Cost To Cure?

For years commercial inspections have included Cost To Cure tables and forecasts for future repair estimates and for years these have been wrong.  Yes, I said they have been wrong.  They are wrong because they are typically created by the inspector using various tables, resources, and the internet and not a specialize contractor who will be performing the work.

The inspector is an expert in performing the inspection.  They are profound generalist who can look at various systems and components in a building an determine the viability and condition but, they are not going to provide the repairs to something they find to be of issue.

If a client is looking for a ballpark estimate and one that is plus or minus 20% accurate then a good commercial inspector should be able to help but, if a client is looking for something to be more precise then we will recommend having a contractor provide the cost to cure.

In a recent inspection our clients hired us to perform the inspection and then assemble a cost to cure.  The catch was the client also hired or solicited a Plumber, Electrician, HVAC contractor, Septic contractor, and a window and door contractor to attend the inspection and provide us with their estimates and findings.  We were able to assemble and disseminate the “contractor speak” and produce a report that had accurate repair costs and scopes of work.  The client paid a little more by having all of those other experts but received a report that they could understand because we provided all of the interpretations.

Every commercial inspection begins with the initial phone call and interview so that we can properly set the stage and provide the service that our clients need and want.  It is during this interview where we can talk about expectations and the cost to cure for issues we might discover.