🔍 What Do Your Inspections Really Cost?

Most property managers underestimate their inspection costs by 60%. This calculator shows the true per-unit cost — including the costs you're not tracking.

👤 Who Does Your Inspections?

Current inspection method

⏱️ Your Time Costs

Your hourly rate (or salary equivalent)

Salaried? Divide annual salary by 2,080 hours

Round-trip drive time (minutes)

Time inside the unit (minutes)

Report writing / photo organizing (minutes)

Round-trip mileage

IRS rate: $0.70/mile (2026)

👷 Staff Costs

Staff hourly rate

Round-trip drive time (minutes)

Time inside the unit (minutes)

Report writing / photo organizing (minutes)

Round-trip mileage

Your time reviewing their report (minutes)

🏢 Professional Inspector Costs

Cost per inspection

Your time scheduling + coordinating (minutes)

Average wait time for appointment (days)

⚠️ Cost of Skipping

When you skip inspections, you're not saving money — you're deferring costs. Colorado law (C.R.S. § 38-12-103) requires documented evidence for deposit deductions. Without photos and documentation, you're likely eating damages.

Units per year you skip inspections for

Average unreported damage per unit

Industry average: $200-500 per turnover in undocumented damage

% of tenants who dispute deductions

📊 Your Portfolio

Total units managed

Average turnover rate (% per year)

National average: 40-60%. Denver metro: ~45%

Your Current Cost

per inspection

RobotFail

$99

per inspection — first one FREE

💰 Cost Breakdown

Your Annual Savings with RobotFail

⚖️ Hidden Liability You're Not Counting

Deposit disputes: Without dated, third-party photos, you lose in court. Average small claims judgment against PMs: $1,200.
Missed damage: Rushed inspections miss 20-30% of damage items. That's money you absorb.
Turnover delays: Every day a unit sits vacant waiting for inspection = lost rent. At $1,800/mo that's $60/day.
Staff opportunity cost: Your maintenance person inspecting = your maintenance person NOT maintaining. Deferred maintenance compounds.

Try It Free — Zero Risk

First inspection is completely free. 8 rooms photographed and documented. Professional PDF report within 24 hours. If you don't like it, you've lost nothing.

Book Free Inspection → See Sample Report

Managing 5+ properties? Volume pricing starts at $79/unit →

📧 Get the Full Cost Analysis Template

We'll send you a spreadsheet version you can customize for your portfolio.

✓ Check your inbox! We'll send the template shortly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is this calculator?

Conservative. We use IRS mileage rates and direct time costs. We don't include benefits overhead (~30% for W-2 employees), workers' comp liability, or the risk premium of deposit disputes without documentation. Your actual cost is likely higher.

What does a RobotFail inspection include?

A local worker visits the property, photographs all 8 rooms (40+ photos), documents condition findings, and submits everything through our platform. You get a professional PDF report with photos, condition notes, and deposit deduction guidance — within 24 hours.

Who does the actual inspection?

Vetted local workers in Denver. Every photo and finding goes through our verification protocol before you see it. You get third-party documentation that holds up in deposit disputes — something you can't get from doing it yourself.

Can I use this for move-in AND move-out?

Yes. Many PMs book both — the move-in report establishes baseline condition, the move-out report documents any changes. Side-by-side comparison makes deposit deductions bulletproof. Volume pricing applies across all bookings.

What about larger portfolios?

Volume pricing: 2-4 units at $89/each (10% off), 5+ units at $79/each (20% off). Recurring schedules available (monthly, quarterly, semi-annual). Book multiple units here →

Why would a third party be better than my own inspection?

Objectivity. In a deposit dispute, the tenant's lawyer will argue your inspection was biased. A third-party report from a platform with timestamped, verified photos is much harder to challenge. It's the difference between "my landlord says" and "an independent inspector documented."

📐 Calculation Methodology

Time cost: (drive minutes + inspection minutes + report minutes) ÷ 60 × hourly rate
Mileage: miles × $0.70 (2026 IRS standard rate)
Opportunity cost: Not calculated (but real — every hour inspecting is an hour not managing, leasing, or growing)
Benefits overhead: Not calculated (add ~30% for W-2 employees)
Liability risk: Not calculated (but Colorado deposit law penalties can be 3× the deposit amount)

This calculator intentionally underestimates your costs. The real number is probably higher.