[Jbirds99]

What does a typical inspection cost?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Jbirds99

What does a typical inspection cost?

We paid $175

[upstate]

I paid $275.00 in June, well worth it.

[DougB]

I think we paid $250 last September

[DangeloInspections]

A typical Home Inspection costs about $275.

There are variables, such as square footage of the home, if there is a crawlspace or not, if it is a manufactured home, a Patio or Courtyard villa, etc, etc. Because I am doing inspections in The Villages almost everyday, I know what to look for in the different models and pay extra attention to these areas proven to be a concern.

There are also different types of inspections done in The Villages. You have your "normal" potential buyer inspection where a buyer hires a Licensed Home Inspector to do an inspection after a purchase offer is made but before closing.

There is also a Warranty Inspection, where a person who has purchased a home built within a year, and is fast approaching the end of the warranty period. The inspection is geared towards finding existing defects AND cosmetic issues, etc. The report also goes directly to The Villages Warranty Department.

Most always the Inspector finds many issues that the Homeowner was not aware of. The cost of having these additional issues found and repaired UNDER WARRANTY most always is many times the cost of the inspection.

The wiser question to ask is "What type of inspection am I buying?" I can only speak for myself here. I spend between 2.5 to over 4 hours inspecting a home. I crawl in the attic, I walk on the roof, I check all of the utilities, exterior and interior, bathrooms, kitchen, appliances and cabinetry. I then go back outside and check the sprinkler system. Sadly, many Inspectors do not do the above things and do not take the time to do a complete inspection. They may also charge a bit less, but it can end up costing you much more.

After my inspection I go over every issue found with you, then return to my office and spend an hour or two more completing the report. By the end of the day you have a full color, easy to read and understand report complete with pictures, etc. A typical report is between 30-50 pages....sometimes more.

If it is a warranty inspection, The Villages Warranty Department will also receive the report that same day, so all you need to do is answer the phone a day or two after when they call you to schedule the correct contractors to fix the issues found.

If it is a new buyer inspection, I have an ethical obligation to work for you.....not the Realtor, not the seller, but you.

I am an ASHI Certified Inspector. Many others out there are not. I apologize for the long post. It is a subject I am passionate about. I hope I have answered your question adequately.

If you do not mind me adding here, if you are considering a Warranty Inspection it is important to book early, as The Villages Warranty Department requires to have all issues found fixed BEFORE the one year anniversary of your closing. It is not uncommon to call to book a Warranty Inspection 2-3 months prior to the anniversary date.

Respectfully, Frank D'Angelo, ACI

[Golfingnut]

We have had a few small things needing attention so we went to the warranty department and it was taken care of. Save the inspection money. Paying for an inspection is more emotional than useful. Go to the Internet and print out an inspection checklist and do it yourself. The appliances, code requirements and and structural have different and warranty times than cosmetic issues. The few things we found were fixed free of charge. Our issues were a faulty ice maker in the frig and a breaker in the fuse box that would not have been identified by a routine inspection.

[Cantwaittoarrive]

Originally Posted by DangeloInspections

A typical Home Inspection costs about $275.

There are variables, such as square footage of the home, if there is a crawlspace or not, if it is a manufactured home, a Patio or Courtyard villa, etc, etc. Because I am doing inspections in The Villages almost everyday, I know what to look for in the different models and pay extra attention to these areas proven to be a concern.

There are also different types of inspections done in The Villages. You have your "normal" potential buyer inspection where a buyer hires a Licensed Home Inspector to do an inspection after a purchase offer is made but before closing.

There is also a Warranty Inspection, where a person who has purchased a home built within a year, and is fast approaching the end of the warranty period. The inspection is geared towards finding existing defects AND cosmetic issues, etc. The report also goes directly to The Villages Warranty Department.

Most always the Inspector finds many issues that the Homeowner was not aware of. The cost of having these additional issues found and repaired UNDER WARRANTY most always is many times the cost of the inspection.

The wiser question to ask is "What type of inspection am I buying?" I can only speak for myself here. I spend between 2.5 to over 4 hours inspecting a home. I crawl in the attic, I walk on the roof, I check all of the utilities, exterior and interior, bathrooms, kitchen, appliances and cabinetry. I then go back outside and check the sprinkler system. Sadly, many Inspectors do not do the above things and do not take the time to do a complete inspection. They may also charge a bit less, but it can end up costing you much more.

After my inspection I go over every issue found with you, then return to my office and spend an hour or two more completing the report. By the end of the day you have a full color, easy to read and understand report complete with pictures, etc. A typical report is between 30-50 pages....sometimes more.

If it is a warranty inspection, The Villages Warranty Department will also receive the report that same day, so all you need to do is answer the phone a day or two after when they call you to schedule the correct contractors to fix the issues found.

If it is a new buyer inspection, I have an ethical obligation to work for you.....not the Realtor, not the seller, but you.

I am an ASHI Certified Inspector. Many others out there are not. I apologize for the long post. It is a subject I am passionate about. I hope I have answered your question adequately.

If you do not mind me adding here, if you are considering a Warranty Inspection it is important to book early, as The Villages Warranty Department requires to have all issues found fixed BEFORE the one year anniversary of your closing. It is not uncommon to call to book a Warranty Inspection 2-3 months prior to the anniversary date.

Respectfully, Frank D'Angelo, ACI

First let me say Frank is GREAT!!! Best inspector we have ever used! The $275 spent with Frank was well worth it. Frank found some minor issues that I would have never found and if left unchecked could have caused major expense down the road. Your home is most likely the biggest investment you make in life why wouldn't you spend $275 with Frank to make sure your investment is covered? I can't say it enough Frank is the best!! this is money well spent!!

[Duvalboomer]

Here is another vote for Frank, excellent inspector and $275 is a good deal to make sure there are no issues with your home.

[upstate]

Originally Posted by upstate

I paid $275.00 in June, well worth it.

Used Frank for the inspection, very satisfied.

[jimbo2012]

Sure there are a few of us that can do our own, a very very few.

Based on Franks support on these forums he deserves the support of 99.5% of the folks that need his service.

Most home owners don't know what to look for.

[DangeloInspections]

Thank you all for the kind words.

I agree that some people are more then capable of doing their own inspection and they would then save the cost of the inspection. They would need to know what they are looking for and also have some building knowledge, some special tools, etc. They would also feel comfortable checking areas of the home not normally lived in, such as the roof, attic, crawlspace (if not on a slab), etc.

Just today during an inspection I found an issue inside the main electrical panel box. I also found two issues on a roof. This was on a very nice home during a warranty inspection.

I often find issues in the attic, especially if there has been aftermarket work done in the attic.

The bottom line is that I sometimes do find issues in the electrical panel box, Attic area and on the roof.

That being said, I would be the first to say- The Villages builds a nice home....but sometimes I do find some very strange things simply because not every worker can be watched 24/7, and mistakes are sometimes made by all of us, including builders. Homes get built so fast that sometimes things can get overlooked or done quickly and not double checked, etc.

I have found problems with A/C ductwork, Vent pipes, Microwave installation, exterior and interior cracking. I have found doorknobs installed backwards, ductwork switched, areas not painted, caulking not done correctly, etc, etc.

Do I miss things? I'm sure I do on occasion. My wife of 35 years reminds me every so often that I am far from perfect. All in all though, most all of my customers have stated that I have found many more items then they had found themselves and that the inspection was worth it.

Respectfully, Frank D'Angelo, ACI

[DougB]

Hi Frank, I am just curious. If someone pays for a home inspection and something is missed, does the inspector assume any responsibility monetarily?
Thanks

[DangeloInspections]

Originally Posted by DougB

Hi Frank, I am just curious. If someone pays for a home inspection and something is missed, does the inspector assume any responsibility monetarily?
Thanks

Yes Doug, at times they do. There are limitations and every situation is different. This would be more applicable to a new buyer inspection. Most good inspectors carry errors and omissions insurance for the rare times. Most of the time on rare occasions if there is a problem, it can usually be resolved by good communication, etc.

[DougB]

Originally Posted by DangeloInspections

Yes Doug, at times they do. There are limitations and every situation is different. This would be more applicable to a new buyer inspection. Most good inspectors carry errors and omissions insurance for the rare times. Most of the time on rare occasions if there is a problem, it can usually be resolved by good communication, etc.

Thank you.

[CHESTERFIELDROSE]

Love my Frank, he is the best.