FEES

Price VS Value

If you would like to hire an inspector, I implore you, DO NOT SHOP PRICE! SHOP VALUE! For example, if you have made up your mind to purchase a home regardless of the outcome of inspection results and because your contract or your mortgage company or attorneys require an inspection; by all means hire the cheapest guy.  If however, you wish to protect your investment and have an in depth, comprehensive and detailed understanding of what you are paying hundreds of thousand of dollars for, hire an inspector smartly. Better yet, hire a consultant.

How I Make The Difference

Most home inspectors charge flat fees, regardless of how long the inspection takes and add additional flat fees for extras such as termite inspection, mold inspection and radon inspection and have a very limited list of components they will inspect and a longer list of items, not included in the inspection.  Some inspectors will inspect only a representative number of components such as electrical outlets or doors or windows and exclude grounds, pools, solar equipment, outbuildings, irrigation systems, ponds, landscaping, retaining walls and more.  As a consultant, I can do it all.

Inspectors are not required to spend any specific amount of time performing your inspection. Therefore flat fee rates encourage speedy and possibly ineffective work.

A properly executed inspection may take two to eight hours depending on the size, age and condition of the structure. The inspector that charged the cheapest rate can not afford to give the attention to detail that may be required. In the end you receive little or no value on a low bid. Be aware…. the service you receive will most likely be reciprocal to what you pay.

The cost/value factor in a complete and correctly executed inspection is miniscule in comparison to cost of the home or deficiencies that may be found.

Home inspection requires a unique discipline, distinct from construction, engineering, architecture or municipal building inspector. All New Jersey home inspectors are required to have obtained certification and license, but not all inspectors work is not the same. Ask to see the inspector’s credentials, resume, and license.  

 A proper home inspection takes time to do correctly.

Inspection fees:

Inspection fees are $120.00 per hour (minimum three hours). This includes drive time, inspection time, report time. The average inspection takes about three hours on a single-family home and one to two hours to complete the report. All time is billable including no show, no access, inappropriate cancellations of scheduled appointments etc. A signed agreement must be returned (mail or faxed) with a $360.00 deposit (cash, credit card or check) before the inspection. Any refund or balance due is noted with the report.

Consulting fees:

An initial telephone conversation (20 minutes or so) is not billable. Consulting fees are $120.00 per hour (minimum two hours). This includes drive time, investigation and research time, report time and presentation time.  A lot of ground may be covered in a two-hour verbal consultation and often this is all that a client requires. Investigation, research, plan development, drawings and reporting can take considerable time depending on the complexity of the project. Estimates are provided once the initial consultation is complete and the project is understood. A signed agreement must be returned (mail or faxed) with a $240.00 deposit (cash, credit card or check) before consultation. If a project requires additional time, a deposit for estimated time is paid in advance.

Free Initial Consultation

A telephone consultation (about 20 minutes) is free.