I think we are talking apples and oranges here because the professional 
(and I certainly don't want to defend that term because I already 
alluded to the issue of credible certification) I'm talking about using 
is advertised as a home inspector.  Their process is usually completed 
with a few hours work.  People hire them to do a pre-purchase inspection 
or sometimes to discover issues before selling a house.

Just to reaffirm my prior personal knowledge, I went online before 
sending my original message to confirm the "several hundred dollars" 
estimate was valid and I was able to find several places that listed 
fees under $500.  I suggested it as a quick answer to the question of 
the current condition of the building as Ruth didn't seem to have a good 
handle on what her group might be taking on.  It would certainly not be 
the only professional (and the only costs) involved in the process of 
reviving the building but should afford a quick assessment.  Having 
known a very qualified (even overly qualified), creditable inspection 
team I know that there are good people out there.

I suspect Ralph's cases involve situations where a foolish inspector 
represented more than he could actually deliver and/or a client who 
didn't understand the limitations of an inspection report.  If you want 
to know if your flue is vented properly or the polarity and grounding in 
your building is correct, the roof's condition, if the building leaks, 
if pest infestations are a problem, if there is radon present or 
possible plumbing issues, which I think Ruth was concerned with, then I 
think it is a good way to go.  Certainly for structural issues and 
planning any other projects, someone else is required.  Could anyone do 
what a home inspector does?  Perhaps if you were knowledgeable in the 
many aspects of building systems but for most people, building 
inspectors serve a function.

Now when you get to Historic Structures Reports or Preservation Plans, 
we are talking much higher costs, more like $10,000-$30,000 and up. 
Even to prepare a National Register Listing will probably cost several 
thousand dollars.  When you get into the actual preservation of the 
building, costs can typically go over $100,000.  That's why I mentioned 
the availability (in some areas at least) of preservation grants.   For 
a small, local organization, those costs are hard to come by without 
assistance but local groups here have done quite well over the years 
getting State, County and Local grants, probably well in excess of a 
million dollars.

Sorry to have complicated the request for advice.  This is not meant to 
be an advertisement for home inspectors, neither I nor any member of my 
family works as a home inspector and I have no affiliations with home 
inspectors (in fact the team I knew has since moved to North Carolina 
and I no contact information for them).  For what it is worth, Covered 
Bridge Home Inspections LLC in Troy, Vermont (I know that it is farther 
away than Albany but is just an example) represents that he is a 
National Trust for Historic Preservation member (I assume that means he 
has some interest in historic buildings but may just be a means to snag 
more clients) as well as a Better Business Bureau member.  Again , no 
ad, just something I found on the web.  Check references before hiring 
anyone!

Good luck with whatever you do,
T. G.






Hammarberg, Eric wrote:
> Sorry to harp on fees but I don't want Ruth to be mislead. A professional
> will cost more than "a couple hundred dollars...to get a quick (one to
> several days) decent snapshot of the building's 
> current status..." I think you should assume a minimum of $1000 per day and
> many of us cost 2X's that.
> 
> Eric
> 

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