| Scenario | Area | Hours | Travel | Stage | Complexity | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small renovation check | 900 ft² | 1.5 | 6 mi | Progress | Low | USD 258.41 |
| Standard final inspection | 2,500 ft² | 2.5 | 12 mi | Final | Standard | USD 566.62 |
| Complex, expedited report | 6,000 ft² | 5.0 | 30 mi | Final | High | USD 1,600.11 |
- Pick the inspection category and stage that matches the scope.
- Enter your base fee, hourly rate, and expected time on site.
- Add floor area if you charge by size, plus a per ft² rate.
- Include travel distance and your travel reimbursement policy.
- Select report detail, after-hours work, and service speed.
- Apply discount and tax if your pricing model requires them.
- Press “Calculate Fee” to view the total above the form.
- Download CSV or PDF for proposals and recordkeeping.
Fee drivers that influence quotes
Inspection pricing is usually a blend of fixed administrative effort and variable field workload. This calculator models a base fee for scheduling, coordination, and reporting overhead, then adds measurable drivers such as floor area, inspection duration, and travel. By separating line items, you can explain estimates clearly, reduce disputes, and keep your proposal consistent across different project types.
Using area and time together
Some scopes scale with size, while others scale with effort. Area-based pricing works well when the number of observation points rises with floor area, while hourly pricing captures troubleshooting and verification time. If you use both, keep rates conservative to avoid double-counting. For quick checks, set the area rate to zero and rely on base fee plus hours.
Travel, access, and scheduling impacts
Travel costs vary with distance, traffic, parking, and site access restrictions. A distance rate can represent fuel, vehicle wear, and tolls, while after-hours selection reflects premium staffing and limited availability. Expedited service multipliers are useful when you shift schedules, add weekend capacity, or deliver reports faster than your standard turnaround.
Documentation and compliance deliverables
Reporting requirements affect time and liability. A basic summary may be sufficient for internal checks, while a detailed report can support change orders, warranty documentation, and client signoff. If a stamped deliverable is required, it typically adds review rigor and professional responsibility. Use the report option to standardize add-ons, then fine-tune rates to your local market.
Example scenario and interpretation
Use sample inputs to validate your pricing policy and train staff on consistent quoting. Example data: Base fee 120, Area 2,500 ft², Rate 0.06 per ft², Hours 2.5, Hourly 95, Travel 12 miles, Travel rate 1.10, Report “Detailed”, Complexity “Standard”, Stage “Final”, Tax 8.25%. The calculator produces a transparent breakdown and a single estimated total for budgeting.
1) What do the complexity and stage multipliers represent?
They adjust the subtotal for risk and effort. Complexity reflects difficulty and coordination, while stage reflects typical workload differences between pre-checks, progress visits, and finals. Tune these multipliers to match your historical quotes.
2) Can I price only with a flat fee?
Yes. Set area, hours, and travel to zero, then enter your flat amount in Base Fee. You can still apply discounts, tax, and optional report fees for a consistent exportable estimate.
3) How are square meters and kilometers handled?
The tool normalizes area to square feet and distance to miles internally, then calculates fees using your per‑ft² and per‑mile rates. Your original unit selections remain visible in the inputs summary.
4) Why is there a photo handling fee?
Photos take time to capture, label, and embed in documentation. The calculator includes the first 20 photos, then charges a small per‑photo rate beyond that. Adjust the included count and rate to fit your workflow.
5) Does the calculator include permit or authority fees?
No. It estimates service fees based on your rates and scope drivers. If permit or authority charges apply, add them to your proposal separately or include them in the base fee as an administrative allowance.
6) How should I use discount and tax fields?
Discount is applied before tax. Tax is computed on the discounted amount. If your jurisdiction taxes only certain services, set tax to zero here and handle taxes externally to remain compliant.
7) How do I keep records for clients?
After calculating, use the CSV or PDF downloads to save the inputs and breakdown. These exports provide a consistent audit trail for approvals, invoicing, and change discussions.