TOPIC: I Heard It Might Snow

I once had a friend who was a head hunter.  He was recruiting people in CA companies to move to a firm in Ohio.  I asked him how he was able to do that.  He said, "I simply tell them that in Ohio the earth don't shake, the brush don't burn and the mud don't slide.  Works every time!"

He had a point...

I can see that I clearly don't charge enough for my inspections! 

We all need to raise our prices.  Our industry should not be performing inspections anywhere on anything for $199.  We all have invested our hard earned money and time to educate ourselves to protect our clients.  Most of the inspectors I know are far more knowledgeable, professional and or ethical than local building departments. 

It is our industry that normally finds all the problems in a Condominium project that ends up in litigation for example.  I recently was involved in a construction defect case that ended up having in excess of 20 different code violations per unit, all of which were signed off by the local building department during original construction.

Pricing is a mind set.  We provide a service that is much more important than the realtor, appraiser or termite services.  We have the ability to enlighten the client about not only property condition, but to empower them to make a more informed decision as to how to proceed in the transaction.  We are the clients first, last and only line of defense.  I'm not giving that away for free! 

BTW here in California licensed trades contractors charge the following:

1.  Video Camera Inspection - $250 minimum
2.  Fireplace inspection - $250 minimum
3.  Termite Inspection - $75 - $100 minimum
4.  Home inspection on the same house for $199  (What's wrong with this picture?)

And the local code enforcement guys are beyond redress.

I once found a natural gas water heater on a propane-serviced house, 5 years old!  It was charred and ready to explode!  It was passed by the county.  I called the county and they said that yes, sometimes that gets by the inspectors.  He then said that you need a magnifying glass to determine if the orifice is the proper size for propane and sometimes they miss it.  I asked him if he needs a magnifying glass to see the huge LP sticker on the side of the tank?

I agree with you about our fees.  But competition such as it is demands the prices, one way or another.

Another foot of snow fell last night and heavy snow falling as I headed home today.  You guys in the mid-west and east coast have got several more storms headed your way.

Gracias, mi amigo, pero no gracias...