You’ve decided to sell your Ohio home and have found some potential buyers. Everything is looking up, but before the excitement of finding a new home settles in, you realize there’s one more hurdle to overcome. You have to get a home inspection.
Today, home buyers request a home inspection to get an unbiased and professional opinion of the condition of the home before committing to a sale. Even though your property looks good at a glance, buyers will still ask for an inspection report before buying.
You’ve already spent a lot of money staging the property, hiring an agent, and working out the details of the sale. The last thing you need is an additional expense to your account. Sadly, an inspection is necessary.
Thus, for you to adequately prepare, you need to understand the cost of a home inspection in Ohio. What exactly do you pay for? Here’s a detailed breakdown of home inspection costs in Ohio.
Cost of A Home Inspection in Ohio
The cost of getting a home inspection varies from state to state. However, the numbers aren’t so far apart. For example, you’ll pay around $200 for the inspection of a home that’s 1,000 sq ft in Cleveland. For larger homes, the numbers can go as high as $400 or more.
The cost is typically the same across other cities such as Ashtabula, Geneva, Madison, and Willoughby. Thus, on the surface, the amount you pay depends on the square footage of your property. If your home is large, expect to pay a little more as compared to another homeowner with a small home.
What are You Paying For? Breaking Down the Costs
When a home inspector presents an inspection quote, you may wonder, “What exactly am I paying for?”
As aforementioned, the size of your property is a primary determinant of the cost of a home inspection. However, this isn’t the only factor. Below is a breakdown of the key factors that inform the overall cost of inspecting a home:
Design Complexities of the Property
Homes have different designs, with some bearing simple designs while others have intricate ones comprising of attics, crawl spaces, and a complex foundation.
Your property’s design can ultimately determine the cost of an inspection. A home with a simple design comprising of a slab foundation with no crawl spaces will be easier to inspect as compared to one with crawl spaces and a raised foundation.
The inspector has to thoroughly inspect these spaces to check for structural weaknesses, water damage, and bug infestations. This may require the use of specialized equipment which will cost more in the end.
For example, inspectors may typically charge around $350 for a standard 2,000 sq ft house. However, if there are crawl spaces and an attic, they may include a surcharge for them. The amount may be between $50 to $100 depending on the inspector.
Age of the Home
Newer homes with few renovations and repairs are typically easy and fast to inspect. This is because the property is still in excellent conditions and there haven’t been any modifications yet.
As long as your construction contractor delivered quality work, there won’t be much for the inspector to look for. As a result, you’ll end up paying within the state average of $200 to $400.
An older home with lots of renovations and previous incidences of structural damages or pest infestations may cost more to inspect. This is because the inspector may have to keenly and thoroughly assess any renovations to ensure they are up to code.
The extra time and resources spent on the procedure will set you back an extra $100 or more on top of the average home inspection cost in Ohio.
General vs. Specialized Home Inspection
What kind of inspection should you conduct for your home? Should you have a general or specialized inspection?
-
General Inspection
A general inspection is a surface analysis of the state of the property. A general inspector conducts the inspection and checks the following areas of your home:
- The entire structure
- Roofing system
- HVAC system
- Insulation
- Plumbing and electrical
- Interior and exterior structures
After the inspection, the inspector issues a detailed report where they indicate the condition of the home. They also recommend repairs and improvements to bring the house up to the required standards. These inspections typically cost around $200 to $400.
-
Specialized Inspection
On the other hand, a specialized inspection looks at specific areas of the property. Examples of specialized inspections include the following:
- Termite and pest inspection
- Mold inspection
- Specialized roofing and asbestos inspections
- Foundation and structural inspections
- Sewer line and sewer inspections
An expert in the area conducts each specialized inspection, and you will be charged differently. For example, a roof inspection may cost you between $200 and $700 while a termite and pest inspection will set you back another $100.
When selling a home, it is recommended that you carry out the general inspection. It is affordable and takes a shorter time as compared to the specialized ones which are costly and lengthy.
Should they wish to do so, the buyer can order a specialized inspection to get a detailed, expert opinion of the state of the property before committing to the purchase.
Inspector Experience
Inspector experience is a crucial factor in determining the cost of a home inspection. New players in the industry may charge less as compared to experienced inspectors who have assessed homes for years.
Note that when hiring an inspector, their experience is crucial. An expert knows where to look. They have the required tools to enhance efficiency and save time.
Note that in 2019, Ohio passed a law that requires inspectors to get licenses. Therefore, take note of this before hiring one to assess your home.
How Much Should You Pay for a Home Inspection
As you’ve seen, a home inspection can set you back several hundred dollars. There are measures you can take to ensure you get quality inspections at affordable costs.
- Scout for affordable services. Get a few no-obligation quotes from different companies and compare.
- Pay for a general inspection. Don’t sweat it trying to inspect your home for mold, termites, sewer bacteria, and more.
- Negotiate for a discount. Don’t be afraid of asking for a discount. You can make decent savings if you push for a price reduction.
Finally, do the inspection early. Don’t wait for the last minute rush as this may cause you to settle with any inspector you find, and the result will be a high price or low-quality services.
Ready for a Home Inspection?
Now that you know the cost of a home inspection, it’s time to get one. Conduct due diligence and work with a reputable, licensed, and experienced inspector.
Schedule a home inspection with us and enjoy quality services at affordable pricing.