{"id":21031,"date":"2021-01-06T14:23:22","date_gmt":"2021-01-06T22:23:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=21031"},"modified":"2021-01-06T14:23:22","modified_gmt":"2021-01-06T22:23:22","slug":"buyer-home-inspection-cost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-home-inspection-cost\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much Your Inspection Will Cost, And What It Will Tell You"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re trying to save money or keep your costs down, you may wonder if you really need to have a home inspection done. The seller\u2019s disclosures<\/a> gave you a window into the home\u2019s condition, and your agent may have pointed out watermarks on the bedroom ceiling, a sign the roof might leak, or cracks in the walls from a settling foundation. When your agent helped you write your offer<\/a>, the home\u2019s condition informed your offer price. So, why get a home inspection? And how much does a home inspection cost?<\/p>\n

Phillip Orr<\/a>, a Missouri agent who works with 71% more single-family homes than the average agent in his area, thinks that \u201cyou don\u2019t necessarily need an inspector to tell you about an issue that you\u2019ve already identified. You need them to tell you what you don\u2019t<\/i> know.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Source: (Valmedia \/ ShutterStock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What is a home inspection?<\/h2>\n

When you make an offer on a home, your agent will probably advise you to include an inspection contingency. During a home inspection<\/a>, the inspector looks at variables like the age and condition of the roof and foundation; they\u2019ll also test the plumbing and water pressure, and examines the HVAC and electrical systems.<\/p>\n

Where you live will influence where they concentrate their attention. In a cold-weather state, they may spend a lot of time on the roof. In a hot, humid state, they\u2019ll test your air conditioning system.<\/p>\n

After the inspection, they\u2019ll give you an inspection report. This could be a print-out in a binder, an emailed PDF, or an interactive report with videos and pictures. You should hang on to this report, even if you don\u2019t use it to negotiate on price.<\/p>\n

As Orr puts it, \u201csometimes you want an inspection just to simply have a checklist of improvements<\/a> to make on the home down the road.\u201d<\/p>\n

How much does a home inspection cost?<\/h2>\n

Just like the home inspection\u2019s contents will depend on where you live, so will its price. Market conditions, demand, and supply (in other words, the number of home inspectors in your town), all influence the final price. In Orr\u2019s area, home inspections cost about $400, but nationwide, most homebuyers can expect to pay between $275 and $400.<\/p>\n

In general, Nick Gromicko<\/a>, the founder of International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, says \u201csize, distance from inspector, price, and age of home are all factors that determine the price.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s up to your inspector how they want to set their pricing. Some charge a flat fee based on square footage, such as $300 for a 2,000-square-foot home, tacking on $25 for each additional 500 square feet. If one home has double the square footage than another you made an offer on, expect its inspection report to cost more than the smaller home\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Others might dig deeper on the home\u2019s age and condition before quoting a price. Older homes<\/a> can have more issues \u2014 such as plumbing or an electrical system that\u2019s not up to code \u2014 and an inspector might charge more to look at a 100-year-old home than they would for new construction. This is because the inspector will have to spend more time in older homes.<\/p>\n

Specialized inspections<\/a> will add to the overall cost. If you or your agent suspects the presence of any of these hazardous substances in the home, or possible issues with the sewer, think seriously about having these tests done. Having them remediated could cost thousands to tens of thousands of dollars.<\/p>\n