What is a Home Inspection?
A real estate home inspection is a thorough, visual examination of the entire house with special interest on the major components. (roof, structure, exterior, foundation, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, fireplaces, insulation and ventilation) The average home inspection should take 2-3 hours for a professional inspection and will be documented in a report supplied to the client.
How much does a home inspection cost?
The cost of an inspection is based on several factors: (average $250-$350)
- Total square footage- Larger means more inspection time.
- Age- More than 30 years old means more inspection time.
- Crawlspace- More time is required for the inspection.
- Location- If the home is hours away, time is the concern.
When do I pay for the inspection?
Payment is expected at the time of the delivery of the inspection report.
Why should I pay for a Home Inspection?
A professional home inspector should have had special education, training, and experience for inspecting homes. Home inspection encompasses a vast technical field of knowledge that must cover all of the required building trades and an up-to-date knowledge of the local building codes. (Few people have the knowledge and experience to do a thorough job of inspecting a home.)
Secondly, if you were investing a large amount of money in any other investment, you would research it thoroughly before doing so, right? Well then, the home you are going to purchase is usually one of the largest investments of a lifetime for most people. It's only prudent to have it researched or inspected thoroughly. A home inspection costs less than 1/2 of 1% of the purchase price for most homes and is one of the best values in the real estate transaction. There could be problems or a need for repairs found during the inspection that could easily save you thousands of dollars now, or in the future. The professional home inspection is still a great value, just for the piece of mind.