What a home inspection change order is for
Inspection bookings change when the agent sends the real square footage, the buyer adds a sewer scope after reading the listing, or a re-inspection is needed after repairs. A short signed change order with the new total keeps the buyer's paperwork right and the fee paid before you go back out.
What to put on a home inspection change order
- What changed.
- Added services or size.
- Re-inspection items.
- New total.
- Buyer's signature and payment.
A worked example
The listing understated the size, the buyer adds a sewer scope, and drops the thermal imaging.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size adjustment, listing understated | 1 | each | Your price |
| Sewer scope | 1 | each | Your price |
| Credit: thermal imaging | -1 | each | Your price |
Collect the difference with the signature, the same way the original fee was paid at booking.
Line items home inspectors use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Full home inspection | each | Home size and age. |
| Crawl space or basement | each | Access and condition. |
| Detached garage or outbuilding | each | Per building. |
| Radon test | each | Test type and pickup; where licensed. |
| Sewer scope | each | Main line camera inspection. |
| Termite inspection | each | Where licensed or by a partner. |
| Thermal imaging | each | Areas scanned. |
| Pre-listing inspection | each | For the seller, before listing. |
| 4-point inspection | each | Roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC for insurance. |
| Re-inspection | visit | Items checked after repairs. |
| Travel beyond service area | each | Per trip. |
Terms and deposit language for home inspection
- Deposit. The inspection fee is paid in full when the inspection is booked, to hold the date on the buyer's contract timeline.
- Payment. Paid at booking. The report is delivered after the inspection.
- Warranty. An inspection reports what was visible and accessible on the day. It is not a warranty of the home and does not cover hidden or future defects.
- The inspection follows your state's standards of practice where the state sets them.
- Utilities must be on and areas accessible; inaccessible areas are noted in the report.
- Add-on tests may be done by licensed partners where your state requires it.
How to fill it in
- Put in the original estimate number and amount.
- Write what changed in the reason box, plainly.
- Add the new work; type a minus quantity for any credit.
- Fill in the days added.
- Print it for a signature on site, or send it from Koira to sign by phone.
Free tools for home inspection
- Home inspection cost calculator
- Labor rate calculator
- Break-even calculator
- Google review link generator
The same change order for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpentry, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, deck, drywall, duct cleaning, electrical, fence, flooring, garage door, general contractor, glass, gutter, handyman, holiday lighting, hood cleaning, hvac, insulation, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, masonry, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, property maintenance, remodeling, restoration, roofing, security system, septic, siding, snow removal, solar, tile, tree service, water treatment, waterproofing, window cleaning, window and door.
More for home inspectors: how home inspectors run on Koira.