Paying contractor to inspect home and provide estimate

[John Luchristt]

Hello,

I am new to investing and have identified a possible BRRR property. The property has not been taken care of (my guess is 10+ years of deferred maintenance) and requires upgrades to the kitchen and bathroom. I've put together a repair list, but since I have not undertaken a heavy renovation yet I was going to have a contractor go to the property prior to me making an offer and ask them to put together an itemized repair list. Since there wouldn't be a guarantee that I'd even be purchasing the home and this wouldn't be a regular project bid, I was thinking of paying the contractor a fee (similar to an inspector) to walk through the home and work up the itemized list. Has anyone taken this approach before and, if so, what type of compensation did you provide to the contractor?

Thanks!

John