How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $296 - $424
The average cost of a home inspection is $343, though you may spend between $187 and $510 depending on where you live and how large your home is.
The average cost of a home inspection is $343, with prices ranging from $296 to $424. A home inspection can give you peace of mind that your dream home will be hazard-free on move-in day and even save you money by asking the sellers to pay for any needed repairs before closing. Learn more about the cost of a home inspection and what impacts the price.
- Average
- $343
- Low end
- $187
- high end
- $510
Home Inspection Cost Factors
As well as the size of your home, several other factors can influence how much a home inspection costs. Part of your home inspection cost calculations will include where you live, the condition of the property, and what the inspection covers.
Home Location
The average cost of a home inspection depends on your location. For example, in Detroit, the average price is $300, whereas in New Jersey, it’s $430. Here are some examples of home inspection costs across the country.
| City | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| New York | $450 |
| Los Angeles | $330 |
| Chicago | $320 |
| Houston | $350 |
| Philadelphia | $450 |
| Miami | $300 |
| Atlanta | $320 |
Home Size
Many inspectors charge a fixed price for homes up to 2,000 square feet, but others may charge less for a condo or mobile home under 1,000 square feet. Some inspectors will have a flat fee for homes up to 2,000 square feet and charge an extra fee of around $25 for every additional 500 square feet above this. For a standard 2,000-square-foot home size, the average price is around $350.
| Home Size (sq. ft.) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Under 1,000 | $200–$250 |
| 1,000–1,500 | $225–$325 |
| 1,500–2,000 | $250–$375 |
| 2,000–2,500 | $275–$400 |
| 2,500–3,000 | $300–$500 |
Type of Home
While home inspection costs often correlate to the size of the home, the type of home can also affect the cost. A condo, mobile home, or part of a duplex may cost less than a single-family detached home. Inspecting a mobile home or prefabricated home may also require an inspector who specializes in these types of homes.
Age of the Home
It’ll come as no surprise that a home inspection can sometimes cost more for an older home. The inspector may need more time to check wiring and plumbing and make sure things are up to code.
If you’re buying a brand-new home, a home inspection is still recommended. It’s a good idea to get a new construction home inspection in case the builder overlooked any details during the build. You want to ensure all the work is up to code and that the property is structurally sound before going ahead with a purchase.
Inspector Experience
If you’re working with a realtor, chances are they have a trusted inspector to recommend. Although licensing requirements for home inspectors vary, they need to have local certification and valid insurance. Inspectors can have affiliations with professional associations, such as the American Society of Home Inspectors. Inspectors with more experience, certifications, affiliations, and other credentials may charge more.
Once you’ve established their qualifications, it’s good to check reviews of their work online and get quotes from others. Once you hire a certified home inspector, be available on-site during the inspection. It typically takes around two to four hours to complete an inspection, and they’ll provide you with a detailed report on completion.
Specialized Inspections
Based on the results outlined in the home inspection report, you may hire an expert to take a closer look at a specific part of the house. These extra checks typically require specialized certification or extra time. Specialized home inspections can cover all areas of the house, both outside and inside.
| Specialized Inspection | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Plumbing | $575 |
| Electrical | $340 |
| Foundation | $600 |
| Roof | $230 |
| HVAC System | $300 |
| Attic | $350 |
| Basement and Crawl Space | $200 |
| Pests | $125 |
| Mold | $660 |
| Lead Paint | $340 |
| Trees | $450 |
| Chimney | $450 |
| Asbestos | $490 |
| Radon | $250 |
What a Home Inspection Includes
Most home inspections cover a range of standard checks, but it is always a good idea to compare quotes from a few different local licensed home inspectors to make sure they’re thorough. Not every inspection will cover all the same elements.
Some major areas home inspections may cover include:
Structure and foundation: Checking the condition and structural integrity of the building.
Water damage: Looking for signs of potential water damage, like water stains or wet spots.
Roofing: Inspecting the condition of the roof, including loose shingles or decay.
Basement and attic inspection: Check these spaces for signs of structural damage, mold, or water damage.
Electrical system: Checking outlets, electrical panels, and other components to see if they are functional and up to code.
HVAC systems: Testing heating, cooling, and ventilation components for condition and effectiveness.
Plumbing: Testing aspects like water pressure in showers and the effectiveness of the water heater.
Floors, walls, and ceilings: Looking for visible signs of damage, like cracks or peeling paint.
Kitchens and bathrooms: Checking for leaky pipes, water pressure, and signs of mold.
Doors and windows: Ensuring they open and close easily and frames provide a tight seal.
Major appliances: Testing to make sure they work as they should.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro for a Home Inspection
Unless you or a family member are knowledgeable about the construction trade, it isn’t a good idea to conduct your own home inspection. A certified local home inspector will have lots of experience, know what to look for in your home, and be up to date with the local safety and regulation code requirements.
While it’s a good idea for you to be present for the home inspection, leave the inspection itself to the pros. If your mortgage company, insurance, or other entity requires an inspection, it’ll need to be performed by a certified professional. You can prepare for a home inspection by making sure your home is decluttered and that the inspector has easy access to areas that will be inspected.
How to Save Money on Home Inspection Costs
If you’re purchasing or selling a house, be sure to clarify whose responsibility it is to pay for the inspection. In most cases, the buyer is responsible, but find out ahead of time so you don’t waste money. Also, ask your realtor if they have any recommendations for an inspector—some inspectors may offer discounts for referrals.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed over 30,000 real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main purpose of a home inspection is to assess the overall condition of a home. It looks at major systems, like electrical and plumbing, and considers the long-term safety of the home. In contrast, a home appraisal sets out to estimate a home’s fair market value, often for lending purposes. At about $350, a home appraisal costs about the same as an average home inspection.
Yes, new home building inspections are just as important as inspecting older homes. They provide buyers with the chance to catch mistakes, like improper grading or faulty wiring, before they turn into problems. A new home inspection costs about the same as a standard inspection, typically between $280 and $400.
The unseen issues with a home are often the ones that turn out to be the most stressful. While inspections aren’t a legal requirement, they can highlight significant issues, such as damaged foundations, excessive mold, leaky basements, or problematic plumbing. These can cost thousands of dollars to repair, and the work can be invasive.
Knowing these things that fail a home inspection in advance allows you to decide if you want to proceed with the purchase. The seller may even cut back the sale price to help cover any renovation expenses or take care of them before closing.
As a home seller, you may want to conduct a pre-listing home inspection to help you finalize a fair asking price for your property. In most cases, though, the homebuyer pays for the inspection. This allows them to make an informed decision before proceeding with any purchase. The inspection is done before the deal is closed, and the buyer pays the inspector shortly after they submit their report.