When a buyer calls and asks "how much," here is what to say, word for word
The price-shopper call decides most home inspection bookings. A phone script, the follow-up text and the email quote that turn "how much" into a date.
Most buyers who call a home inspector open with the same two words: how much. They are calling three or four inspectors from a list their agent sent, or from the map, and they are writing down numbers. If your answer is just a number, you are now one line in a comparison, and the lowest line usually wins.
The inspectors who book that call do not dodge the price. They give it quickly, then give the buyer a reason to stop calling around. Here is the script, the text that follows a call that does not book, and the quote email.
Before you pick up: know three things
You cannot quote well without these, so ask for them in the first 30 seconds:
- The address, or at least the square footage and year built.
- The closing timeline, specifically when the inspection period ends.
- Whether they want any add-ons: radon, sewer scope, termite, mold.
Square footage and age drive your base price. The inspection window tells you how urgent the booking is. Add-ons are where much of the margin lives, and our pricing guide covers how to package them.
The call, word for word
Buyer: "Hi, how much is a home inspection?"
You: "Happy to tell you. What's the address, or roughly how big is the house and when was it built?"
Buyer: "It's about 2,200 square feet, built in 1987."
You: "Got it. For that house the inspection is [price]. That includes the full report with photos, usually the same evening. When does your inspection period end?"
Buyer: "We have ten days."
You: "Okay, so we'd want to get in this week to leave you time to negotiate. I have Thursday at 9 or Friday at 1. A lot of houses from the late eighties also get a sewer scope, because the original lines are getting older. That's [price] extra if you want it. Do you want me to hold Thursday?"
Notice what happened. The price came in the third line, not the tenth. The buyer heard what is included and when the report arrives. You connected the date to her deadline. You offered one add-on, with a reason that fits the house. And you ended with a yes or no question about a specific time.
You did not trash the cheaper inspector. You did not list your certifications. If she asks why you cost more than someone else, answer it plainly:
"Fair question. Some inspectors include less in the base price or take longer on the report. Mine comes back the same evening with photos, and I'm available after for questions while you negotiate. If that matters for your timeline, I'm a good fit."
If she says "I'm still calling around"
That is fine. Say:
"Makes sense. Can I text you the quote so you have it in writing? What's the best number?"
Get the number. Most inspectors let this call end with nothing. A buyer with your quote in her text messages is far more likely to come back than one who wrote your number on a sticky note.
The text, sent within five minutes
"Hi [first name], this is [your name] with [company]. Quote for [address]: inspection [price], report same evening with photos. Optional sewer scope [price]. I'm holding Thursday at 9 for you until 5 p.m. today. Reply YES and it's yours."
Short. One price. One add-on. One time slot with a soft deadline. The reply-YES ending makes booking easier than calling back.
The follow-up the next morning
If no reply, one more text the next morning:
"Morning [first name]. Thursday 9 is still open. Your inspection period runs through [date], so I want to make sure you have time to negotiate. Want it?"
Then stop. Two texts is plenty. A third reads as desperate.
The email quote, for buyers who ask for one
Some buyers and many agents want an email. Keep it this short:
Subject: Inspection quote for [address]
Hi [first name],
Here's your quote for [address]:
- Home inspection: [price]
- Sewer scope (optional): [price]
- Radon test (optional): [price]
The report comes back the same evening with photos and a summary page you can share with your agent. I'm available by phone after for questions.
Open times this week: Thursday 9 a.m., Friday 1 p.m. Reply with the one that works and I'll send the agreement.
[Your name], [company], [phone]
No attachments on the first email. No PDF brochure. A link to your sample report is fine, and if you do not have one online yet, put it on your site. Our website guide covers what that page needs.
Why speed matters more than the script
Every one of these lines works better the faster you send it. A buyer calling four inspectors often books the first one who gives a clear answer and a time. If you are on a roof when she calls, the call goes to voicemail and the script never gets used. Set up a text-back that replies to missed calls in under a minute. The missed call guide shows how, and the calculator shows what a few missed calls a week cost.
It also helps if she has a reason to trust you before she dials. In our data the median home inspector has only 4 Google reviews, and 30.2% have none. A handful of recent reviews is often enough to stand out on the list she is calling from.
If you want the text-back and quote follow-ups set up for you, the free 14-day trial covers any one service, no card. Text or call (385) 526-5050.
Steven has spent the last several years running growth campaigns for local service businesses, home inspectors among them, and builds the benchmark datasets on this site from public Google listings. About the editor