Do you need to get a home inspection done? Are you curious about what the cost will be of a home inspection? It’s important to know what you will need to pay, so you can properly set your budget.
The cost of your home inspection will depend on what you get and which home inspector you hire. Some inspectors charge more than others, but they also may have more experience or provide more in the report. Let’s look at what the cost of a home inspection will be and what you will likely get.
The Cost of a Basic Home Inspection
Before we get into some of the specialty inspections and what they cost, it’s a good idea to start with the cost of a basic home inspection. This type of home inspection will likely include:
- Foundation and Structure
- Plumbing Systems
- Electrical Systems
- Attic
- Roof
- Basement
- Crawl Spaces
- Drainage and Gutters
- Porch or Deck
- Floor, Ceiling, and Walls
- Property and Site
Often, your inspector will inspect these areas and operate systems, such as the HVAC and built-in appliances.
The cost of this type of basic inspection will typically range from $300 to $800, depending on the square footage of the home.
Cost of Specialty Home Inspections
In some cases, you might need additional specialty home inspections that come at an additional cost. Some of the common options you might want to consider include:
- Termite inspection – About $100 to $300
- Septic System inspection – About $175 to 300
- Radon inspection – About $450 to $750
- Infrared scans to detect moisture – About $150 to $300
- Sewer Lateral – About $350
- Propane inspection – About $50
You may also need to get a rodent or pest inspection from a pest control vendor. This type of inspection is often provided for free by a pest control company.
Should You Get Additional Inspections Done?
You might be looking to pinch a few pennies by only having the bare minimum home inspection done. However, this could be a huge mistake. The cost of certain inspections might be minimal compared to the money you could save by avoiding big issues.
For example, if you don’t have a septic inspection done and it turns out this system needs replacing, you could pay up to $7,000 or more for this replacement. Even if you simply have a rodent or termite problem, it could cost you thousands of dollars to deal with this issue.
Having specialty home inspections done can help you negotiate a better deal. You might also find an issue that causes you to walk away from the deal. Get the most of out your home inspection by carefully considering what systems you want your inspector to look at.
Who Will Pay for the Home Inspection?
The cost of the home inspection will most likely be covered by the homebuyer. However, if you are the seller and you want to get an inspection done before you list your home for sale, the cost will be covered by you.
In some cases, as a homebuyer, you can negotiate to have the seller cover the cost of the inspection. This may be the case when you’re dealing with a motivated seller that wants to get a deal done fast. They may not cover it directly but may provide a seller’s concession or a buyer commission rebate to reimburse you for the cost.
It’s best if you are the homebuyer, to budget for the cost of the home inspection, to maximize the chance you live in a safe home.
META: Before you get a home inspection done, you should prepare for the cost. Here’s a breakdown of the cost of a home inspection, including specialty inspections.