So, if someone hires me to build something for them...I charge around that price.

I more so meant if there are people you could hire to do a pre-inspection to ensure you pass on the first go!

During his speech I researched his background and found out that he's a professional speaker hired by agencies to give presentations, and has no ties to RE.

The P&L isn't going to tell you that, you need to see the Balance Sheet.Put it simply, if an investor decided to hire someone like me to start handling their books and have to gather their financial statements, I would be charging an arm and leg to put it correctly.

(It's funny now) I hired a property management company and sure enough they told me the best qualified renter was the one who wanted to do a 9 month lease and pay it all upfront.

I dont their account reps change pretty frequently..

I started out by hiring out management and then learned to do it myself.  

Is the assumption here that it's owner-managed and the owner is hiring help?

The tenant got bed bugs and decided to "fix it" herself and hired a company to come do it without calling me.

Not knowing who the person is and hiring them without seeing an active job or a job they have ever done 2.