Pay at Close is an easy, flexible payment option you can offer clients that helps remove upfront cost barriers — while still getting you paid quickly and reliably. This guide is designed for inspectors who are new to Pay at Close and want to understand what it is, why it’s valuable, and how to turn it on with confidence.
What Is Pay at Close?
Pay at Close allows your clients to defer paying for their inspection until their real estate transaction closes. Instead of collecting payment at scheduling, the inspection fee is paid at closing, but you don’t have to wait to get paid.
Once the inspection report is published, Spectora pays the inspection company within 1–2 business days, then handles collecting payment from the title company or client.
Think of Pay at Close as a way to offer more flexibility to buyers without adding risk or extra work for you.
Why Inspectors Use Pay at Close
Benefits for Your Clients
No upfront payment: Buyers can schedule without paying out of pocket during an already expensive home-buying process.
Easier add-ons: Clients are more likely to say yes to additional services (radon, sewer scope, re-inspections) when payment isn’t immediate.
Flexible when things change: If negotiations or repairs require updates, those services can be included in the final invoice.
No credit check: Pay at Close does not impact the client’s credit.
Benefits for Your Business
Higher booking potential: Removing the upfront payment barrier can help convert more leads into booked inspections.
Fast, predictable payout: You’re paid shortly after publishing — no waiting for closing.
No payment risk: Spectora carries the financial risk and shields you from chargebacks or non-payment.
Less admin work: Spectora handles invoicing, payment follow-up, and communication with the title company.
Professional client experience: The agreement is built directly into the Client Portal and signed digitally.
What Pay at Close Costs
Inspector Fee
There is a flat $50 fee per inspection when a client selects Pay at Close.
The fee is automatically deducted from your payout.
Client Cost
Inspectors can now add an optional fee of $1–$100 as a line item on Pay at Close transactions, shown to the client as a “Pay at Close” line item on their invoice.
The $50 Spectora fee to the inspector is unchanged and is never charged to the client.
You're solely responsible for determining whether this fee is permitted by applicable law in your area.
This fee is a fee for inspection services generally — not a fee for using Pay at Close or any particular payment method. It should not be described as a surcharge, passed on, recouped, or imposed to cover a Spectora fee.
Minimum & Maximum Limits
Minimum inspection total: $50 (you can set a higher minimum if you prefer)
Maximum inspection total: $2,500 per inspection
These limits determine whether Pay at Close appears as an option in the Client Portal.
How Pay Splits Work with Pay at Close
The $50 Pay at Close fee comes out of the company's share, not the inspector's.
The inspector's percentage is calculated on the full inspection price, before the fee is deducted.
Example: on a $400 inspection with a 50% split, the inspector gets $200, and the company gets $150 ($200 minus the $50 fee).
There's no setting to move the Pay at Close fee onto the inspector.
How to Turn On Pay at Close
Before you start: Spectora Payments must be enabled, as this is how payouts are distributed.
Step 1: Enable Pay at Close in Payments
Go to Settings → Payments
Toggle on Enable Pay at Close
(Optional) Set a minimum transaction amount
(Optional) Enable the Client Portal upsell banner
Step 2: Enable It for Your Services
Go to Settings → Services & Fees
Click into a service (e.g., Home Inspection)
Toggle on Pay at Close
By default, Pay at Close is enabled for all services once turned on. You can disable it for specific services at any time.
Important Things to Know Up Front
Publishing triggers payment: Using "Publish All" on a Pay at Close inspection will trigger your payout.
Spectora manages payment collection: Title company outreach, reminders, and follow-up are handled for you.
Inspection quality concerns are unchanged: Any questions about inspection findings or service quality are handled directly between you and the client, just like with any payment method.
How Pay at Close Works Day-to-Day
For You (The Inspector)
When a client selects Pay at Close and you use Publish All, Spectora pays you.
Spectora becomes the system of record for the inspection invoice.
❗ If services or fees change, or if you receive payment directly, those updates must be recorded in Spectora.
For Your Client
Clients select Pay at Close in the Client Portal by:
Clicking Pay Now
Choosing Pay at Close
Entering closing details
Signing the built-in agreement
Adding a backup payment method
Common Questions
Why don’t I see Pay at Close? It may be disabled on the service, the inspection total is below your minimum or above the $2,500 maximum, or the closing date is more than 60 days from the inspection date.
What if the deal falls through? Payment is still due per the agreement, and Spectora handles collection.
Can I cancel Pay at Close? Yes, depending on whether the report has been published.
Who answers questions? Inspectors can reach the Spectora CS team via the chat bubble or email support@spectora.com. Clients, agents, and closing contacts can email payatclose@spectora.com.
Is this fee a surcharge? No. A surcharge is an incremental fee for using a particular payment method, typically a credit card. The optional fee inspectors may choose to impose is a fee for inspection services generally, not a fee for using Pay at Close or a particular payment method. Inspectors choosing to impose this fee should still consider the potential application of state surcharge laws.
I thought fees couldn't be passed on to the client. What changed? Inspectors may now include an optional fee on the client's invoice. This fee is the inspector's own separate charge for inspection services — it should not be characterized as a fee for Pay at Close or other payment processing, and should never be described as “passed on,” “recouped,” or imposed to cover a Spectora fee.
Final Thoughts
Pay at Close is designed to be easy to turn on, simple to manage, and valuable for both you and your clients. Many inspectors start by offering it selectively, then expand usage once they’re comfortable.
If you ever have questions or want help optimizing how you use Pay at Close, our team is here to help.