The average cost of a home inspection is $340, with costs ranging from $200 to $500.
Home Inspection Cost
What Is a Home Inspection?
A home inspection is a thorough examination of the condition of a home. With a systematic approach, a professional home inspector will evaluate the physical condition of a residential property to determine its overall safety, functionality and structural integrity.
Professional home inspectors check HVAC, electrical and plumbing components as well as windows, doors and insulation. Once they have examined a home to look for potential issues, the professional will provide a detailed report on the property’s condition. In a home buying scenario, they will hand this report over to the buyer to ensure they know the status of the house before its sale.
If you’re buying a home, an inspection is the best way to protect your real estate investment.
Home Inspection Cost Per Square Foot
Home size is a significant factor that determines home inspection costs. Professional inspectors often charge based on the square footage of the home because it largely determines the scope of the work and the length of time they will spend on the inspection.
Home inspections cost as little as $200 for an area of less than 1,000 square feet (a tiny home or condo, for example). Costs increase as home size increases, with an inspection of an average 1,500-square-foot single family home costing between $300 and $400 and a larger multi-family home inspection costing upwards of $500.
New Construction Home Inspection Cost
It may seem counterintuitive, but you should purchase a home inspection even if the home you’re looking to buy is brand new. It’s important to know the home is structurally sound before you buy. And if you find an issue, the home builders have resources necessary to make requested repairs and are more likely to complete them than a homeowner.
A pre-drywall inspection that covers a walkthrough before the builders install drywall will cost between $100 and $300. A home inspection after the home is completed costs $400 on average.
What is Included in the Cost of a Home Inspection?
Each home inspector focuses on different things, so do your research ahead of time to find out what they cover. To cover your bases, find an inspector who will examine several components, including:
- Yard
- Exterior structures
- Plumbing
- Appliances
- Roof
- Attic
- Foundation
- Electrical system
- HVAC system
- Windows
- Doors
- Walls
Your inspector will provide you with a report detailing any issues they found during the inspection along with photos. You may choose to repair these after you purchase the home or negotiate for the seller to complete them before the sale.
How to Hire a Home Inspector
Ask friends and family members for home inspector recommendations. You can also look through online databases to find reputable home inspectors who have the proper education and experience (preferably with lots of positive reviews, too). Once you find one, give them a call for specific pricing and availability.
Ask lots of questions during the hiring process and make sure you understand what their inspection covers and how much experience they have. Ensure that the inspector is knowledgeable of home construction, especially current building codes. Keep in mind that hiring an inspector is an investment and could save you time and money on future home improvement costs.
Common Problems Found in a Home Inspection
Home inspections often reveal problems that even the most experienced homeowners may miss. This allows buyers to negotiate the price of a home before the sale is completed, and allows sellers to address issues before putting their home on the market.
Problems found in home inspections run the gamut, but commonly include mold and outdated electrical systems. The costs to repair these issues vary greatly depending on the extent of the damage.
