When you’re just starting your home inspection business, figuring out what to charge can feel like a total guessing game.
Charge too little? You’ll end up burned out, booked solid and barely breaking even.
Charge too much? Crickets.
But there is a pricing sweet spot – and it’s not as mysterious as it seems. Let’s break down how to price your services confidently and sustainably, without racing to the bottom.
Do your local homework, then add context
First, get a feel for your local landscape. What’s the going rate in your area?
Google local inspectors, check their websites, or peek into real estate Facebook groups. This state-by-state pricing guide and home inspection cost calculator can give you a ballpark range, too.
Let’s say you’re in Tampa, and most inspectors charge $350-$400 for a 2,000 sq ft home. That’s your local baseline.
Understand your true costs
If you’re not covering your expenses, you’re not running a business – you’re donating your time.
Start with a simple breakdown of your monthly costs:
- Inspection software
- Insurance
- Fuel, tools, phone, and internet
- Marketing: website, business cards, maybe some local ads
Then add time. A 2-hour inspection might really take 4-5 hours once you factor in travel, set-up, and writing the report.
If you charge $300 and spend 5 hours total, that’s $60/hour before expenses. Set a minimum hourly goal – say, $75 per hour – and build your pricing to hit it.
Create a clear base rate structure
Simplicity sells.
Start with a base rate for your most common job:
- $375 for a home under 2,000 sq ft within 20 miles
Then add surcharges and upsells:
- +$50 for homes over 2,500 sq ft
- +$25 for detached garages or outbuildings
- +$75 for wind mitigation or pool inspections
Palmtech templates make it easy to build these add-ons right into your scheduling process, so quoting is fast, consistent, and painless.
Don’t undercut just to get hired
Being the cheapest in town might win you a few jobs now, but it can box you in later.
Lowball pricing sets expectations. It makes it harder to raise rates, and harder to convince clients you’re worth more.
Instead of undercutting yourself into a corner, build your pricing with intention. Pay attention to what’s happening in your local real estate market. If you’re inspecting million-dollar homes, most clients won’t flinch at a higher base fee. If the market’s slowing down, lean into ancillary services that add revenue without needing more volume – things like wind mitigation, pool inspections, or sewer scopes.
You can also offer bundled packages that speak to different client types. Some buyers just want the basics. Others are willing to pay more for a comprehensive inspection or faster turnaround. A tiered approach makes it easier to raise your average fee without scaring off budget-conscious customers – and positions your business for long term growth.
Be ready to reevaluate
Pricing isn’t permanent. Once you’ve hit around 50 inspections, gathered some solid reviews, and made a name for yourself with local agents, it might be time to bump you base rate by $25-$50.
Adding more services? Update your price list accordingly.
Feeling swamped with behind-the-scenes work? That’s a sign your pricing might not be accounting for everything you’re doing to keep things running.
Palmtech helps keep your operations lean with built-in tools for scheduling, payments, and report writing, so you can spend less time executing administrative tasks and more time growing a business that pays what you’re worth.
Lastly, we would be remiss if we didn’t point out that we just had a very spirited discussion about whether inspectors should charge a whopping $1,000 per inspection on The Ride Along. The conversation featured none other than InterNACHI COO Ben Gromicko, and we highly encourage you to watch it in its entirety.
(And if you like that episode, be sure to sign up for The Ride Along newsletter to ensure all the latest episodes land in your inbox!)
