How much do home inspectors cost?
Based on real quotes from businesses in United States.
$300
TYPICAL
$450
Yelp calculates estimated costs by gathering and analyzing real quotes provided to consumers by businesses on Yelp. Actual costs may vary.
Key takeaways
A good home inspection helps buyers avoid future expenses
The size, age, and location of the house determine home inspection costs
Thorough detection of termites, asbestos, and radon may cost extra
A home purchase is often the biggest investment that homeowners or first-time home buyers make, and a full checkup by a professional home inspector is a critical part of that process. Home inspectors minimize ugly surprises by discovering and reporting on hidden issues and the house’s general condition. Relying on a just walk-through and home appraisal, without a thorough home inspection, would leave open the possibility of buying a money pit filled with expensive hidden problems.
During the inspection process, a home inspector checks electrical systems, plumbing, appliances, water heaters, and HVAC systems like air conditioning. They walk through the attic and crawlspace, looking for moisture damage, dry rot, and evidence of termites, asbestos, or radon. And they inspect the physical condition of the house, including roofing, gutters, siding, foundations, and more. Then they compile all of this information in a thorough report.
During a real estate transaction, the buyer’s real estate agent will usually recommend—and lenders may require—an “inspection contingency” as part of the offer. This means that the purchase price depends on a professional home inspection report.
The cost of a home inspection service is the responsibility of the home buyers, although a realtor will often include inspection fees in closing costs. When choosing a professional home inspection service in your area, look for certified home inspectors who are members of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).
In this guide, you’ll learn about the costs of hiring a home inspector.
Learn more: Your home inspection checklist: Do’s and don’ts for buyers.
Total home inspector costs
The average cost of any home inspection is $260–575. If you’re considering buying a 2,000-square-foot, single-family home, the typical inspection cost would be $325–480.
If a home inspector suspects the existence of a dangerous building material or substance, additional inspections or tests are sometimes necessary. These can add considerably to the cost. Some examples include:
Mold inspection: $280–950
Radon testing: $250–1,100
Asbestos inspection: $230–850
Foundation inspection: $300–725
Cost factors
These issues can also affect the cost of home inspection.
Region. Home inspection prices can vary in different areas because of local labor rates, along with the typical type and value of homes being inspected. An average home inspection in New York might cost $425, while an inspection in rural Michigan might cost $280. A large, upscale home in Massachusetts could cost $600+.
Size and age of home. The bigger (in square footage) and more complicated a house is, the more the inspection will cost. A large house with multiple HVAC systems (heating and air conditioning), complex electrical systems, and rooftop solar panels might take considerably more effort by an inspector than a simple 3-bedroom family home. Similarly, an older home that’s in poor condition, with failing equipment and aging systems, may require more time to inspect than a new home.
Range of services. The more thorough the inspection, the more work involved and higher the cost.
How to save money
Try these ideas to save on home inspection costs:
Get multiple bids. Because time and labor are the primary factors in the cost of inspecting homes, quotes from different inspectors can vary significantly. But price isn’t the only factor you should consider—ask for sample reports so you know what services the inspector provides.
Don’t have inspectors do the repair work. A home inspector should be entirely unbiased, so don’t hire one who offers to make repairs—this is a conflict of interest that could be costly and is illegal in many states. Similarly, think twice about hiring a home inspector who has a long-standing relationship with the real estate agent—if they aren’t ethical, they could benefit from underreporting problems.
Use the inspection report to your advantage. Depending on the findings in the home inspection report, home buyers can withdraw their offer, renegotiate the price, or request that the home sellers fix certain issues.
FAQS
How much does a home inspection cost?
A home inspector will typically charge $260–575, depending in part on the home’s size and local labor rates. For a 2,000-square-foot home, a standard inspection averages $325–480.
Who pays for an inspection when buying a home?
The buyer usually foots the bill for this service. But it’s well worth it—a thorough inspection by a trained pro can decrease the likelihood of dealing with expensive problems later.
Does a home inspection report cover everything?
A home inspection service will check and report on the condition of a house and all of its systems, but you’ll usually pay extra for thorough specialty inspections that search for problems like asbestos, radon, termites, or mold.
Find a professional home inspection service in your area.
How are Yelp’s cost estimates calculated?
Every year, millions of consumers request quotes on Yelp from top-rated local professionals. We combine these real-life project quotes with data from the millions of people who interact with businesses on Yelp today. We use our years of expertise to create handy local cost guides that you can trust. Get accurate estimates on projects in your area, from roofing to moving.
How are Yelp’s cost estimates calculated?
Every year, millions of consumers request quotes on Yelp from top-rated local professionals. We combine these real-life project quotes with data from the millions of people who interact with businesses on Yelp today. We use our years of expertise to create handy local cost guides that you can trust. Get accurate estimates on projects in your area, from roofing to moving.
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