Is a Home Inspection Worth it?

Buying a house is an expensive process and many homeowners feel overwhelmed when they add up the extra expenses like closing costs, brokerage fees and a home inspection. This leads some buyers to skip the home inspection all together, but this usually costs more in the future than it saves in the present.

Here are some common questions potential homebuyers ask and the reasons a home inspection is always worth it. 

I’m buying a brand new home, why would I need a Home Inspection?

When buying a brand new home, you still want to make sure it was built properly. A Home Inspector can make sure the builder didn’t cut corners and that the construction crew didn’t do a sloppy job. 

The seller said that the house was inspected before putting it on the market, do I still need to hire a Home Inspector? 

Yes! At the very least, you should ask to see the inspection report from the previous inspection. Even if the Inspector did give the home a good bill of health, you should get a second opinion from your own Inspector. This ensures that nothing could be missed or overlooked that would cost more money in the future. Paying between $350 and $500 for an inspection is always better than paying thousands of dollars in repairs when you least expect it. 

I’m going to update or remodel my home anyways, why should I have someone inspect it first? 

Updating an old house is a large project to undertake, and hidden structural defects can put you way over budget on a remodel. It is recommended for a remodel to at least get the roof, foundation, electrical, hvac and plumbing inspected so that you aren’t surprised later.

Also, if you’re planning to flip and sell the house, chances are, it will be inspected when you sell it and you wouldn’t want an Inspector to find costly defects. 

The seller offered me a discount in price if I don’t hire a Home Inspector, that’s great, right?

No! The seller has no reason to shy away from a home inspection, it is quick and paid for by the buyer. This means that the buyer could have an alternative reason for not wanting a home inspection, usually they know that their home has defects and they don’t want to lower the selling point of their house. 

Saving something like $4,000 for not doing a home inspection might sound nice but if that costs you $10,000 in repairs, it is well worth it to pay for the inspection in the first place. 

I looked at the house when I was there and it looks fine, what can a Home Inspector see that I can’t? 

Home Inspectors have much more experience spotting potential problems and they also have tools like radon detectors, sewer scope cameras and drones to spot defects not apparent to the naked eye. Home Inspectors can also spot things that could be future problems, like a water heater that is near the end of its life, that might not need fixed now but will need fixed in the future. This can help you prepare for future costs of homeownership. 

Why shouldn’t I just pick the most inexpensive Home Inspector?

It is important to choose a Home Inspector that is certified and trained for all situations a home inspection might present. It is also important to find an Inspector who will check everything from the top of your roof to the bottom of your basement and everything in between. You don’t want an inspector who will rush through the job and leave you with hidden defects and high costs. 

For example, at Damage Detectives, we inspect homes in a team of two inspectors and two pairs of eyes so that we know your home is fully inspected! 

Overall, you should never skip a Home Inspection because it’s better to make an informed decision about buying a home than a rushed decision based on cost.