Well, I'm okay with what I done so I guess it don't matter.

Client, an eighty six year old widow of an army air force veteran (who by the way was a radar operator on the seventh of December 1941 in Hawaii and reported a flight of planes incoming but that's another story). She is still in possession of her family home (moved into it when she was ten months old) and the adjoining family lots and homes.
One of the homes she rents out and it has squirrels and rats. But it also is need of a roof, new gutters, soffit and fascia repairs plus the basement is flooded. At sometime in the past someone has attempted to do an exclusion on the home.
Considering the extent of damage present and the costs of repairs I presented her with my findings and stated for the record that trapping at this time would more than likely need to be repeated on a continguing basis until the recommended repairs are completed. Repairs which are beyond the scope of what I can offer.
She declined trapping at this time, as was my hope, and I waived my inspection fee.

Well done!

When I do that, someone always asks, "but what if they're really rich and could easily afford your inspection fee?"

My answer is, "I did what I felt was right and I feel good. If they didn't, that's not my fault!"

Paul, the property she was sitting on is in the heart of Decatur, GA was probably dirt road farm land when she was ten months old now sits within five minutes of the intersection of interstates 20 and 285 and is surrounded by new apartment complexes. If I had to guess I'd say the dirt alone is upwards of 1.5. Matters not because when I realized the situation I kind of knew how I wanted to handle it.
My only regret was not spending more time with her and letting her share all the changes she's seen in her lifetime. I'm going to try to get a line on some reputable folks to do the repairs for her then coordinate with them on the animal issues.

Of course you did right.

I find myself waiving more and more inspection fees when the job just isn't worth doing. Sure we are here to make money but at some point we have to realize we are also here to help people.

Had a customer today tell me that he called 8 companies about his bat problem and I was the only one to call him back. I guess bat exclusions are a lot easier to sell if the competition don't want to return phone calls.

Sometimes ya just got to follow your gut instinct and do what feels right to you. I know I offer discounts to law enforcement, fire, EMS, military, senior citizens. This includes actively serving and retired. And then again I do a lot of free jobs when my gut tells me the people really need the help but it would cause a hardship to charge.
But, right now this is not my primary source of income either.

When I meet my maker I would rather be poor with a clean conscience, than rich and feeling like a jerk. Cant really take either in the end.