Contractor fee to walk through property before bid is placed?

[Amy Solomon]

With our old contractor, years ago, we'd walk through a property right before we placed the bid, so we could see if my calculations for the renovation were on spot. He'd give me ideas, show me ways we could avoid/save etc. And he'd also advise me on anything he saw that just didn't look right....he kinda kept me on track and made sure I knew what would be involved etc.

I'd then close on the house, one house or another, mostly we did 2-3 walk throughs per 1 house purchase as the negotiations don't work out on every deal of course. He'd do the work, get paid, then on to the next house.

Someone I had intended on using as a contractor now, since I"ve been out of the game for a while, and this is the husband of someone I know fairly well, has just told me they will charge me for a walk through if I use them as my contractor.

Is this customary? It doesn't seem so. I've never had to pay a fee for that before. They get the project we end up buying, they make their money that way.

What are your thoughts?