In the dashboard: Business Tools → Pay At Close
Pay at Close walkthrough
What is Pay At Close?
Pay At Close is a flexible payment option that allows your clients to defer their inspection fees until their real estate transaction closes. The best part? You don’t have to wait - you get paid within 1-2 business days after publishing the report, regardless of when the property closes. This creates a win-win situation:- Clients can proceed with inspections without immediate out-of-pocket costs
- Inspectors receive fast, predictable payments without collection risk
How it works
For inspectors
- Client selects Pay At Close during booking or in the Client Portal
- You complete the inspection and publish the report using “Publish All”
- You receive payment within 1-2 business days
- We handle all payment collection from the title company or client
For clients
When your client chooses Pay At Close, they will:- Click “Pay Now” in their Client Portal
- Select “Pay At Close” as their payment method
- Enter their expected closing date and title company details
- Sign the built-in payment agreement digitally
- Provide a backup payment method
Fees & pricing
Transaction limits
Pay At Close is available for inspections within these limits:- Minimum: $500 by default (you can set a different minimum in your payment settings)
- Maximum: $1,200 per inspection
Setting up Pay At Close
Online payments must already be enabled on your account before Pay At Close can be switched on.
Ask Hive to enable Pay At Close
Pay At Close is enabled per organization by the Hive Inspect team. Go to Business Tools → Payments in the web dashboard; the Pay At Close card shows Managed by HiveInspect. Contact support through the in-app chat or support@hiveinspect.com to turn it on.
Set your minimum and eligible services
Once enabled, in the same Business Tools → Payments card:
- Set the Minimum Invoice Amount (recommended $500). Invoices below this amount won’t show the Pay At Close option.
- Under Services, select which services can use Pay At Close. Leave it empty to allow all services.
- (Optional) Enable the Client Portal upsell banner to promote this option.
Key terms & conditions
Understanding these important terms ensures smooth operations:- Minimum 24-hour lead time - Clients must elect Pay At Close at least 24 hours before the scheduled inspection time. Selections made inside that window will not be eligible.
- Right to cancel for unverified information - We reserve the right to cancel a Pay At Close election up to 3 hours before the inspection if we are unable to validate the closing information provided by the client (e.g., title company, closing date, transaction details).
- Publishing triggers payment - Once you publish the report, payment processing begins. There is no delay mechanism.
- System of record - When Pay At Close is used, the platform becomes the official system of record for that inspection invoice.
- Service changes - Any changes to services or fees during the inspection must be recorded in the system.
- Direct payments - If you receive any direct payment from a client (cash, check, etc.), you must document it in the system.
- Payment is guaranteed - Even if the real estate deal falls through, the payment remains due per the signed agreement. We handle all collection efforts.
Benefits
For your clients
- No upfront payment barrier - Removes financial friction from booking
- More likely to accept add-ons - Clients are more open to radon testing, sewer scopes, and other services when not paying immediately
- Flexibility during negotiations - Service updates during the repair negotiation phase are easier
- No credit impact - This is not a credit product and doesn’t affect client credit scores
For you (The inspector)
- Higher booking conversion rates - Fewer abandoned bookings due to payment friction
- Fast, predictable payouts - Get paid in 1-2 business days, not weeks
- Zero collection risk - We absorb all chargeback and non-payment risk
- Less administrative work - No chasing payments or dealing with title companies
- Professional experience - Digital agreements handled seamlessly within the platform
Frequently asked questions
Why isn't Pay At Close showing as an option for my client?
Why isn't Pay At Close showing as an option for my client?
Check these common causes:
- The service isn’t in your eligible services list - check Business Tools → Payments
- The inspection total is above 500)
- Pay At Close hasn’t been enabled for your organization yet - contact support
What happens if the real estate deal falls through?
What happens if the real estate deal falls through?
Payment remains due per the agreement the client signed. We manage the entire collection process - you still get paid within 1-2 business days of publishing regardless of what happens with the property transaction.
Can a Pay At Close payment be canceled?
Can a Pay At Close payment be canceled?
Pay At Close can only be changed on the same day the customer selects this option. After that, our processing begins and cannot be reverted for that inspection.
Who do I contact for support?
Who do I contact for support?
- Inspectors: Use in-app chat or contact support directly
- Clients, agents, and closing contacts: Direct them to our Pay At Close support team
Can I start with just a few services?
Can I start with just a few services?
Absolutely. Many inspectors begin by enabling Pay At Close for select services (like add-ons) before expanding to all offerings. This lets you get comfortable with the process before full adoption.
Does this affect how I handle quality concerns?
Does this affect how I handle quality concerns?
No. Quality concerns, disputes about inspection findings, or requests for re-inspection are handled directly between you and your client - exactly the same as any other payment method.
Getting started
Pay At Close is designed to be easy to enable and simple to manage. Here’s our recommended approach:- Ask Hive to enable it for your organization
- Start with add-on services like radon, termite, or sewer scope inspections
- Monitor your bookings - many inspectors see increased add-on acceptance rates
- Expand to all services once you’re comfortable with the workflow
Next step
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