Get Paid Before You Inspect: Payment Up Front For Private Appraisals
October 30, 2026 · 4 min read
With lender work, an AMC or the lender pays you. With private work, the client pays you, and chasing a homeowner for payment after delivery is the fastest way to hate direct work. The fix is simple: payment before the work.
Why up front works
- No collections. You never deliver a report and then wait.
- Fewer cancellations. Clients who have paid show up and keep the inspection.
- Clearer expectations. Payment comes with the engagement letter, so the client knows exactly what they're buying.
How to say it to clients
Keep it matter-of-fact: "Payment is due when you book. Once it's in, I'll confirm your inspection time." Most clients are used to paying up front for professional services. Those who push back hard are often the ones who would have paid late.
Make paying easy
- Online card payment with a receipt sent automatically.
- One link that has the quote, the engagement letter and the payment together.
- Clear refund terms in the engagement letter (for example, if the client cancels before the inspection).
Exceptions
Some court-ordered work can't be paid until a judge approves it. Handle those as a written exception, not the rule.
Where Go1000.ai fits
In Go1000.ai the client gets a quote, signs the engagement letter and pays online before you're scheduled, and every message is saved with the order. The money goes to your own Stripe account. Start a free trial.