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How much does a home inspection (bedek bayit) cost, and what does the price include, whether you order it before or after you move in? This article explains how inspection companies price their work: what a construction defect inspection costs, what a home inspection engineer charges, what the company charges, and more.
The price varies from company to company. We believe prices have to be affordable so that everyone can have an inspection. The cost is small and the benefit is high. Below is what you should know about what an engineer charges. Related: cracks in the walls of a new home.
What determines the price of a home inspection
Every company sets its own price. The cost depends on the scope of the inspection, the size of the house or houses, and whether it is a broad inspection project or a targeted one.
The usual price range, by engineer Ron Arad
A standard home inspection meant to find construction defects has no single price: it depends on the size of the home, its age and its location, and you get an exact quote in advance, before you commit.
But what if my home has no construction defects at all, and I paid for the inspection for nothing? Don't worry. Defects in new apartments from a contractor are so common that we can say we find them in every apartment we inspect.
In luxury apartments the defects usually come to ₪20,000-40,000. In "ordinary" apartments they can reach ₪70,000 and more. Related: inspecting a stone kitchen countertop.
Why prices differ between inspection companies
Why does the cost of a home inspection differ? Many variables are involved. Some companies are cheaper... As in any service business, prices vary from one company to the next. But a price that is too low should make you suspicious. In this kind of inspection the engineer's professional level can prevent expensive damage later on, and it is not worth taking that risk for a few hundred shekels.
Before the cost, what is a home inspection for? "I want to buy the house anyway..." It is not the inspection engineer's job to tell you whether or not to buy the house. No house is perfect, and needing various repairs is normal.
But be very careful about critical defects, a few of which were mentioned above. So ask the engineer which findings are critical. A professional home inspection engineer will give you a true picture of the home's condition without alarming you. A house cannot fail a home inspection.
What the price covers, and what the inspection does not include
The price of a construction defect inspection covers the standard inspection you want: put simply, an engineering map of the house, or in other words a picture of its condition with the emphasis on significant construction defects.
The engineering inspection does not cover the value of the property or its legal status, meaning building permit deviations or building rights. Those are handled in a separate expert opinion by a real-estate appraiser, and they require a visit to the local planning committee.
What to ask the inspection company before you order
- What does the price of the inspection include? If there are special elements that need inspecting, such as an attic, a pool or a basement, say so.
- A low price, or a high one, sometimes comes from a lack of experience, or from the opposite. Ask how many years of experience the inspecting engineer has.
- It is worth asking for references.
- Do you specialize in inspecting residential buildings?
- How long will the inspection take? A standard home inspection should take two to three hours. Less than that is not enough for a thorough inspection.
- Ask to see a sample construction defect report, and check that you can understand it.
- How soon will the report be delivered?
- Can I attend the inspection? It is always advisable to be there, and you should be wary of an engineer who does not allow it.
- Is the inspection carried out by a registered engineer?
In summary: what a home inspection will cost you
To know how much a home inspection costs, compare what a veteran engineer charges with what someone new to the field charges. The cost follows from the seniority and experience of the team, which is what leads to zero mistakes and full confidence.
The prices above are an estimate. Get an exact quote for your property, and you will have a precise answer on what the inspection will cost you. Related: a dampness problem in a new home.
As for what you get for the price: our company's engineers provide professional expert opinions that list every fault they found and what it will cost to repair. Remember that our expert opinions are accepted and admissible in court. We will accompany you through the whole process, if and when that is needed, and if the expert opinion is called into question we will testify as expert witnesses.
When to order the inspection
Beyond the question of cost, there is the question of when to call in a home inspection company. The best time is before you buy the property, that is, before the deal is completed, so that any defects are discovered. If you have noticed a problem with the electricity, the plumbing or the like, do not think twice.
A professional inspection can uncover burst pipes, hazards in the walls and cracks, building permit deviations, faulty planning and more. Even when everything looks fine it is important to order a home inspection, because the most complex faults are precisely the ones that are not always visible, which makes them hard to find and to deal with.
The engineers of Arad Bedek Bayit, led by building engineer Ron Arad, whom courts appoint as their own expert on construction defects. The company has been inspecting apartments and buildings since 2001. Engineer Ron Arad · More about the company