Many people charge what the market bears. Naturally a hydro is different than a traction job or even an escalator. The inspector basically rents time. Most clients wont pay for travel time and believe that it is covered in the flat rate fee charged by the inspector.
I think if you were an IRS agent, you would find that in most areas, the inspector makes about helper's wages for the year. This is not to imply that they work only 40 hours a week, as in my opinion, travel to and from the job as well as the hours spent away from home, filing the reports are not sufficiently compensated for.
Some inspectors have to do this as retired persons as they did not put enough away to retire. Most inspectors, in my opinion, do this because they are passionately committed to safety and the riding public and choose to participate in society by assuring the safe operation of conveyances. As such they all deserve respect for their position.
If you could get accurate information from people who actually do the work, you will find that the margins are very low and everyone is struggling to make ends meet. Building owners rarely see value in this service until its too late for them. I would guess they see the service as a commodity and shop for lower prices.
Elevator mechanics pay more than inspectors almost everywhere.
In my home state, the fees charged for permit inspections are posted on the State web site: http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/ElevatorPubs_forms.html scroll down to fee schedule.
This means, in California, your prices have to be lower than the State Charges in order to capture the business. If your costs are low enough, you might just be able to make payroll, but keep in mind that benefits and compensation come out of the revenue.
Are you willing to take what is on the table? My best words of advice is to go forward and obtain the certification you would need to be an inspector. It's not as easy as it might appear. Hold the certification in your back pocket until such a time you can afford to retire and then participate as an inspector.
Feel free to contact me if I may be of any service.
Robert L Krieger
Also I know a lot of guys, who "Retire" early (Pre-Medicare age), and do the QEI thing, part time, to pay the monthly insurance bills...
A few trips to the hospital, for major issues, can easily wipe out a life time worth of savings.
Robert is giving you great advice! Although I don't know him personally I have read many of his posts. I believe he is sincere in wanting to help others. He's giving you a fee schedule to emulate. And he is showing you where to begin to look for information in your state. I would ask Robert how many 2-4 story units in a ten mile radius he would inspect in a day?
If he could inspect;
3 units per day @ $225.00 = $675.00
Allow one day for paper work if you intend to do it yourself?
4 days x $675.00 = $2700.00
For a one man inspection service company $11,500.00 a month looks like a great potential business to me! Even if your expenses are a third of that it still looks good. The question is are you willing and able to go out on your own?
11 years ago I made the leap of faith! I had saved enough to last 3 years without an income. It has been the best thing I have ever done. But, I have also watched friends and family fail attempting to do the same. Now I am working with one of my nephews to try and help him!
If you are thinking of trying my advice is to contact an oginization like SCORE. they are made up of retired business owners looking to help start up companies. They will help you put together a business plan and many other skills you will need. If you know someone who owns a service company (elevators, HVAC, ECT) ask them if they have any advice or would mentor you?
"You know how you make a small fortune in the elevator business?"
"Start with a big one!"