A home inspection is the simplest and most effective way to safeguard your real estate investment. A typical home inspection process will cost the homeowner about $335 and will take approximately three to four hours to complete.
If your home is less than 1,000 square feet, you can have a home inspection for as little as $215. Single-family homes under 1,500 square feet typically cost around $330 for inspection, but larger multi-family homes can cost upwards of $500.
This guide includes:
- Average Costs
- Cost Estimator by Size
- Other Factors That Affect Cost
- Related Services
- Cost by Location
- FAQ
Average Home Inspection Costs in 2024
Most homeowners pay an average of $335 for a home inspection. This cost can be as low as $210 for smaller homes or as high as $500 or more for larger homes.
| National Average Cost | $335 |
| Typical Range | $240 – $435 |
| Extreme Low-End Cost | $215 |
| Extreme High-End Cost | $500 |
The cost of a house inspection for homeowners typically runs from $240 to $435. However, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) reports that the cost of a professional home inspection might reach several thousand dollars if major issues are discovered.
Home Inspection Cost Estimator by Home Size
Inspecting a standard single-family home costs about $335, while inspecting a condo or townhouse with less than 1,000 square feet will cost about $210. Pricing starts at $500 and goes up for homes over 4,000 square feet. Radon, mold, and asbestos tests might add an extra $200 to your bill.
| Home Size | Average Cost |
| Less than 1,000 square feet | $210 |
| 1,000 square feet | $260 |
| 1,500 square feet | $330 |
| 2,000 square feet | $390 |
| More than 2,000 square feet | $425 |
| More than 4,000 square feet | $500+ |
Other Factors That Affect Cost
Costs for home inspections vary greatly depending on variables such as the home’s size, age, value, and location. The professional home inspection cost will increase if additional tests are needed, such as for pests, radon, or water quality.
Types of Home Inspections
There can be additional, either obligatory or recommended, aspects of a home inspection. Carefully consider why you might want additional inspections of this sort added to the basic package.
Radon Inspection
Invisible and odorless radon gas can seep through foundation cracks and into homes when it escapes underground. As a naturally occurring yet radioactive substance, it readily evaporates in the open air but can cause major health problems, including lung cancer, if allowed to build up indoors. The average cost of a radon test is $430.
Mold Inspection
A mold inspection can soothe your mind if you think you have mold growing in your home. An expert mold inspector will check the property, pinpoint the source of the mold, and assess the extent of the infestation. A mold inspection by a certified home inspector typically ranges from $332 to $803 for a single-family home.
Chimney Inspection
Chimneys can be inspected for brickwork, mortar, liner, venting capabilities, and cap damage. A chimney inspection will cost around $435 and may be added to the standard inspection.
Asbestos Inspection
Asbestos is usually not a problem in modern dwellings. However, it may be present in the insulation of buildings built before the 1950s. An asbestos inspection typically costs homeowners $495 on average.
Lead Testing
Most water pipes in older homes were made of lead, and most interior house paints contained lead as a component before the 1970s. Even though efforts are being made to eliminate and replace these materials, there is a possibility that older homes might have lead paint buried beneath layers of latex paint.
There is also a chance that lead could be getting into the water supply through the pipes in older homes. On average, cost of a lead test is around $315, and the cost of lead removal is around $1,625.
Roof Inspection
Homeowners should have their roofs inspected at least once a year to discover problems before they become expensive. A professional roof inspection costs between $120 and $320 on average.
Termite Inspection
When termites invade your home, you must act quickly to exterminate them. If you suspect you might have termites, get an inspection sooner rather than later to prevent a more severe infestation. The average cost of a termite inspection is $82 to $260.
HVAC Inspection
HVAC inspection costs homeowners an average of $550 per year for multiple units, whereas it can cost an average of $60 annually for a single unit.
Age of Home
It will take more time to inspect an older house than a brand-new one. The certified home inspector will take some time to evaluate the structure of an older home and its systems for typical aging and damage. Homeowners with older properties might have to spend $500 or more for a thorough inspection.
Common Problems and Their Repair Costs
During a home inspection, an ASHI-certified inspector will look at the home’s structure, exterior, roof, electrical system, plumbing, HVAC system (internal), foundation, floors, windows, and ventilation. Repair charges vary substantially depending on the amount of damage the inspector finds.
See below some of the most common problems revealed by a home inspection and the cost to fix them.
Asbestos
Depending on the location of the asbestos fibers, removing the hazard may range from affordable to expensive. The average asbestos removal cost is $2,050, with certified professionals charging between $5 and $20 per square foot of material to be removed.
Termites
Homeowners must immediately eliminate the termites present in their homes, or the infestation could develop to devastating proportions. The average cost of termite treatment is $558 for homeowners.
Mold
Costs for mold removal typically range between $13.33 and $28.33 per square foot, with an average cost of $2,347 per home. Repair expenses might rise to $6,333 if mold did significant structural damage. The average cost of mold removal from crawl spaces, attics, or walls is $458.
Basement
It will cost homeowners an average of $26,250 to have a professional contractor bring their basement up to code so they may use it as an extra room. Of course, this depends on whether you plan to use the basement for storage or as a habitable space.
Plumbing
Any moist spots or other indications of water damage found during a home inspection will result in replacing the main sewer line, costing homeowners an average of $2,045. The average cost of hiring a certified plumber to care for a home’s standard plumbing issues is $275.
Electrical System
Century-old houses may be stunning aesthetically, but they can cost thousands to bring up to code in terms of electrical capacity due to outdated wiring. The average cost to upgrade an older home’s electrical system is $10,175 (although it can vary widely depending on the quality of the work done).
HVAC
An HVAC system can only function properly for a finite amount of time, so homeowners need to keep track of its age. Most HVAC system repairs will cost an average of $350 for materials and labor.
Think about the cost of a new heating and cooling system if you need one. Depending on the square footage of your home, you may expect to spend anywhere from $5,000 to $9,000 for HVAC installation.
Roof
It could cost homeowners a few dollars to repair a portion of the roof, but it could cost them several thousands of dollars to replace certain pieces, such as roof joists ruined by water. Typically, the price of roof repair is $767 on average, but it might vary depending on the nature of the needed repairs.
Windows
The typical cost for window replacement is $1,200. However, if the window frame has been damaged, you can spend $600 per window to replace it.
Foundation repairs
It is possible that homeowners may need to repair their home’s foundation. Signs of serious foundation damage include sagging floors and doors or windows that won’t open or close. Foundation repairs will cost homeowners an average of $5,415.
Related Services
Home buyers may want or need additional services, such as a home appraisal, at the same time they’re paying for a professional home inspection.
Home Appraisal
Appraisals are performed to find out how much a house is worth. The purpose of an appraisal is to determine if the asking price of a home purchase is consistent with its true market value.
Although appraising is specialized, many home inspection companies may employ home inspectors and appraisers and offer a discount if you use both services. On average, homebuyers pay an average cost of $400 for a home appraisal.
Roof Replacement
If a home inspection reveals that your roof is damaged beyond simple repairs, you may need a full roof replacement, which can cost you $300 to $800 per roofing square (100 square feet) for materials and professional installation.
Skylight Installation or Replacement
A home inspector may be able to tell you if your roof is suitable for skylight installation. Likewise, if you have an existing skylight with cracks or other problems, the inspection may reveal that you need to replace it. The typical cost to replace a skylight is $2,115. Add an additional cost of $400 to $3,725 for professional installation.
Home Inspection Cost by Location
Home inspection varies by geographical location. The national average US home inspection price is $335, but it varies widely depending on your state. States like California and New York have higher average costs up to $500, while other states have average costs closer to the low end of $210.
The only way to get an accurate estimate of how much home inspections cost in your area is to reach out to a local professional and get a quote. We recommend shopping around so you can compare prices and get the best deal.
FAQ
Home inspections aren’t required by law, but they are highly suggested. The vast majority of home buyers feel the inspection fee is money well spent. If there are too many issues with the property, the inspection may cause you to reconsider buying.
Homebuyers are typically responsible for covering the costs of the professional home inspection and appraisal. However, a seller may pay the inspection and appraisal cost to encourage a quick real estate transaction or close the deal.
An average home inspection will take between two and three hours. The time required varies with the extent of the inspection and the size of the property.
Getting certified and licensed to conduct home inspections can range from $1,000 to $3,500.
Within a day of the house inspection, you should receive the report detailing the inspector’s findings. You should ask the inspector to show you a sample report so that you may understand what will be checked in advance and be ready for the procedure.
If you want to prepare for your home inspection, create a checklist detailing everything you want the inspector to pay special attention to and any questions you want to ask. See this home inspection checklist guide for an example.
Final Thoughts
Having a home inspected is a good idea for anyone looking to buy a house, as it will help mitigate the risk of making a bad investment. The home inspection cost varies widely, depending on the inspector or company chosen. Therefore, prices will differ. Get in touch with a qualified inspector today to schedule a home inspection, which might cost anywhere from $240 to $435.
Main Photo by: Pexels
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