Home Inspection Cost Pays Off
Home inspection cost pays off immediately and in the long term, according to contractors, homeowners and other real estate professionals.
An adequate house inspection will assure you that the house you are buying does not have any major defect, thereby saving you from costly repairs and other losses.
If you look at typical house inspection costs, you will find out that they cost only a few hundred dollars while major repairs will cost you several thousand dollars.
In many states, the standard house inspection fee ranges from $300 to $400, depending on the area, age, type and location of the house and the number of hours needed to conduct the inspection. For additional inspections, such as inspection for radon, energy audit, septic system check, pest inspection, water purity evaluation or the use of an infrared camera scanner, your standard inspection fee will increase by $95 to $150.
More specialized inspections such as comprehensive lead testing in all areas of the house including water, soil and dust will cost around $325.
To compare inspection costs, you can look at the web sites of house inspectors that serve your community and that offer discounts for optional inspection. Just make sure that the inspector you hire is certified by the state and by a reputable national home inspection association and backed up by years of inspection. Do not base your selection solely on home inspection cost or on the attractiveness of the inspector’s web site.
If you want a more thorough inspection, look for an inspector that previously worked or is currently working in home construction. Contractors know which parts or systems of the house usually cause problems.
There are also inspection web sites now that provide free quotes, but you need to provide detailed information about your house so they can make estimates.
Before actual inspection, make sure that you and the inspector are clear about what types of inspections will be conducted, total fees, the types of reports to be given to you, the time you are going to receive the reports and what happens if there is a need for reinspection.
Ask also if the inspector issues a guarantee in case his omission leads to costly repairs. Several house inspection organizations reimburse homeowners if their inspectors fail to check systems or parts that lead to repairs within the guarantee period.
All in all, home inspection cost is actually an investment in the home buying process by any individual dreaming to be a homeowner. The inspection process ensures that the home buyer’s investment is not lost in a defective property.
