HOW MUCH SHOULD HOME INSPECTION COST?

"How Much Do You Charge?"

This is often the first (and wrong) question prospective home buyers ask home inspectors. What if someone answered the phone and said: "I am the newest and least experienced inspector in the area, I provide a cheap hard to read hand written checklist with no photos and the only way I can get business is by charging less than all the other inspectors." Okay, maybe you won't hear that actual statement, but what is an inspector really saying when he states: "My home inspection fee is $100 less than most other Massachusetts, New Hampshire or Maine home inspectors".

You have spent a lot of time researching for the place you will call home, but how much time will you spend researching for a good home inspector? Can you really afford the cheapest, most inexperienced person to inspect the most expensive purchase you will ever make? Isn't the inspector's qualifications and home inspection experience more important? Although some inspectors claim 25 years experience, in some cases it's not 25 years of home inspection experience. What kind of testing equipment will the inspector be using? What kind of report is provided? Have you viewed a sample report? Does it include photo documentation? Be sure to compare apples to apples.

Have you verified that the inspector has a valid Massachusetts Home Inspector's license? Does the company or inspector have any complaints on record at the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office? Have you called the AG's hotline (617) 727-8400 to find out? Be aware that if you are buying a home in Rhode Island, Maine or New Hampshire there are no licensing requirements for home inspectors in those states. Have you visited the web site for The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) to verify that the inspector is a member?

Assuming you have done the aforementioned, now the question about the home inspection fee can be asked, however, there are a lot of factors involved in calculating the fee. This includes the inspector's level of experience, qualifications, and talent. The type of report produced and the size, design and age of the property also has to be figured in. Some so called "informational" web sites state that home inspection fees run from $200 to $350, however, these "low" fees are based on an inspector doing 2 or 3 inspections per day and completing on-the-spot checklist type reports.

What kind of inspection report do you get from an inspector who does 3 inspections per day? You will receive an on-site average 14-page checklist report with illegible hand written comments.  It will not convey the inspector's findings for the reader in a manner so that he or she can understand their significance and make educated decisions.  I perform only one home inspection per day.  I spend 2-3 hours on site gathering facts and taking pictures, then I spend another 3-4 hours in the office preparing a written narrative report with graphic illustrations and color photographs specific for your needs.  My narrative report uses the English language to both document, describe and disclose each system in the home in a manner that you can understand and use to take action.  My reports are delivered by Email, and a bound hard copy is priority mailed the next business day.  My narrative reports are my best means of advertising as clients are proud to show them to friends and relatives as a valuable reference.  Hiring a true professional home inspector to represent you will cost more, but it will give your peace of mind during the purchase process.

The cost of a MA home inspection is a bargain compared to the sale price. If the owner of a house is willing to pay a real estate agent $15,000 to $30,000 to sell the house, how much are you willing to pay to find out the true condition of the property?

The real value of an inspection and report should be measured by its usefulness. If a home inspection report fails to help a prospective buyer fully understand what they are buying or if it doesn't provide accurate, detailed information, which the client could use in the real estate negotiation process, what good is it? Click on the "testimonial" area of my home page to read what clients of Allsafe Home Inspection Service, Inc. have said about their home inspection experience.