Do You Give Estimates?

Hi Keith, I email my clients 2 Useful web sites for estimating repair costs:www.home-improvementquotes.com, www.costestimator.com if they  want. I always say it can be 20-40% more depending on the contractor. I hope this help you out.

I don't give any cost estimates to clients for residential inspections.  I do the same as Frank http://www.costestimator.com/, but with investors I produce estimates from the means data base when I do an investors survey.  Potential profit from an investment is what they're interested in. Most could care less what really has to be done, only whether it is profitable or not.

I do give "Cost estimate ranges" on most major items of significance when asked. I use some cost estimating software that is updated every month for cost changes and specific geographic locations.

I then total up all of the minimums to get a minimum cost expectancy for all repairs. And of course there is the disclaimer that states that this is provided as a service only to be used as a guideline, and is no substitute for getting your own actual estimates.

It is a "value added" service that people appreciate, and it gets me quite a bit of extra business. I have also always been involved in rehabbing houses, so it's pretty easy for me to stay current with contractor pricing. I always qoute the going rates that a qualified contractor in the field would charge... never homeowner or non-professional repairs.

If I have a "ballpark" figure, that I'm confident about, I'll let them know. Most of the time I tell them that information is clearly written out in the report they'll be receiving in less than 24 hrs. It blows my mind sometimes on what clients expect out of a home inspector.  I feel as if I should have a big S on my chest sometimes. 

I will only give ball park estimates on some items. Otherwise I tell them I have no way of knowing what is specifically involved in the repair. That can only be determined by the person who will be doing the work and of course the estimate.

Here is what bothers me about giving estimates.  You are quoting a fix for the widget and they want a new one.  The formica counter top is damaged they want to replace it with granite.  Without a full written estimate with specific materials etc. it just leads to confusion. 

The web sites are a good idea.

I do not give estimates for repairs.  Why?  I am a home inspector not a repair contractor!  It is not may job to give an estimate, in fact it might even be against the law in your state if you are not a licensed contractor.

I put this in the same category as a home inspector who designs the repair for an item.  It is not our job to tell whoever how a repair must be made.  This can get an inspector into trouble.  If you design a repair and that design is wrong, guess who will be called.  Same goes for providing a specific diagnoses of a problem in a complex system, such as an HVAC system.  Simply state that the _____ is not working properly and that it needs to be repaired.  Then let the qualified professional diagnose the problem and make the proper repair.

Like Scott, I don't give cost estimates either. I see no upside for doing so, and can really only see the down side. 

It's one thing to tell someone what something might cost, such as a water heater. However, earlier this year, I found out that there is a fairly good size range even within 50 gallon gas water heaters. I also found out that I was not up to date on what the cost range was, since I had not had to purchase one for a dozen years. I was off by about $200. With the water heater example, I could tell my client that the water heater might be between $300 and $800, and the installation might be between $100 - 400. 

However, to try to give someone an estimate for fixing rotted wood trim on seven windows, 3 doors, some fascia and around the chimney, could prove daunting. Since I am not in the repair business, I could only guess, and that kind is like winking at a blind man - really not much use, especially if I am not the one that is willing to do the repair for the price estimate I am giving.

There are those that say they are giving estimates because they want to give the best service for their clients. I AM giving my clients the best service by doing an excellent inspection, and giving them excellent advice to get a qualified person to give them the estimates - someone that can and will acrually do the work.

I vote NO on giving estimates. NOT MY JOB!

I would not want an inspector giving estimates either.  It sounds like it could get you guys in a lot of trouble.