What does a Home Inspection typically cost?

Fees from one company to another will vary some depending on the experience and demand of the inspector. Inspectors who have years of experience and over a thousand inspections under their belt should be able to identify most defects in a home due to their increased knowledge and experience. The cost to make needed repairs may cost many times the small fee of a home inspection. Some inspectors give lower prices than average due to not having the experience or inspection jobs, they feel this will give them increased work. Many of these inspectors do not carry insurance. There are 2 types of insurance that inspectors should carry at the minimum. Property damage and Errors and omissions.

Questions that could be asked are-

How long have they been in business? How many inspections have they completed? Do they carry insurance and if so what type. Some carry property damage but no E&O. E&O is about 10 times more costly than Property damage liability. Call some local Banks, Attorneys even Realtors and ask them who they would hire if they were buying a home.

You are about to make one of the largest investments in your lifetime, don't short change yourself based on a few $ more for a more seasoned inspector.

Typical fees appear to range on both sides of $250 - $350 for a normal 3 bedroom home. The average home is owned about 7 years so that's from 10 to 14 cents a day for that period for an inspection.

If the property has a well and septic you might as well do that at the same time. It again varies $250 - $300 for the well, Water tests typically (Bacteria & Nitrates) with other tests are also available upon request and the septic system. Special licensing is required by banks for these inspections. If this is performed with the Home inspection you will get a lesson on how they function and what to watch for to keep them functioning as intended. Winter time with frozen ground may limit septic inspections due to not being able to access the tank. This is something that will be a job by job decision depending on conditions and availability of the tank covers.

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