Kevin,
Most Inspctors here price by square feet, as well. I don't. I think that whole idea is really appreciated by Realtors, but I don't serve them. I engage the prospects with questions to give me a better idea of the property they have chosen. Sometimes I give a price. Sometimes I give an hourly rate. More times than I can recount, I've had prospects say, "but my Realtor said it should cost .....".

My response is always the same. "Maam or Sir, if I were inspecting to benefit your Realtor, that is what it would cost. I inspect to tell you as much as I can about your property as I can. I work solely for your benefit and do not derive my income from Realtor referrals. I appreciate them, but I do not solicit them."

I do lose jobs to discount Inspectors, no doubt. But in the words of Badair, "You don't get the jobs you're not supposed to have."

Each year I have done fewer jobs, while increasing my income and reducing my liability exposure. I feel good about the direction my business has taken.

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The only reason some people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory.
- Paul Fix