A home inspection typically costs $200 to $400 in Ohio, but the cost depends on the size of the house, its location, and the rates of the hired inspector.
Buying a house is one of the biggest investments you can make, which is why it’s important to know exactly what you’re getting when you seal the deal. Home inspections are a great way for buyers to assess the risk of their investment, and professional home inspectors make it their job to give home buyers that peace of mind.
Jerry
, the home insurance
expert and super app, understands how complicated the home buying process can be, so we’ve created a helpful guide for home inspections in Ohio. In this article, we’ll cover what a home inspection is, what they cost, how to get one, and what to expect when you receive your home inspector’s report. Enjoy! What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is a comprehensive examination of a home’s exterior and interior features to make sure they’re up to code—from the foundation to the roof. Home inspections are performed by professional home inspectors, usually commissioned by home buyers to learn more about the house before they close the deal.
A home inspection includes an examination of all features of a house, from structural elements to HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. Other types of home inspections may look for mold, infestations, and other health hazards as well.
Once your home inspector has conducted their inspection, they’ll write a report of everything they found in the house that might require repairs. If they find anything, you can include the report in your offer to incentivize the seller to lower the asking price or pay for repairs.
MORE: How to make a counteroffer after a home inspection
How much does a home inspection cost in Ohio?
Typically, home inspections in Ohio tend to cost between $200 and $400, though it varies depending on the size of the house, its location, and the rates of the inspector hired to conduct the inspection. For example, a 1,000sq ft house in Cleveland may cost $200, while an inspection for a larger house could cost $400 or more.
Basically, the larger the house, the more ground the inspector has to cover in their inspection, meaning you’ll pay more.
How to get a home inspection in Ohio
Your first priority should be to get a quality home inspector that you trust. One way to do this is to ask your realtor for a recommendation through their network. You can also search through the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), professional home inspection organizations that list certified home inspectors by state.
Here are some certified home inspectors in Cleveland that receive good reviews:
General Home Inspection: Serving Cleavland and surrounding areas, Jay Brzezinski has over 20 years of experience inspecting homes. Call 216-554-7272 or contact them through their website
. Detailed Home Inspections: Detailed’s experienced team has been serving Northeast Ohio since 2003. Call 440-724-3198 or visit their website
for a quote. Inspection Tech Rocky River: Inspection Tech provides efficient, quality services with a personable touch. Call 440-465-0448 or contact them online
.
What is covered in a home inspection?
No two home inspections are the same. Some types of home inspections, such as mold and infestations, may require a specialist. Check with your home inspector on what types of inspections they offer you. According to the ASHI, a general home inspector’s report should cover:
Central air conditioning system
Roof, attic, and visible insulation
Walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and doors
Foundation, basement, and structural components
There are times when home inspectors have to make exceptions to this list. If parts of your house are deemed unsafe (bad flooring) or inaccessible (locked doors), the home inspector may have to omit part of their report and list their reasoning.
Once their report is complete, the home inspector may suggest follow-up inspections for specialized concerns. Inspections that require a specialist may include:
Radon and asbestos inspection
Lead-based paint inspection
Who pays for a home inspection?
Generally, the home inspection is paid for by the homebuyer to ensure their investment won’t come with any extra costs or issues. However, this can be negotiable with the seller. You can ask the seller to cover the inspection fees, and if it sweetens the deal for you, they might say yes!
There are also times when the seller might have already done a home inspection themselves to reassure potential buyers or assess their home value for their asking price. In that case, you’re good to go!
It is worth noting that sometimes in particularly hot markets, homebuyers may be incentivized to waive the home inspection.
In a seller’s market, when there are more buyers than there are available properties, a seller may not accept an offer that includes a home inspection when they’re confident they could sell to another buyer without one. Research trends in your area and ask your realtor if getting a home inspection is a sure thing in your market.
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