Sinkholes are a major problem for homeowners, especially in places like Florida and Texas. Far from just causing property damage, sinkholes can also be very dangerous. The longer a sinkhole is left untreated, the more dangerous it becomes, so it’s important to catch them early.

Unfortunately, the exorbitant cost of an official sinkhole inspection makes it impractical to get one, unless you’re sure that you need it.

To help you figure out if you need a sinkhole inspection and what you can expect one to cost,

Jerry

—the

trusted insurance super app

for saving money on

car

and

homeowners insurance

—has created this comprehensive guide on sinkhole inspection costs.

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How much does a sinkhole inspection cost?

Sinkhole inspections are as expensive as they are important. Typically, a sinkhole inspection will cost between $6,000 and $8,000, depending on how severe the problem is.

Unlike other home inspections, the cost of a sinkhole inspection isn’t closely related to the size or value of your home. Instead, the cost is mostly determined by how large the sinkhole turns out to be. As time passes, sinkholes grow larger—as does the cost of the required inspection. This means that the longer it takes you to release that you might have a sinkhole, the more expensive your inspection will be.

A standard home inspection won’t include a sinkhole inspection because ordinary home inspectors do not have the requisite training or expertise to properly assess the possibility of a sinkhole—for that, you’ll need the help of a qualified specialist.

MORE:When to walk away after a home inspection

Do I need a sinkhole inspection?

Whether or not you need a sinkhole inspection is always a tricky question to answer. On the one hand, you don’t want to get an inspection unless it’s absolutely necessary, due to the exorbitant cost. However, you also don’t want to risk leaving a sinkhole unattended—that could lead to catastrophic property damage and/or severe bodily injury.

For that reason, it’s incredibly important that you know how to recognize the signs of a sinkhole, that way you can catch problems early and avoid even higher inspection costs.

Here are the common sinkhole warning signs that you should be watching out for:

New or worsening cracks in your home’s foundation

New or worsening cracks in your interior walls

New or worsening cracks in the ground around your house

Depressions in the ground—especially if it’s circular in shape

Crooked, leaning, or fallen trees or fence posts.

Symptoms of a compromised foundation—such as doors or windows that no longer open/close properly.

A sudden reduction in the level of well water at a location:

MORE:What’s involved in a home foundation inspection?

Sinkhole repair costs

The cost of a sinkhole inspection may be steep, but it’s nothing compared to the price of repairing a sinkhole if one is discovered. Even a small sinkhole will cost at least $10,000 to repair. Larger ones can easily cost $150,000 or more to repair—if they can be repaired at all. Where on that scale your repair falls will depend on the size, location, cause, and relative stability of the sinkhole—as well as its geological surroundings.

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The best companies for a sinkhole inspection

Since sinkhole repair costs can vary so widely, it’s a good idea to discuss the results of your sinkhole investigations with multiple companies. Most companies will be willing to give you a soft estimate—that way, you can choose the best deal.

If you’re not sure where to begin looking for a sinkhole investigator, consider using one of these companies:

SDII Global Corporation

. This is a good company to use if you’re in a particular hurry. They’ll get the inspection done in two to three days and have the results to you in two weeks—which is pretty fast compared to most sinkhole inspection companies.

Earth Engineering Inc

. If you want to make sure that your inspection is carried out by highly-trained professionals, consider hiring EEI. The technicians that work there are experts in their fields.

Alpha Geotechnical & Testing Services

. This is a great company to hire if you want to simplify the process for yourself. Alpha Geotechnical not only handles sinkhole inspections but also any required repairs.

GeoModel

. This company provides excellent sinkhole inspections service to homeowners all across the country.

How to save on homeowners insurance

Sinkhole inspections and repairs can cost a fortune. Fortunately, the cost of home insurance doesn’t have to!

Using

Jerry

—the

licensed insurance broker app

—drivers are able to save an average of $800+ a year and countless hours of comparison shopping! All you need to do is download the app, answer a few basic questions, and then sit back while Jerry compares customized quotes from dozens of different insurance providers at once! That way, you can always be sure that you’re getting the best possible deal!

As an added bonus, you can also use Jerry to save money on your

car insurance

as well!

“
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was wonderful! I used it for my auto and renters policies. I trusted it so much that I signed up my homeowners insurance under Jerry as well. All of the agents are amazingly nice and knowledgeable.” —Mary Y.

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