paying family to take pictures of OUT OF STATE, how much???

Question

Hey so I have two properties in Topeka Kansas and I have an Aunt that lives there what is a reasonable amount of money to pay her each time she goes and takes pictures and video on my behalf to verify inspections and also completed rehabs??

My price I had in my mind was about $50.00 each visit and it would include the following;

pre inspections; picture and video footage of every interior room and living space. summary description list of items she spots.

1/2 through the rehab;  picture and video footage of every interior room and living space. summary description list of items she spots.

Final stage of the rehab before paying contractor the last installment for completed work: picture and video footage of every interior room and living space. summary description list of items she spots.

I have a property manager and contractor that will give me an itemized bid and do there inspections on the place together.

I would be sending my aunt as boots on the ground. the pics and videos is an extension on myself noting physically being there.

thank you all I hope to get a good idea what people would pay there family member for service like this. she is also out of work temporally with no pay because of the coronavirus so this could help her out a little.

Vanesa Gonzalez · Answer

I pay $100 each visit when I am doing a rehab. This includes video and pictures of whatever I ask. If the property is more than 15' drive, I add $20 for gas.

Better to pay more and get a better service.

All the best,

Gohar S. · Answer

I personally would recommend calling around and seeing what a professional home inspector would charge for something similar.  This individual would have a more technical aptitude and potentially worth the additional cost.....or perhaps you supplement the budget approach with your aunt and an unbiased, inspector who will just provide the facts based on their experience.

Just a thought and a different perspective.

I have used the family approach in the past, and while all family is different and costs vary, I just found the discount wasn't worth the results.  Just my experience, I'm sure some had win/win scenario.

Benjamin Orozco · Answer

@Sue K.

Yeah I can totally see why a family could

Help but in other ways not. Good tip thank you

Michael Noto · Answer

@Benjamin Orozco The drive out to the property and the pictures would be worth $50, but adding the writing up of summaries adds to the price tag in my opinion. $80-$100 per trip sounds fair to me in my market, but if you can get away with getting it done cheaper and the person does good work go for it.

Filipe Pereira · Answer

We have done this to some extent in my property management business in CT. Typically we charge somewhere between $75 and $100 per hour depending on how often it is needed and how close it is to the office. As a business we have expenses that an individual may not have though, so you can definitely get it cheaper through a family member or friend. I also have a construction / architecture background and can point out things that were not done correctly, and sometimes not to code, so there is some added value there as well, hence the potentially higher cost.

Del-Metrius Miller · Answer

@Benjamin Orozco I am a realtor in the Topeka area.  Does  she have real estate knowledge? For some people this may be daunting if they don’t have a Real estate back ground. I think 100.00 each visit would be better. I think it would give more incentive.

Brian Van Pelt · Answer

@Benjamin Orozco

I've done this for investors before. The minimum  I charge is $65.00 per hour portal to portal. Minimum 3 hours.

Account Closed · Answer

You could just ask her what she'd want to be paid.  She may ask for less than you thought.  I prefer to hire people I can easily fire, though, which wouldn't include family or friends.

Reinaldo Lopez · Answer

Hi, just to add, I know of some fellow inspector that do construction progressive inspection, but they have a lot more knowledge than me because they where former general contractors. You can find some good ones for your area at IntarNACHI.org, https://www.nachi.org/certified-inspectors

Benjamin Orozco · Answer

@Gohar Shafiq

I hadn’t thought of a home inspector on these  i just used a contractor to give me a bid before offering on the house. The aunt photos is to get more in depth  pictures and to verify what the rehab itemized list is stating. But really just getting a home inspector from the beginning is always good and I have used them in the past but for these two houses I chose not use a home inspector.

paying family to take pictures of OUT OF STATE, how much???

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