Inspectors using HomeGauge Payments have the option to charge a Technology Fee for credit and debit card payments. This fee replaces the older Surcharge feature and offers a simpler, more consistent way to recover payment processing costs.
What Is the Technology Fee?
The Technology Fee is a fixed 3.95% charge that can be passed to clients when they pay online using a credit or debit card.
This is optional—you choose whether to enable it.
The fee applies to all online card payments, including those through the Inspector, Customer, and REP Dashboards.
It is displayed before payment is submitted and shows as a separate line item on the receipt.
Requirements to Use This Fee
Before enabling the Technology Fee, please ensure the following:
✅ Your business is based in the United States.
✅ You are set up with HomeGauge Payments.
✅ You offer a fee-free alternative (e.g., cash, check) to comply with federal and state laws.
💡 You must provide a no-fee option for clients to remain compliant.
Pros and Cons to Consider
Transaction fees are always a contentious topic. The infrastructure that facilitates money moving from account to account costs money, and someone has to pay it! Traditionally, most businesses absorb this as "the cost of doing business" and offer a convenient way to pay online.
Before enabling the fee, consider the tradeoffs:
Profit - you can increase your profit margin without raising prices by having your clients pay the fee for credit/debit card processing.
Perception - some clients may feel "nickel and dimed" by an additional fee being added at the time of payment.
Increased use of cash/check - some clients may not want to pay online because of this fee, instead opting for cash or check payments. You'll have to decide if this is a good fit for your business based on the risks.
How to Pass Credit Card Fees to Clients
How to Enable or Disable the Technology Fee
You can turn the Technology Fee on or off at any time:
Go to Account Settings > Company Options in your Inspector Dashboard.
Scroll to the Technology Fee section near the bottom.
Check the box labeled Enable Technology Fee.
If you want to disable the Technology Fee, uncheck the Enable Technology Fee box.
Click Save Company Options.
Once enabled, the 3.95% fee will automatically apply to all online card payments.
How It Appears to You and Your Clients
The Technology Fee is clearly shown before payment information is entered.
The 3.95% fee is automatically included in the total.
A separate line item labeled “Technology Fee” appears on the invoice receipt.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is it called a "Technology Fee"?
By law, we can't use phrases like "processing fee," "credit card fee," or "payment fee." Based on our research, “Technology Fee” is the most commonly used term that falls within the bounds of federal, state, and local laws. However, we always advise you to check with your legal counsel.
Can I adjust the fee percentage?
No. The 3.95% fee is set by HomeGauge and cannot be adjusted.
Why does it apply to debit cards, too?
The Technology Fee is designed to apply uniformly to all card types. It simplifies the checkout process for both inspectors and clients—no need to select card type at checkout.
Can I disable the fee on one inspection or for one client?
No. The fee applies account-wide. You can turn it off temporarily, but any clients paying while it’s off will not be charged the fee.
What if I don’t want to charge my clients this fee?
The setting is completely optional. Leave it disabled and continue accepting payments without the added fee.
Need Help?
Still have questions? Want help enabling the Technology Fee? Reach out to our Support Team—we’re here to help.