|
Type of
inspection |
What it
covers |
Cost/who
pays |
Remedies |
| Standard
pre-purchase |
Overall home
construction and condition, including major mechanical systems
|
$200-$500; buyer
|
Conduct further
specialized inspections; repair |
Wood
damage (required by many lenders; check with yours) |
All wood portions of
home (interior and exterior) |
$75-$200; negotiable
|
Repair or replace
damaged wood; treat for wood-destroying insects or organisms
|
Lead
(disclosure required on all homes built before 1978)
|
Presence of lead in
paint, plumbing or other areas |
$400 for basic survey;
negotiable |
Repair or replace
affected areas |
Radon
(disclosure of known elevated levels required) |
Presence of naturally
occurring radioactive gas |
$150 for basic survey;
negotiable |
Seal foundation cracks,
install a sump pump; ventilate basement or crawl space.
|
Environmental hazards (asbestos, formaldehyde,
petroleum, toxic chemicals) |
Presence of any
substance in building material, soil, water or air that poses a
health risk |
Price varies; negotiable
|
Remove hazardous
material, such as asbestos, or source of danger, such as a buried
oil tank. |
| Soil
|
Condition of soil under
and around foundation and retaining walls |
$300 to $2,000;
negotiable |
Repair or treat problem
|