A 4-point inspection costs between $50 and $150 on average. You might need to have a 4-point inspection done to get homeowners insurance coverage for a home more than 30 years old.

Buying a home can be exciting, but getting a homeowners insurance policy can get a little tricky, especially if your provider wants a 4-point inspection done before they’ll agree to give you coverage. These inspections assess the condition of your home to see how risky it will be to cover it under an insurance policy.

Fortunately, 4-point inspections aren’t very expensive and they can actually catch potential issues before they become expensive problems. Here to walk you through the cost of a 4-point inspection is

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How much does a 4-point inspection cost?

On average, 4-point inspections cost between $50 and $150. The actual cost of the inspection is based on a few factors:

Home value: Inspectors may charge depending on the size of your home with smaller homes being less expensive to inspect than larger ones.

Location: Inspection costs can vary depending on what state you’re located in.

Company: Different insurance companies will charge different rates for inspections. It may be worth comparing costs between companies to find the best value.

Depending on the findings of the inspection, you might have to repair or replace systems in your home before an insurance company will let you purchase coverage:

Part of inspection	Description	Average cost
HVAC	Inspects the home’s central heating and air system for damage or leaks. If your system is over 20 years old you may have to replace it.	$100-$600 repair; $1,000-$7,000 replace
Electrical	Inspects wiring systems for faulty wiring or older materials that present a fire hazard.	$2.65/square foot for rewiring
Plumbing	Inspectors examine pipes for damage or materials prone to bursting or leakage.	$1,500 and up to re-pipe a house
Roofing	Inspectors will look at the age and overall condition of your roof to determine if it needs repairs or replacing.	$5,000 on average to replace roof

While a 4-point inspection may seem like an unnecessary hurdle to getting homeowners insurance, it can reveal issues before they become serious allowing you to make necessary repairs before a critical system in your home fails.

MORE:

How to prepare for a home inspection

Do I need a 4-point inspection?

Typically, insurance companies utilize 4-point inspections when someone wants to insure a home that is over 20-30 years old. Once a house reaches a certain age, several systems within the home are at risk of failure. Providers want to make sure the house they insure won’t cost them a fortune to cover.

A 4-point inspection is different from a full home inspection—a full home inspection is more thorough and evaluates more than just the four critical home systems that a 4-point inspection focuses on.

If you’re buying a home for the first time, a full inspection will be required. A 4-point inspection usually happens when you already own a home and are trying to update or renew your homeowners insurance policy.

Home buyers can request a 4-point inspection if they’re looking to buy an older home—that way they can get a good idea of the health of the major systems of the home.

MORE:When to walk away after a home inspection

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How do I get a 4-point inspection?

If your insurance company is requiring an inspection to upgrade or renew your policy, it’s likely they’ll choose an inspector and send them to the property.

If your insurance company doesn’t choose an inspector, most home inspection companies can perform 4-point inspections upon request. Just make sure to let them know you only want the four areas of your home inspected for insurance purposes so you don’t get a full inspection by mistake.

If you’re currently in the process of buying a home and you want a 4-point inspection done, your real estate agent can make recommendations on inspectors in your area.

MORE:

Mortgage insurance vs. homeowners insurance: what you need to know

How to prepare for a 4-point inspection

Since inspectors are looking for clear health and safety risks involving your HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and roofing systems, the best way to prepare for a 4-point inspection is to note any issues with those systems beforehand.

Here are some things to look for before an inspection takes place:

The HVAC system is functioning properly. The home has a central heating and air system and doesn’t rely on a fireplace, window units, or other methods to heat or cool the home.

Your home has exposed or ungrounded wiring. Other issues include double-tapped breakers or aluminum wiring.

Note any signs of leaking pipes, water-damaged walls or floors, or pipe deterioration.

Have a roofing professional inspect your roof for leaks or damage and have any holes or trouble spots repaired before your inspection.

How to save on homeowners insurance

While having your insurance company require a 4-point inspection may seem like a hassle, it can actually catch small issues before they become expensive problems and save you money in the long run. And while you’re getting an inspection to update your

homeowners insurance

, why not make sure you’re getting the best rates and coverage with

Jerry

Signing up on Jerry’s top-rated app takes less than a minute, then you’ll have access to customized quotes so you can compare rates and save. If you find a cheaper policy, Jerry will handle everything like canceling your old policy and getting you switched to your lower rate.

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