Home Inspection Checklist and Costs

[Ryan Bird]

1.What are some of the recommended home inspection items - do you usually stick with the standard ones offered by the inspection companies or should we conduct radon/mold testing or anything else in addition? Any recommended check lists that you could guide me to? For context, this is a relatively newer townhome to be used as a primary residence. Also, how much does do they cost in average?  (home + radon + mold) 

2. I understand that we need to do home inspection during the attorney review period. I also learned that either party can back out during this period. What happens if sellers back out during this time once we pay money to complete the inspection - will we lose the money that was paid for home inspection? Hoping there won't be any surprises but what would be a recommended approach here to cover ourselves from inspection costs?

[John Clark]

"Inspections are typically $500-800. There are cheaper inspectors but it's often worth it to pay more for reputable ones."
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Amen. My inspector costs me more than $800, but he spends 5 or 6 hours checking out a small single-family house. As I am wont to say, "I can afford a house, I can't afford a surprise."