By Avi Aranb
Buying a house involves a lengthy process and tons of paperwork. You think you can finally breathe a sigh of relief when you’ve already chosen the perfect house, but it turns out you need to undergo another process: a home inspection.
You may think this would be unnecessary, especially if you thought you’ve checked every corner of the house. And there’s also the costs to worry about. But foregoing this process could lead to a disaster.
What you may not notice is that beneath the beauty of the house, nasty things might be hiding. Termite infestation is an example. If your newly-bought home in Salt Lake City or other places did not undergo proper termite inspection and control, the structure and furniture will be ruined, and replacement and repair costs will be another source of a headache.
What Does a Home Inspector Do?
A home inspector ensures that everything in the house is working properly. They check everything from the rooftop down to the basement, both inside and outside the house, and submit a report to you afterwards. The inspectors will also identify any issues in the plumbing system, for example, so you can have them repaired immediately.
Some states also require a pest inspection report before a house can be sold. Common house pests include termites, cockroaches, powder post beetles, and rodents. pest control expert will hunt them down and submit a report or recommendation to you.
Before signing a sale contract, it is important to have a home inspection report. Whether that home is newly-built or pre-owned, having a professional assess its condition will help you determine if the price you’ll be paying is fair.
Cost of a Home Inspection
There are two types of home inspection: general home inspection and specialized home inspection. Some buyers save money by hiring a single company that can perform both. However, if you need a pest inspection, a non-specialist may submit an inaccurate report. In this case, it’s better to hire an experienced inspector from a legitimate pest control company.
The square footage of a home can influence the price of an inspection. In a 2,000 sq. ft single-family home, for example, the inspector may charge $400-$450. The bigger the house, the bigger the charges will be.
Some inspectors charge an additional fee for extra difficult tasks such as getting into a crawlspace. On average, the additional fees range from $50-$100 and up.
Buyers typically spend $500-$1,000 for a home inspection. Other factors that determine the price are the expertise and experience of the inspector, the type of inspection, and the inspection company.
What You Can Do After an Unfavorable Report
If the home inspection report indicates that a number of repairs should be done, you can renegotiate with the seller. You can persuade them to shoulder the repair costs or to just lower the price of the house. If the seller insists on unreasonable terms, your home inspector can help you get out of that deal. In fact, 14% of sales never get finalized after a home inspection, according to a survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors.
Considering all of these, you’ll surely get your money’s worth if the home you bought has been professionally inspected. Consider it part of your investment. Without destructive pests, structural problems, and plumbing system issues, you’ll end up saving more money in the long run.
