How Much Does an LL11 / FISP Inspection Cost?

This is the question every building owner, board member, and property manager asks first. The honest answer is: it depends on the building. But we can explain what drives the cost and give you realistic ranges.

What You’re Paying For

An LL11 / FISP inspection is not just someone looking at your building. The cost covers a complete professional engagement:

1. The physical inspection. A QEWI (licensed PE or RA) examines all exterior walls and appurtenances up close. This requires physical access to the facade.
2. Photo documentation. Every condition is photographed and its location recorded. For a 20-story building, expect 150 to 300+ frames.
3. Defect classification. Each condition is classified as Unsafe, SWARMP, or Maintenance— a professional judgment call that the QEWI’s license backs.
4. Report preparation. Compiling findings into a FISP-compliant document with defect inventory, photo evidence, severity classifications, and repair recommendations.
5. DOB filing.Submitting through DOB Now with the QEWI’s professional certification.

Cost Ranges by Building Size

These ranges are qualitative estimates based on publicly available information and industry conversations. Your building’s actual cost will depend on the factors listed below.

These are the QEWI’s fees. Access costs (see below) are additional.

What Drives the Price Up

Access method

The biggest variable cost is how the QEWI gets close to the facade. Options, roughly from least to most expensive:

• Drone photography.Lowest access cost. A licensed drone operator captures high-resolution imagery from all elevations. The QEWI reviews the photography to perform the classification. Not all conditions can be fully assessed from drone imagery alone — some QEWIs use drones for the primary survey and supplement with targeted physical access for ambiguous conditions.
• Rope access. Technicians descend the facade on ropes. Faster to set up than scaffolding, but limited in what areas they can reach.
• Swing stage (scaffolding platform). Suspended from the roof, lowered along the facade. Good for thorough close-up examination of large continuous facades.
• Erected scaffolding. Most expensive access method. Required for some building geometries or when extensive hands-on assessment is needed.

Facade complexity

• Material variety. A building with brick, terra cotta ornament, limestone trim, and a metal cornice takes longer to inspect than a uniform concrete panel facade.
• Setbacks and irregular geometry. Buildings with multiple setbacks, light courts, or irregular footprints have more elevation surface area and more access challenges.
• Appurtenances. Fire escapes, balconies, cornices, window guards, and other projecting elements each need individual assessment.

Condition of the facade

A building in poor condition takes longer to inspect and document. More defects means more classification work, more photos, and a longer report. A well-maintained building in good condition is faster and therefore cheaper.

Prior cycle history

If the same QEWI inspected the building in a prior cycle, they already know the building and can reference their previous findings. A new QEWI starting from scratch takes longer.

How to Budget

For a typical co-op or condo building in the 6-to-20-story range, budget for:

• QEWI fee (inspection + report + filing)
• Access costs (drone operator or swing stage rental)
• Potential repair costs if Unsafe or SWARMP conditions are found

Request quotes from at least two QEWIs. Ask for a per-building price that includes the inspection, report, and filing. Access costs should be itemized separately so you can compare apples to apples.

The Real Cost of Deferring

The cost of the inspection is fixed. The cost of not inspecting compounds: DOB violations, accumulated fines, sidewalk sheds, and liability exposure. See LL11 Penalties and Late Filing for details.

For most buildings, the inspection cost is a fraction of one month’s sidewalk shed rental.