How much does a home inspection cost?

A home inspection provides a detailed report of the condition of a home and the related appliances, systems, and components. A home inspection can help identify problems, minimize long-term needs for upgrades and repairs, and is frequently incorporated into the sales process of a home.

Find local, recommended home inspectors on Kudzu.

Typical Home Inspection Costs

• Flat rate home inspection: A flat rate home inspection involves a simple home and systems check using basic equipment and typically costs in the range of $100 to $300.
  
  
• Thorough home inspection: Thorough home inspection includes a detailed report and photos and typically costs from $200 to $750, depending upon the number of rooms and number of items to be inspected. For large homes or estates, the cost can be $1,000 or more. You'll find that inspectors generally will have a minimum fee, and according to Independent Home Inspectors of America, the fee scale is about $100 per hour. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says a typical range runs between $300 -$500.

Low-End Estimate for Home Inspection Cost

For a flat rate home inspection: About $100-$300.

High-End Estimate for Home Inspection Cost

For an extremely detailed inspection of a large home or estate: About $1,000-$2,500.

What to Expect with a Home Inspection

A home inspection typically takes from 4 to 6 hours but can take longer for larger homes or those with more complicated structural elements.

Any Home Inspection Extras?

• It's strongly recommended that the homeowner be present during the home inspection process. This will ensure that any problems are clearly understood and any questions posed by the inspector can be readily addressed.
  
  
• If you're planning to purchase a home, there are several additional inspections that you may need to schedule, including a swimming pool inspection, an arborist/tree inspection, a septic system inspection, and a termite inspection.