Frequently Asked Questions

A home inspection identifies defects in the home and highlights those that could be especially expensive to remedy or affect health and safety…the issues that could affect a decision to purchase the home. Homebuyers and sellers both benefit from a quality inspection.  Homeowners also find a “home maintenance” inspection beneficial to help identify problem areas and prioritize maintenance of the residence.

The 2022 national average fee for a home inspection is $468. This varies by region, with the northeast seeing the highest fees. Additional services such as Radon Gas testing are usually extra. 

Inspection fees are typically based on the size and age of the home as well as other factors.  The average home is about 2300 square feet and between 20 and 30 years old.

The Integra Inspection Services Fees Page has some additional information.

To reduce risk. Every home has defects and every defect can be repaired corrected, for a price.  That price involves not just money but time and inconvenience.  A home inspection performed by a licensed and insured professional reduces your risk by identifying major defects in the home before you take ownership of the property.  Armed with this knowledge, you can make a rational decision whether to proceed and what costs, if any, await you down the road.  The inspection can also identify potentially hazardous conditions that can affect your health or safety.  

A residential inspection varies widely in duration based on the  number of inspectors performing the inspection and the home’s size, complexity, and number of defects.  A typical inspection of an average (2200 square feet) home takes between 2 and 3 hours for a single inspector. It’s not unusual for a quality inspector to need 4 to 7 hours, or more, for very large homes.  Some historic homes require an entire day. While it’s possible to properly inspect a small new-construction home in under 2 hours, a comprehensive inspection should generally take at least 2 or more hours unless a team of inspectors is used.  

Inspection durations are higher in homes with tall or complex roofs, crawlspaces, multiple HVAC systems, multiple kitchens, and so on.

The 2022 national average fee for a home inspection is $468. This varies by region, with the northeast seeing the highest fees. Additional services such as Radon Gas testing are usually extra. 

Inspection fees are typically based on the size and age of the home as well as other factors.  The average home is about 2300 square feet and between 20 and 30 years old.

The Integra Inspection Services Fees Page has some additional information.

First and foremost, defects affecting health or safety should be addressed.  Issues such as leaking or improper furnace exhaust, missing smoke alarms, or structural problems with a deck should be addressed immediately.

Secondarily, any water leakage such as a roof or plumbing leak should be corrected as soon as is feasible, in order to minimize damage.

After the above has been corrected, most other defects can be addressed according to budget, time, and complexity.  Cosmetic defects rank at the bottom of the priority list.

No. Typically, the real estate sales contract specifies what kind of defects the seller is responsible for correcting. These are usually defined as “major” items affecting health, safety, or habitability of the home.  Examples a major items include damaged or worn-out roof covering, inoperable HVAC systems, and damaged/failed foundations.  

There are grey areas as to what could be considered a “major” defect and these, along with all other defects, would be subject to some level of negotiation between buyer and seller. 

No, unless the home is used for business purposes such as a rental property.  Home inspection fees are part of closing costs, along with appraisal fees, title search, and so on.  These do increase the cost basis of home, which can matter when the home is eventually sold. 

1. Do your own research.  A buyer’s real estate agent typically provides a list of inspectors they recommend. These inspectors aren’t necessarily the best but the ones the agent personally prefers. Overly scrupulous or “nitpitcky” inspectors create the most problems for agents and these don’t get many referrals from agents.  Although many agents are honest and have your best interest at heart, this referral system poses an inherent conflict of interest.
2. Read reviews on Google, Yelp, the BBB, and other sources.  An occasional bad review is inevitable but multiples could indicate a problem.  Inspectors with very few reviews could indicate a new or inexperienced inspector, or one that gets most of their business through agent referrals.
   
3. Do they have the proper credentials?  Many states require home inspectors to be licensed.
4. Are they insured and/or bonded?  
5. How long have they been inspecting?  How many inspections have they performed?  An inspector that’s been in business for 3 to 5 years and has completed at least 1000 inspections often brings significantly more real-world experience and knowledge to the table than someone just starting out. 
6. What inspection organizations do they belong to?  Membership in a trade organization such as InterNACHI or ASHI can indicate a greater commitment and dedication to one’s trade.  
7. What is their fee?  Often, the better and more experienced inspectors charge higher fees.  They’re worth it and they know it.
8. How do they inspect roofs, attics, and crawlspaces?  The best inspectors walk roofs (when safety permits it) and enter as much of the attic and crawlspace as physically possible. 
9. What does their report look like?  Is it well-written, easily understood, and concise?  The report should clearly and concisely identify defects, their likely impact, and what to do about them.