TOPIC: Inspection fee question

I have been asked to inspect an 8 unit apt. building, 2 beds each, about 7600 ft., no pool. any ideas on how to come up with a competitive price on this?

Hi Richard,

Are they all in the same structure or are they separate buildings?

Richard,
Please go to your profile and enter your information, at least your location. Fee's charged will vary greatly from area to area.

In example... (based on info provided)...

San Diego, CA... I would charge approx. $1300.00 ($500 base + $100/unit)

Owatonna, MN... I would charge approx. $900.00 ($500 base + $50/unit) but one of my competitors would get the job for about $500.00 total (yes, I know from experience). If I wanted the job bad enough, my bottom line (competative) fee would be $780.00 ($500 base + $35/unit).

Hope that helps.
Jeff

Thanks, that does help a lot. Based on how competitive things have become in San Diego, I am thinking that 800 might be about the best I can do. I figure that the inspection and the report generation will take a full day. The referral came specifically because of my rep for being extremely thorough. 

What I do when I make the business decision to lower my fee, I quote my "Normal" fee followed by my "Special Discount" (for whatever reason). It helps to show I am NOT a lowballer, helps keep the pricing structure where it needs to be so it doesn't bastardize the industry, and shows the client what a FANTASTIC DEAL they negotiated, and you get paid cash! If they "choose" to pay by check, more payday for you!

Example:

Inspection Fee: $1300.00
25% Referral Discount: <$325.00>
10% Competative Discount: <$97.50>
5% Pay by Cash Discount: <$43.88>

---

Cash due at Inspection: $833.62

I would charge $1960
20% discount $392
Total $1568

I am probably on the higher side of things but I treat each apt just as I do a house.  If they all have HVAC, hot water tanks etc I have to inspect them so I charge as if each unit is its own house and I charge my min. rate minus the max discount I allow (20%).  My reports are very detailed and informative so they are also paying for what they get.

Admittedly, I'm not crazy about doing these because they take a lot of time and people tend to want bottom dollar.  Id rather do individual houses and make my regular pay.  But it is nice to get that big paycheck all at once!