Why a home inspection is not expensive
This is a reblogged post from Russell ray, an expereinced Home Inspector from San Diego. The prices may be slightly different here in Bucks County, but Russ's advise is spot on. Hiring a Home Inspector is not expensive, when you consider the cost to hire contractors to look at every system. A good great home inspector will point you to qualified professionals as needed.
Why a home inspection is not expensiveAll things considered, a home inspection is not expensive at all, especially when we consider the alternative. Let's say that instead of hiring a generalist home inspector, one were to hire experts from other industries to inspect the components with which they are expert.
Using San Diego prices for a single-family residence with 1,750 square feet, 3 br/2 ba, a 2-car garage, and a fireplace, in average condition, built in 1980, in an average neighborhood, and selling for an average $400,000. Something like this:
Here are the costs:
- Russel Ray, home insepctor - $399
Other individual service professionals checking what Russel Ray, home inspector, checks:
- electrician (panel, outlets, lights) - $150
- plumber (disposal; water heater; sinks; bathtubs; showers; water, sewer, and gas lines) - $150
- roofing contractor - $175
- chimney sweep - $75
- landscaper - $50
- soils engineer/geologist - $500
- structural engineer - $500
- door/window installer - $75
- garage door installer - $50
- kitchen appliances installation/repair professional - $50
- heating and cooling technician - $125
- drywaller - $50
- exterior siding professional (brick/stucco/wood) - $100
Total for other professionals: $2,050
Those 13 experts, looking at only one system or component for which they are responsible, are highly likely to find more than lowly Russel Ray, home inspector, does. What generally happens, though, is that for $499, Russel Ray, home inspector, says you need a plumber to come out and evaluate the poor drainage that seems to be localized to the master bathroom sinks, shower, and bathtub; and an electrician to replace the Zinsco electric panel.
Both of those service professionals will come out and check everything for $150. If they do repairs on problems they find, they sometimes will waive the inspection charge. Let's say that the repairs come to a total of $2,000, which the seller agreed to pay for since those were the only two problems.
If Russel Ray, home inspector, gets there first and can tell the plumber and electrician where the problems are, then the plumber and electrician only need to provide a cost for the repairs.
Here is a comparison of what happens:
- for a total of $399 to Russel Ray, home inspector, the Client saved $2,050 in inspection fees to other professionals and another $2,000 in repairs;
- for a total of $2,050 to the other service professionals, the Client saved $2,000 in repairs.
Which would you prefer?
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If you need a home inspection to make your day,
make sure it's one by Russel Ray!Try Russel Ray Photos
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