How long does a home inspection take?
If you’re looking into home inspections, that probably means you’re looking to buy (or sell) your home. First off, congratulations – buying a home is a pretty big step to take and we’re excited to be a part of your journey.
We know it can be easily overwhelming trying to learn everything at once, but we’re here to help as best we can. At Inspectify, we’re experts in all things home inspections. So here is some helpful information to help you understand the basics.
What Is a home inspection?
Let's begin by understanding what a home inspection is.
A home inspection is a visual assessment of the condition of a home. This assessment is conducted by a licensed home inspector who will walk you (the buyer) through the home to show you any issues the property has. The inspector will look at all of the structures (roof, foundation, cabinets, etc) as well as the home’s essential systems – including the electric, plumbing, and HVAC systems.
After the inspection, the home inspector provides a detailed report of the home's condition detailing any issues regarding its structural integrity, safety, and functionality. Typically these defects are categorized into three types: safety, repair, or monitor.
When using Inspectify, we’ll also provide you with free repair cost estimates for the entire inspection report completely free. This allows you to understand how much it will cost to fix up the home and renegotiate with the seller (based on the results of the report).
Why should I get an inspection?
So, why should you conduct a home inspection? The answer to this question depends on whether you are a home buyer or seller.
Home inspections are the buyer’s best form of protection against overpaying for a property. With such a big purchase, you’ll want to make sure there aren’t any major issues or expensive repairs before you move in. Getting an inspection helps you discover those issues, and request the seller fix them before you commit to purchasing the home.
For sellers, the idea is similar. By discovering and fixing expensive repairs before you list your home, you are able to list your home for the highest price. With the average homebuyer saving $14,000 on the final price of the home using their inspection report, you can save a pretty penny by addressing issues before the buyer ever sees your home.
According to a recent Nerdwallet survey, 10% of homeowners who purchased home in the last five years regret skipping the pre-purchase inspection. Another 13% of the recent buyers regret learning that their homes need major repairs after the purchase.
Even though home inspection isn't mandatory, it is highly recommended. By ensuring both parties (buyers and sellers) have complete information about the home, you can negotiate the final cost with full transparency.
How Long Does a Home Inspection Take?
Typically, a standard home inspection takes 2-3 hours. This varies depending on the size of the property, age, accessibility, and scope of the inspection.
The inspection may take longer if you request additional services such as an energy audit, radon test, and lead-based paint testing.
Often a buyer has 7-14 days after the purchase agreement or sales contract has been accepted to conduct the inspection.
You should expect to receive your inspection report within 24 hours of the inspection.
How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost?
A professional home inspection can cost between $200 to $500, with the average cost being about $340. The inspection cost depends on various factors such as:
- Size of the home
- Location
- Age of the home
- Additional inspections
- Inspector's experience
Typically, the home size is the primary determinant for home inspection fees. Inspectors charge inspection fees based on the property's square footage because it determines the scope of work and the time needed to complete the task.
Here, you can pay as little as $200 for a property less than 1,000 square feet, such as a condo or a tiny home. For a single-family home resting on an average of 1,500 square feet, you can pay $300 and $400. And for a large multifamily home built on more than 2,000 square feet piece of land, the inspection cost can exceed $500.
Most inspectors charge per hour, so depending on how far they have to drive, you may have to pay an additional fee. You can also expect to pay more if you require any additional services.
How Do You Find a Good Inspector?
A home inspection is only as good as the inspector you chose. So how do you make sure you’re getting someone with experience and expertise? That’s where we come in.
We’ve built a nationwide network of highly qualified inspectors, available to you in just a few clicks.
At Inspectify we have:
- A user-friendly platform that allows you to compare inspectors based on reviews, price, and availability.
- An instant booking process, allowing you to schedule an inspection in just a few minutes
- A dedicated customers success team who handles the logistics – letting you rest easy while we handle the rest.
Conclusion
Whether you're a home buyer or seller, a home inspection is a vital part of the home buying process. It helps buyers make sound purchase decisions and guides sellers in setting the right price based on the property's condition.
If possible, it's important for you to accompany the professional inspector during the assessment process to ask any burning questions related to the condition of the property and the repairs and maintenance needed.
We hope you found this information useful and wish you the best of luck in your home buying or selling journey. If you have any unanswered questions, feel free to contact us!