RV Inspection Agreements: What to Include and How to Get Them Signed

An RV inspection agreement is the document your client signs before the inspection that spells out what you will inspect, what you will not, what it costs, and what happens if something goes wrong. It protects your client as much as it protects you: a buyer who knows exactly what a pre-purchase inspection covers is far less likely to be disappointed by the report.

Most agreement templates you will find online are written for home inspections. RVs are different. A home inspection agreement does not mention propane systems, slide-outs, chassis and running gear, or the fact that the unit may be sitting on a dealer's lot two hours away. This guide covers what an RV-specific agreement should include and how to get it signed without chasing clients on inspection day.

Not legal advice. This article is general information to help you think through your agreement. Contract and consumer protection rules vary by state and province. Have a lawyer licensed where you work review your agreement before you use it.

Why Every RV Inspection Needs an Agreement

Without an agreement, the scope of your inspection lives only in the client's head, and their version is usually bigger than yours. An agreement does a few important jobs:

• It sets the scope in writing. The client knows which systems are covered, how deep the inspection goes, and which add-ons they did or did not pay for.
• It explains the limits. A visual, non-invasive inspection cannot find what is hidden behind walls or inside sealed components. Saying so up front prevents arguments later.
• It settles the business terms. Fees, travel charges, payment timing, rescheduling and cancellations are agreed before you drive anywhere.
• It gives you a professional process. Clients take an inspector who sends a clear agreement more seriously than one who works on a handshake.

What to Include in an RV Inspection Agreement

1. The parties and the unit

Name your business and the client, with contact details for both. Identify the RV by year, make, model and VIN where you have it, plus where the inspection will happen. If the client is not the owner, for example a buyer inspecting a dealer's or private seller's unit, say so.

2. The scope of the inspection

List the systems you inspect: roof and exterior, chassis and running gear, propane, electrical, plumbing, appliances, slide-outs, interior and safety devices. State the type of inspection, usually a visual, non-invasive inspection of readily accessible components, and name the standard you follow. If you are certified, reference that standard, such as the NRVIA Standards of Practice. Our guide to running NRVIA inspections in WanderWise covers how that standard maps to your checklist.

Spell out optional services separately, such as fluid analysis, moisture testing or a generator load test, and whether this booking includes them.

3. What is not included

Exclusions matter as much as the scope. Common ones include disassembling components, hidden or concealed defects, warranties or guarantees about future performance, code or manufacturer-specification compliance, cosmetic issues, and environmental testing such as mold, unless the client has bought it as an add-on. Make clear the inspection is not an appraisal and not a warranty.

4. Access and inspection conditions

This is where RV agreements differ most from home inspection agreements. The client should be responsible for arranging access and permission from the seller or dealer. Ask for shore power, propane and water to be available so systems can be operated, and slide-outs to be clear to extend. Note that weather can limit roof access, and that anything you cannot safely inspect will be recorded as not inspected rather than skipped silently.

If you charge a trip fee when you arrive and the unit is not accessible, say so here.

5. Fees, payment and travel

State the inspection fee, any travel fee, applicable taxes, and when payment is due. Many inspectors release the report once payment is received. Whatever your policy, write it down. Our guide to pricing RV inspection services covers how to set those numbers.

6. Rescheduling and cancellations

RV inspections move more than most appointments: sellers change their minds, dealers sell the unit, weather turns. Set out how much notice the client must give to reschedule or cancel without charge, and what happens if you have to reschedule because of weather or safety.

7. The report

Describe what the client receives, such as a PDF and an online report with photos, and when to expect it. State that the report is prepared for the client named in the agreement, and whether it may be shared with the seller, lender or insurer. If you use inspection photos for training or marketing, ask for permission here. You can see what a finished deliverable looks like in our sample RV inspection report.

8. Liability and disputes

Many inspection agreements limit the inspector's liability, for example to the fee paid, and require the client to give notice of any claim and a chance to re-inspect before repairs are made. Whether these clauses are enforceable depends heavily on where you work, which is the main reason to have a local lawyer review your agreement.

9. Signature and date

The client signs and dates the agreement before the inspection begins. If you accept electronic signatures, say so in the agreement itself.

When to Get the Agreement Signed

The best time is when the appointment is confirmed, not when you arrive. Signing on site is rushed, often happens without the buyer present when you are inspecting at a dealer, and leaves no time for questions. A signed agreement before inspection day also screens out clients who are not serious.

Many RV buyers are not local: they are buying a unit in another town and may never meet you in person. Sending the agreement with the booking confirmation means they can read it on their phone and sign before you set out.

How to Get an RV Inspection Agreement Signed Online

Electronic signatures are widely used for service agreements in both the United States and Canada, though the rules vary by jurisdiction, so confirm that they suit your situation. A simple online process looks like this:

• Fill the agreement in with the client's details, the RV, the address, the date and the fees, so every agreement is specific to the job.
• Email the client a link to review and sign on any device.
• Get notified when it is signed, and keep a copy with the inspection record.

WanderWise does this for you. Write your agreement once in the web portal, using placeholders such as the customer name, inspection address, start date and total fee, and WanderWise fills them in for each inspection. If you take bookings through WanderWise online booking, turn on Require a signed agreement and the agreement goes out in the same email that confirms the appointment. You get a notification as soon as the client signs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using a home inspection agreement unchanged. It will not mention propane, slide-outs, chassis or access to dealer and seller units.
• Vague scope. “Full inspection” means different things to different clients. List the systems.
• No exclusions. If it is not written down, the client may assume it was included.
• No cancellation terms. Without them, a sold unit or a bad-weather day costs you a booking and a drive.
• Signing after the inspection. An agreement signed after the work is done gives you far less protection.

A clear agreement is part of running a professional RV inspection business, alongside good reports and a simple way for clients to book. If you are building that business, our guide to starting an RV inspection business covers the rest of the setup.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Have a lawyer licensed in your state or province review your RV inspection agreement.