What a home inspection costs
A general home inspection averages about $340 nationally, and most fall between $300 and $425. Price follows the size of the home: a small condo can be near $250, and a 3,000-square-foot house $400 to $500. Older homes and homes with crawl spaces take longer and cost a little more.
Add-on inspections
A general inspection is a visual check. It doesn’t look inside the sewer line, test the air or open walls. The common extras:
- Radon test ($125 to $250): worth it for almost any home that touches the ground.
- Sewer line camera ($150 to $400): strongly worth it for homes built before about 1980 or with big trees nearby. Replacing a failed line often costs $5,000 or more.
- Termite inspection ($75 to $150): sometimes required by the lender.
- Septic ($250 to $600) and well ($150 to $450): for homes not on city services.
- Mold, pool, chimney: when the home has the feature or shows signs of a problem.
Who pays, and when
The buyer pays, directly to the inspector, usually at the inspection. It isn’t part of closing costs and you don’t get it back if you walk away. That’s still cheap compared with what an inspection can save you; see what to expect from a home inspection.
After the report
Use the findings to ask for repairs, a credit or a lower price. Repair credit vs. price reduction shows which is worth more to you.
Questions buyers ask
How much does a home inspection cost?
About $340 on average, with most between $300 and $425. Larger and older homes cost more, and add-ons such as radon, sewer and termite inspections are extra.
Who pays for the home inspection?
The buyer, directly to the inspector at the time of the inspection. It’s paid whether or not you end up buying the home.
Is a sewer scope worth it?
For older homes, usually yes. It costs $150 to $400, and replacing a damaged sewer line can cost many thousands of dollars that a general inspection wouldn’t catch.