How Much Is A Home Inspection In Florida?
You’ll agree when we say that a home inspection is the most crucial test to understand a home’s robustness and longevity.
In fact, be it purchasing a home or undertaking repairs and renovations, an inspection report is considered the benchmark for deciding the best course of action.
And that’s exactly why an overwhelming majority of Florida homeowners go for a thorough home inspection despite it not being mandatory.
But the one question that everyone looking for an inspection has on their minds is, how much is a home inspection in Florida?
This question has no straightforward answer though, as the actual amount you pay for home inspection services depends on multiple factors, including the type and scope of the inspection.
However, we’ve compiled the average cost of home inspection that you can expect to pay for a typical inspection. Also, we’ve calculated the average costs for various home sizes and inspection types.
So let’s have a close look and understand the nitty-gritty of home inspection cost.
How much is a home inspection in Florida?
The average cost of home inspection in Florida is $325. And this is very close to the national average, which, according to HomeAdvisor, is $342.
You can, however, expect to pay anywhere between $200 and $700 for a complete home inspection under the existing market conditions. Herein, the exact cost will be determined by the size of your property.
Wondering how much a full home inspection will cost you?
Well, here’s an average inspection cost chart based on the square footage of your home:
Size (in sq. ft.) | Average cost for inspection |
< 500 | $225 |
501 – 1,000 | $262 |
1,001 – 1,500 | $300 |
1,501 – 2,000 | $328 |
2,001 – 2,500 | $350 |
2,501 – 3,000 | $371 |
3,001 – 3,500 | $402 |
3,501 – 4,000 | $463 |
4,001 – 4,500 | $500 |
4,501 – 5,000 | $574 |
5,001 – 6,000 | $629 |
Note: The total cost of home inspection in Florida is also determined by the type of inspection that you opt for.
For instance, while the above chart lists the average cost of standard home inspections, this will definitely differ for services such as four-point inspections and wind mitigation inspections.
So, let’s see what these different inspection services are and how much you’re likely to pay for each of them.
What are the different kinds of home inspections and how much do they cost?
A home inspection generally involves a thorough examination of your home from the inside out.
But even though these inspections are most commonly sought after by both owners and buyers, there are other types of inspections too.
For instance, if you’re looking for home insurance, you’ll most likely need a four-point home inspection. Similarly, some inspection companies also provide custom services for specialized needs.
So, it is obvious that these different types of inspections will have separate charges.
Now, for a clear understanding of pricing, we’ve delved deep into the various inspections and what determines their cost. And here’s what it looks like:
1. Full home inspections
A full home inspection is your typical inspection wherein a certified inspector looks at the exterior and interior components of the home. And this is an entirely non-invasive inspection involving close examination of the property to detect visual signs of damages or problems.
To start with, a full home inspection will examine the exterior sections of your home, including the foundation, grading, outer walls, roofing, drainage system, etc.
Thereafter, the inspectors will analyze your home’s interior elements, such as electrical lines, plumbing systems, HVAC units, fire safety instruments, etc.
As you might already be aware, a complete home inspection isn’t obligatory. Nevertheless, people go for these inspections more often than not, thanks to the in-depth insights they offer about a home’s existing conditions.
For instance, as a homebuyer, you’re likely to utilize an inspection contingency clause and get a home inspected before purchasing it. Also, if you are a homeowner, you’d surely go for an inspection from time to time.
How much does a full home inspection cost in Florida?
As we’ve mentioned in the above chart, you’re likely to pay in the range of $225 to $629 for a complete home inspection.
Going by the national average size of single-family homes, which is approximately 2500 square feet, you can expect your home inspection charges to be between $350 and $371.
However, if you go for an asbestos home inspection alongside a full inspection, you might have to pay an additional $230-$783.
2. Four-point home inspection
Another type of inspection that you can avail is a four-point home inspection.
And if you’re wondering what is a 4 point home inspection, it examines the four main components of your home. This includes the roofing, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems, which are also examined in a full home inspection.
Now, although a four-point inspection isn’t mandatory, home insurance companies in Florida (and some other states) do require you to get one.
For instance, if you’re looking to renew your existing home insurance coverage or avail a new policy, you’ll have to provide a four-point inspection report to the insurance company.
How much does a 4 point home inspection cost in Florida?
Talking about the cost, a four-point inspection will cost you far less than a complete home inspection. That’s because it examines only four areas of the home and not the entire property.
And according to market estimates, the cost of a four-point inspection starts from $50 and goes up to $150.
Also, depending on the square footage of your home and the extent of analysis required, this cost can go up.
3. Wind mitigation inspection
Like four-point inspections, a wind mitigation inspection is also a special-purpose inspection that looks at the wind resistance capabilities of a home.
Also known as the windstorm mitigation inspection, it involves a close-up analysis of your home’s vital components, such as the roof, walls, doors, windows, etc.
Herein, a certified inspector will determine whether or not your home can deter the severe losses resulting from strong hurricane winds. Further, they’ll also establish how safe the residents would be in such extreme weather conditions.
Interestingly, wind mitigation inspections are neither legally required nor do the insurance companies mandate them. However, it can help you get a lower insurance premium and also value your home favorably during a sale.
How much does a wind mitigation inspection cost in Florida?
As per the latest market estimates, a homeowner will pay in the range of $75 to $150 for a wind mitigation inspection.
On average, you can expect to pay $100 for a complete wind mitigation examination of a standard single-family home.
4. Specialized home inspection
A specialized home inspection is usually conducted after a full home inspection. And it is typically done on the advice of your home inspector, who suspects certain underlying issues that need special attention.
For instance, home inspectors might suggest you do an asbestos inspection if the property is old and they’ve got reasonable doubts about the presence of asbestos materials.
In all, there are various home inspection services that you can avail, including asbestos, chimney, mold, foundation, pest, and pool inspections.
How much does a special home inspection cost?
The total cost of a special home inspection will depend on the specific area of the home that you get inspected.
Here’s a complete breakdown of the average cost of various specialized home inspection services:
Inspection type | Average cost |
Asbestos inspection | $230 – $783 |
Chimney inspection | $300 – $600 |
Foundation inspection | $340 – $720 |
Sewer lines inspection | $250 – $1340 |
Septic tank inspection | $200 – $900 |
Pool inspection | $130 – $250 |
Lead-based paint inspection | $250 – $700 |
Radon inspection | $150 – $700 |
Termite inspection | $230 – $930 |
Mold inspection | $350 – $500 |
You might also want to read – Mobile Home Inspection Checklist: Everything To Know About.
What are the factors that determine the cost of home inspection in Florida?
The total cost of home inspection is determined by various factors, including your home’s size, age, geography, etc.
Here are some important factors that decide how much you pay for a home inspection:
1. The size of your property
The most important of all factors in determining the cost of inspection is the square footage of your home.
Simply put, the larger your home, the more you’ll end up paying for an inspection. And this is for simple logic, as large areas need more time to inspect.
As such, the first thing that a home inspector might ask you is the total square footage of your home, including areas such as the basement, porch, and attic. Also, they’ll ask you about the number of rooms, bathrooms, etc.
You can, on average, expect the inspection charges to be $0.50 per square foot of your home.
2. Your home’s age
Another important cost determinant is the age of your home. That’s because the older your home is, the more expertise it’ll need.
You see, newer homes are less likely to have serious or hidden defects. But that’s not the case with older homes, which sometimes test the limits of the inspectors.
Moreover, it’s usually the old homes that have problems such as asbestos, lead, black mold, etc.
So, the fact that closer and more detailed inspections are needed for old homes translates to a more expensive inspection bill.
3. Number of inspection companies in your area
Unusual as it might sound, the number of inspection firms operating in your locality will also determine the total cost of home inspection.
It comes down to the basic economics of demand and supply. Meaning the more inspection companies in your area, the lesser the quote you can expect, and vice versa.
4. Your location in Florida
Which part of Florida you’re located in also decides the amount you pay for a home inspection.
Just like the price of real estate varies in different regions, so does the cost of inspection. The reason is that the economics of inflation varies from place to place.
For instance, home inspection cost in the Miami metropolitan area is way higher than the cost of inspection in cities such as Sarasota and Orlando.
5. Add-on inspections
Lastly, the total cost of home inspection in Florida will also depend on whether or not you go for add-on inspections.
For instance, if you conduct a mold inspection along with a regular home inspection for a 2500-square-foot home, you can expect to pay at least $700-$800.
How long does a home inspection take in Florida?
Like all things home inspection, the total time that inspectors will spend examining a home will depend on the type of services and the size of the property.
For instance, a complete home inspection can take anywhere from a few hours to an entire day. Herein, the actual time is determined by the square footage of your home and the number of inspectors conducting the inspection.
On the other hand, four-point and wind mitigation inspections don’t take any longer than a couple of hours.
Always keep in mind that if an inspector is promising you a small time frame without looking at the total area, they’re most likely to miss out on hidden problems.
Expert tip: We suggest you be present at the time of home inspection. Also, you should ask the inspectors any questions that you might have, albeit without disturbing their inspection process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who pays for a home inspection in Florida?
A home inspection is usually paid for by the homeowners if they’re conducting it prior to home renovation or maintenance.
However, if you’re a homebuyer looking to conduct an inspection before finalizing the purchase deal, you’ll be paying for such inspections and not the existing owner/seller.
2. What to do after a home inspection?
After the completion of a home inspection, you’ll receive an inspection report detailing the findings.
Now, if you’re the homeowner, you can use this report as a reference for undertaking essential repairs and improvements.
Similarly, if you’re a buyer, you can bring the findings of the report to the existing owner/seller and ask them to undertake essential repairs. Also, this report can be the basis for you to walk away from the purchase deal.
You might also want to read – When To Walk Away After Home Inspection?
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Conclusion
As you can see, the question as to how much is a home inspection in Florida has no definitive answer.
You can expect to pay $325, on average, for a regular home inspection of your single-family home. However, the actual cost will be determined by factors such as how big or old your home is, which part of Florida your home is located, etc.
Our price chart can serve as a reference for the cost of home inspection in Florida.
Looking for an exact home inspection quote for your property?
You can reach out to us!
We’re Homestead PI, a highly seasoned South Florida home inspection firm with over a decade of industry-wide experience. And we promise the most affordable home inspection quote on the market.
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