How to Price a Commercial Property Inspection (Without Guessing)

Most new commercial inspectors price a building like a big house. They take the square feet, times it by a number, and send it. Then they show up and find eight rooftop units, a fire pump room and three tenants who all want a walk. That job just ate two extra days.

A good quote starts with questions, not math. How many buildings? How many roof sections? How many HVAC units? Is anyone living or working inside? Does the client want a full report under ASTM E2018 or just a walk-through? Each answer changes your price.

First is size. I set a base fee that covers the first 5,000 square feet, then add a set amount for each extra block. Second is systems. Every rooftop unit, elevator, and boiler takes time to look at and write up, so each one gets a line on the quote.

Third is access. A locked roof, tenants who need notice, or a site two hours away all cost money. Fourth is the report itself. A lender report with cost tables and a reserve schedule takes far longer to write than a buyer summary. Price the writing, not just the walking.

I keep my base fees and add-ons saved in a price book. When a broker calls, I pick the building type, tap in the units, and the quote is done in about two minutes. The client gets a clean online proposal they can sign and pay a deposit on, right from their phone.

That speed matters. On commercial jobs, the inspector who sends a clear quote first usually gets the work. Once the client signs, the same job turns into a scheduled inspection and later an invoice, so I never type the address three times.

If you have no numbers yet, start your commercial base fee around twice your home inspection fee and adjust after five jobs. Track your hours on every job. After a few months your own numbers will tell you what to charge, and that beats any chart online.

Inspect Ace lets you try all of this free for 30 days, and we will move your old price lists in for free too.