Disaster Inspections (CDAIR) & Bids

[nofx4us]

I'm starting to get bid requests for the CDAIR form, as I'm in north Jersey and have a couple counties up here that were just declared Fed. disaster areas (flooding from Ida). The first came over with a $100 fee (minus $6 tech lol), and I countered almost triple. Denied. Just got a couple more, now just asking for bid requests. First thought is that other appraisers are also countering for higher fees, and the lenders are trying to shop for the cheapest and set a C&R.
Also, the ones I've received requests for, so far, have been for homes for purchase where I was not the original appraiser. Found that odd.
I guess I'm just trying to get a feel for an appropriate fee for this type of report/level of inspection. They want full interior/exterior inspections with full photos, and of course itemized lists (and costs) of damaged areas.
The last time we dealt with a declared disaster up here was when superstorm Sandy ripped through. But, I remember those requests being only for curbside inspections, and I'm not sure I did more than 1 or 2 of them.
Any input is appreciated.

 

[breakmaker]

With the wild fires in Cali for the CDAIR I charging $100-125 for just an exterior drive by.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I charging $100-125 for just an exterior drive by.

CDAIR form

https://mktrsc.mercuryvmp.com/downloads/cdair.pdf

It strikes me that it could take 30 minutes or longer to fill out the form. So drive time, photos, and form filling...I don't see how you would get less than 2 hour per assignment unless the property is next door. I would just figure $100 an hour and try to estimate my time. Question. What happens if there is obvious damage? Question 2. What if the damage is not obvious (like flooding, leaking in roof, etc.) Question 3. Without walking around the house how do you know it doesn't have damage behind the house?

 

[shrubberyvaluation]

https://mktrsc.mercuryvmp.com/downloads/cdair.pdf

It strikes me that it could take 30 minutes or longer to fill out the form. So drive time, photos, and form filling...I don't see how you would get less than 2 hour per assignment unless the property is next door. I would just figure $100 an hour and try to estimate my time. Question. What happens if there is obvious damage? Question 2. What if the damage is not obvious (like flooding, leaking in roof, etc.) Question 3. Without walking around the house how do you know it doesn't have damage behind the house?

Or it could be on the way or nearby other appointments. I'd guess you need a lot of CYA verbiage to say its based on your observations which is not a thorough inspection in case there is not obvious damage. I've never done one as a drive-by, that seems crazy.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I've never done one as a drive-by, that seems crazy.

I can see an exterior inspection, but drive by seems basically you saying it is "OK" when, if fact, it might not be.

 

[spittman]

The inspection and write-up you do is basically the same inspection you do for an FHA appraisal minus measuring so what percentage of that part of the process would you say is appropriate? I say 25% of what you would charge for an FHA appraisal plus $50 for gas. $100 if it's a long drive. I also decline CDAIRs if I was not the original appraiser.

First time I received a request for these was during Hurricane Katrina. I was getting a ton of them and I couldn't understand why because there was no thunderstorm here. What I found out was that we were in a county that was approved for FEMA relief not because we were in a disaster area, but because we were one of a handful of counties that provided refuge for hurricane victims. We ended up on the Presidentially declared list that lenders could see but were not able to differentiate between the inland and coastline affected. There was absolutely no damage on properties here from the hurricane and I imagine a lot of appraisers were making easy money from doing all those CDAIRs.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

I've done a few exterior only due to fire worries. The properties were miles from any fire.
Drive by take photos. Easy money.

 

[spittman]

I've never done one as a drive-by, that seems crazy.

An exterior CDAIR is not a drive-by. It is an exterior only which means there is nothing that precludes you from walking the grounds of the property unless there is something that prevents you from doing so. In that case, you explain the extent of your exterior inspection and what you observed. On the form there are two check boxes with the words "apparently" and "apparent". I check those and include the definition of apparent in my comments - "that which is visible, obvious, or evident and seemingly true, but not necessarily so."

These are a little easier to do if you have experience in determining evidence of hail damage. Fire and flood damage are a little more obvious from the outside, but plumbing leaks from frozen/busted pipes are a little bit tricky if you're only doing an exterior. I also put in a disclaimer that I am not a home inspector and that I do not guarantee home is free of defects. Never had an issue.

 

[Fernando]

I think I was paid somewhere $125 to $150.
Last year when there was a fire over 50 miles away, the properties I appraised were not affected at all. Not one bit except for some smoggy days.
So it was easy and obvious that there was no damage but client still wanted me to verify.
It was easy money. Hard part was setting up the time to go just to check for measly $150.

In your case with the flood, I don't know if many of your properties have actually been damaged.
If so, it will require more work and I would ask for higher fee. Put on your inspection hat.

 

[shrubberyvaluation]

I think I was paid somewhere $125 to $150.
Last year when there was a fire over 50 miles away, the properties I appraised were not affected at all. Not one bit except for some smoggy days.
So it was easy and obvious that there was no damage but client still wanted me to verify.
It was easy money. Hard part was setting up the time to go just to check for measly $150.

In your case with the flood, I don't know if many of your properties have actually been damaged.
If so, it will require more work and I would ask for higher fee. Put on your inspection hat.

I'll take a "measly" $150 to check anyday to check on a house that inside my coverage area and outside of the disaster area.