A professional home inspection can prevent you from making a big mistake.
The home inspection is one of the most important steps in purchasing a home, yet many buyers let it slide, bring in a handy relative or do the inspection on their own because they want to avoid the out-of-pocket expense. If you compare the cost of a few hundred dollars for a home inspection by a professional who might uncover serious problems, versus the expense of buying a property with costly repair issues, the relatively small expense of the inspection seems trivial.
Cost
An article entitled "Ten Important Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector" provided by HUD estimates the cost of a home inspection in the range of $300 to $500, as of 2011. Fees can vary dramatically, depending on the part of the country and the size and the age of the house. Home inspection firms range from local, one-person inspection operations to nationwide companies with multiple offices in large cities. Some firms charge a flat rate and others charge based on the square footage and age of the house.
Compare Apples to Apples
When comparing the cost of a basic home inspection, be sure to consider what services the inspector will be perform, what guarantees or warranties the inspector offers and how the inspector will report his findings to you. A basic inspection should include the foundation, the basic structure, roof, exterior surfaces, heating systems, air conditioning, energy conservation, insulation, attic, basement, fireplace, ventilation, bathrooms, garage, water heater, chimney, basic connections to sewer or septic systems, basic connections to public water or wells, crawlspaces, plumbing, smoke detectors, windows, doors, interior walls, ceilings and floors, stairs and handrails, woodstoves, electrical system, kitchen and the grounds and drainage.
Inspection and Report
Plan on attending the inspection, asking questions and getting basic explanations for any issues that arise. This is an excellent time to become acquainted with the property and learn the good, the bad and the ugly from a professional on small or major conditions with the house. Payment will be expected prior to the inspection and afterward you will be given a printed inspection report that details everything the inspector sees, as well as a guideline for the company's general limitations, exclusions and warranties, if any.
Additional Costs
The average home inspection should be sufficient for the average city home, but very old homes or high-priced houses with elaborate systems and features may require additional inspection for additional fees. Scoping a sewer line with a camera, for instance, starts around $100 and goes up, inspecting outbuildings starts at $25, inspecting for termites starts around $50, and prices vary for inspecting wells, septic tanks, swimming pools, spas and hot tubs. Some of these inspections may be beyond the capabilities of a general home inspector.
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