Yes, Paul! During the recession, that was rampant! Another house would pop up that they thought they like better and they would stiff the inspector.

I would chase them down and explain - "The inspector had nothing to do with your termination of the Contract. He WAS asked, and DID, however, provide a service to you, for which you owe him." I had a couple of people hem and haw but, eventually they did pay. 

I haven't had that happen in a long time though - thank goodness!

You mean the buyer booked the home inspection, had the inspection, got the results, then won't pay for it? What an a-hole. I'd fire this client so frigging fast.

Interesting question.  I don't recall this ever occurring to me.

No, and I hope that never happens.  The inspectors usually have their appointments pre-paid when the buyers schedule online here.

That has not happened. My clients order their inspections and pay for them upfront via credit card. I believe it's the law in NC that a report not be issued by the inspector until payment has been received and a "contract" signed for the inspection. So without paying upfront they don't get a report and don't know if they should or shouldn't walk from the house.

If they are serious buyers, they are nuts not to pay. That inspector could file a claim which would impact their credit and possible financing for the next home.

Fortunately, I have not had this happen before. I had an inspectior that wouldn’t allow the buyer to leave the home before paying. I stopped using him after that instance. My current inspector won’t accept payment before the buyers say they are happy with his report.

our buyers order their own inspection and give credit card info to the inspector before it's done.  So, no.

Our inspectors require payment up front before doing the work. 

And thus, the reason, most home inspectors require payment upfront BEFORE they do the home inspection.  That is rediculous that a buyer would refuse to pay an inspector when they did the job.  That is the risk a buyer must take when buying a home.  Honestly I have not had it happen ... but I would have a difficult time working with a buyer that did not see the need to pay a man for a hard day's work.

No. No. No, that does not happen in Blonde Universe. The home inspectors we work with get payment at time of service. They've learned!
Clients are instructed that they will prepay for inspections, nonrefundable, a cost of doing business.
Creeps such as you have described would be jettisoned. Don't F with our vendors!

Fortunately, I have not had any buyer refuse to pay for the Home Inspection, the Termite Inspection, the Pool Inspection, etc.  Our buyers arrange how payment will be made before the Inspections, and then they do not receive their reports until that goes through.  So, it's no report if no payment has been made Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®,CRS,.  

Nope, those are C.O.D., it's not possible.

Ooh, yikes. No. The inspectors have something the buyer sign when they hire them and it is contracted between the two of them. Unfortunately, the inspector may have to chase them for payment, but they owe it for services rendered. That's rough. -Kasey

        Tallahassee home inspectors require payment up front before doing the inspection.

       I have the Buyer contact the Inspector and arrange for the inspection.  If there is a "payment malfunction", I will not get stuck with the bill.

We stay out of that arrangement, the buyer hires the inspector and pays according to their terms.

No, I do not think that has ever happened. That is why I have the buyer call and arrange payment directly with the home inspector so there are no problems.

No & it would never happen as payment at the start of the inspection. I have known buyers who are miffed over the price of it but then I explain how it saved them 100's of thousands dollars on a lemon.

Not yet, but the day has just started

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®,CRS, - Not happend to me - yet.

I've had some delay in paying. My primary inspector won't release the report before it's paid for and tries to arrange payment up front. 

What dirtbags!

I have never had a buyer not pay, or complain about the cost...but I have heard the stories.

IF however, I had a buyer stiff the inspector, I would pay them myself.

Eve

No, I have not.  Maybe that's why most of the inspectors insist on being paid at the time of service.

You would think that if the results were such that the buyer didn't want to buy the house... that would have proven the inspection highly valuable.

No I have not.  I wonder if they would refuse to pay a doctor because they told him he had cancer?

No, the home inspection services in our area typically collect payment before or at time of the home inspection and I let buyers know that when they schedule their inspections. 

It happens, but some of the inspectors get fees upfront and offer a discount for that.

Home inspectors demand payment up front

I always remind the buyer that inspections are fee-for-service & then let the inspector handle collection of funds (which most often occurs at the end of the inspection). 

No.

No it hasn’t happened to me. My clients book their own home inspections. I will provide the names of 3 inspectors if they don’t have someone.

No.

No, but our inspectors get a credit card over the phone before the inspector shows up.

They all paid.

Some objected to the reversal. Real estate agents giving everything away then encountering someone that actually wanted to be paid for their service. (What a concept!)

Yep, paying $300 to confirm what they already knew took them by surprise. Buyers pay before they see the inspection report in my little slice of paradise.

Our Buyers pay the home inspector PRIOR to the inspection.

Never happened to me. Just lucky I guess!

No.

Buyers pay the inspections upfront.  The reports are not released until the company gets paid.  My answer is no. 

no.... that hiring was done by the buyer....the agreement was between the buyer and the home inspector....we do not get involved with hiring a home inspector.... no one else is involved!!!

No has not happened.

No and I only recall one instance where the home inspection resulted in the termination of the contract.

No. It's clear that the home inspector is the buyer's responsibility whether or not he buys.

I have not had that happen. Payment is typically arranged between buyers and inspectors prior. 

Nope.   I've had times that the buyer refuses home inspection because they thought they can safe money.  In your case, I'm going to be firm with the buyer so they pay for the service.  

Sellers often provide a report to the buyers as a way to say this is as is sale.

Want to put others clauses or contigiency because of the condition? Sorry every other offers come with no contigiency.

Our require payment upfront... I suspect for this reason.

No.

My home inspectors charges first thing before he starts.

Nope!  I guess that's why payment is due at the conclusion of the inspection.

No, most inspectors won't release the report until they get paid, plus get it at the end of the inspection.

Not yet, but this is a good reason to make sure the client calls for the inspection.

No, my inspectors get paid when they arrive at the home

You betcha,

• Buyer refused to pay for the inspection because they didn't like the results
• Buyer refused to sign the mortgage docs because they didn't like the escrow officer
• Buyer refused to buy the home because the walls were pink
• Buyer refused to close because the seller wouldn't let them stay in it like they do on TV

I've got a million of them!