualifications and honesty about pricing and our informative web site. It all comes down to what John and others say you have to sell your services and experience and the smart consumer will pick you every time. Like Russ, I loose at least five a week to low ballers and since he and I are in the same area they are probley the same ones;-).

as a foot note---- I guess after 18 years of inspecting I am a retarded wheel chaired inspector and proud of it ! :wink:

#17

Wow!

My friend Brett from Pinellas County has been working on his marketing locally and was handed a flier from a NACHI competitor… I’m glad I make most of my money from full home inspections. I don’t perform insurance inspections for less than $100.

  • Roof Certification $35
  • Basic 4-Point Inspection with photos $50
  • Wind Mitigation Inspection with photos (Additional $10.00 for Two-Story Homes) $50
  • Wind Mitigation/4-Point $65
  • All three inspections $75
#18

That is ridiculous Joe, I agree I do not do wind mitigations for less than $125.00 and guess what I’m raising my prices. My skills are worth a hell of a lot more than what these inspectors are charging. Will see how many drop out in 2012 when renewals come around.

#19

We locally have people who do nothing but insurance inspections, and that is okay but I won’t compete with them on prices. They practically give them away and that too is their decision. I don’t even do wind mits anymore because it is not worth my time and what I have to do to get it all right and please some underwriter sitting at a desk in the AC. I refer those to a couple of people who do them, do them right and are reasonable on price. I tell people when they call and ask for the Wind mit at the same time as the full home inspection to hold off. By the time I get through they may not want that home. I can easily say that I typically do two or more home inspections per customer due the large volume of POS houses on the market and they end up walking away from the first pile we look at. They think they can buy a “fixer upper” until they find out it needs new everything. Homeowners in FL are walking away from their mortgages in droves and almost always the homes are in severe disrepair and most of the home components are at or near the end of their service life. Just did one day before yesterday for a nice lady and it was her third home inspection with us. This time she found a gem that had been completely renovated by a great contractor (whom I know well) who took care of everything. Homeowner lost her job, moving to another State for a new job. I encourage clients to look around because there are some great deals out there and don’t buy the first pig in a poke you find. If she had bought either of the first two homes she would have bought money pits. That is what this job is about!

#20

We locally have people who do nothing but insurance inspections, and that is okay but I won’t compete with them on prices. They practically give them away and that too is their decision. I don’t even do wind mits anymore because it is not worth my time and what I have to do to get it all right and please some underwriter sitting at a desk in the AC. I refer those to a couple of people who do them, do them right and are reasonable on price. I tell people when they call and ask for the Wind mit at the same time as the full home inspection to hold off. By the time I get through they may not want that home. I can easily say that I typically do two or more home inspections per customer due the large volume of POS houses on the market and they end up walking away from the first pile we look at. They think they can buy a “fixer upper” until they find out it needs new everything. Homeowners in FL are walking away from their mortgages in droves and almost always the homes are in severe disrepair and most of the home components are at or near the end of their service life. Just did one day before yesterday for a nice lady and it was her third home inspection with us. This time she found a gem that had been completely renovated by a great contractor (whom I know well) who took care of everything. Homeowner lost her job, moving to another State for a new job. I encourage clients to look around because there are some great deals out there and don’t buy the first pig in a poke you find. If she had bought either of the first two homes she would have bought money pits. That is what this job is about! Too many inspectors are afraid to piss of the realtor / agents and won’t get future referrals. That is NOT a marketing plan!