How Much Does A Home Inspection Cost In Tampa? (Average Pricing)

When buying a house, you almost have to learn a new language - with terms like contingencies, pending, closings, appraisals, and inspections thrown around. You might feel a bit overwhelmed by the process and unsure of what exactly you should be doing. You might also be unsure about all the costs associated with buying a home - like paying for an inspection.

On average, a home inspection in Tampa will cost around $500. This price might increase or decrease based on factors such as your home's size, features, and location. While you may be tempted to forego this expense, it is always a good idea to have a home inspection performed to protect your financial interests.

Based in Lithia, Eaton Realty works with buyers, sellers, and property investors throughout West Central Florida. If you are in the market for a house, we can guide you through the process - from finding a home to helping you understand disclosures to assisting you with obtaining a home inspection. Reach out to our offices today to talk to a Hillsborough County real estate agent about your home search.

Take The Mystery Out Of Buying A Home. Speak With A Tampa Bay Realtor › 813-672-8022

What Is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection is a visual - non-invasive - assessment of a home’s condition. It is typically done by a buyer before finalizing the purchase of a house. Sometimes, a seller may have a pre-listing inspection performed to identify and address any potential issues with the property before putting it on the market.

As part of a home inspection, a licensed home inspector will carefully evaluate every aspect of a house, including:

• The foundation (checking for cracks, excessive settling, or other signs of problems)
• Accessibility and condition of crawl spaces
• Any drainage issues around the exterior of the home
• The condition of the roof, including whether any shingles are missing or damaged
• Gutters (looking for proper installation and drainage)
• The condition of siding, stucco, bricks, and paint on the exterior of the house
• The exterior walls
• All exterior structures and features, including decks, pools, sheds, and fences
• The attic, checking for adequate ventilation and insulation, and that there are no leaks from the roof
• All pipes and plumbing (making sure that it is in good condition and not leaking)
• Drainage of all tubs, showers, and sinks
• Water pressure
• Appliances are in working condition
• Exhaust fans work properly
• The condition of interior walls (looking for stains, cracks, or damage)
• All doors and windows open and latch properly
• The screens are in good condition
• All lights, outlets, and switches operate correctly
• The fuse box is in good shape
• All wiring is in good condition, with no exposed or inaccessible electrical splices
• The HVAC works within specification and is in good condition

Based on their evaluation, the home inspector will then issue a written report that goes through each area of the house, including the structure itself and the essential systems. The report will note the condition of each major component, such as electrical, roof, and HVAC. It may also make recommendations for items that should be replaced or repaired.

Buyers typically have a home inspection done after making an offer. It is often a contingency on an offer - that the home has to “pass” inspection. If the inspector finds any issues with the house, the buyers may be able to negotiate the purchase price with the sellers. Alternatively, the sellers may offer to make repairs themselves (such as by installing a new central air conditioning unit). If a home inspection uncovers a major problem, the buyers may walk away from the house purchase completely.

Average Cost of a Home Inspection in Tampa

On average, you can expect to pay around $500 for a straightforward home inspection in the Tampa area. However, the cost of a home inspection can vary widely based on several factors, such as the size and location of your home. Depending on your home, you may pay $1,000 or more for an inspection.

In Florida, home inspections may cost more if your house has certain features - like a pool, deck, or seawall. These inspections tend to be more complicated and cost more as a result. Many home inspectors also charge based on square footage, with a base price for homes under a certain size.

Other factors that influence the cost of a home inspection include:

• The age of the home, with older homes requiring more inspection time;
• The property type, as single-family homes often cost less to inspect than properties with shared spaces (such as a roof) that often require more time to inspect;
• The complexity of the inspection;
• The scope of the inspection, with some testing - such as for radon, mold, and/or termites - being charged as add-on fees;
• Urgency, with most inspectors adding fees for last-minute or rush inspections;
• The experience and credentials of the inspector;
• Location of your home, with high cost of living areas typically being more expensive. In addition, if the inspector has to travel a distance, they may charge more; and
• Additional services, such as detailed reports, photographs, insurance reports, and recommendations.

Your Tampa real estate agent will be able to recommend a home inspection company that they trust as part of the home-buying process. You can get quotes from several companies to get a better idea of how much an inspection will cost based on the unique features of your home.

Do I Need a Home Inspection?

In almost every situation, a buyer should get a home inspection. If you are financing your home with a mortgage, the lender will almost certainly require one. The bank wants to make sure that it is making a good investment before it loans a large sum of money, which is the same reason that an appraisal of the property is typically required.

Even if you aren’t taking out a mortgage, you should still get a home inspection in most cases. For good reason, a home inspection is a standard part of the home-buying process. Buying a home is the biggest investment that most people will ever make. Having an inspection performed helps to protect your financial interests.

Think of it this way - many issues that a house may have aren’t visible or obvious to a layperson. You might not know, for example, that a deck doesn’t have the proper support or that the gutter wasn’t properly installed. An inspector uses their training, education, and experience - plus specialized tools - to ensure that a house is in good condition. For example, they may roll a ball on a shower pan to ensure it slopes towards the drain - if it isn’t, that could cause major problems with standing water in the shower.

Inspections also help to keep you safe. You might not be able to spot telltale signs of mold, for example, or know that a particular material in your house contains asbestos. You also probably don’t have the tools to know if the electrical system is dangerous, either - which is a type of problem that can cause a house fire.

Knowing about potential problems with a house before you buy it can help you avoid major financial expenses. If you are aware that the roof is at the end of its life, for example, you could use that information to negotiate a lower purchase price. Otherwise, you might buy a house only to discover that you need to spend tens of thousands of dollars replacing the roof.

A home inspection can be used as a bargaining chip by the buyer, allowing you to ask for a repair or a credit from the seller. In a seller’s market, however, you may be asked to waive the inspection. Doing so may be necessary in order to buy a house - but you should carefully consider whether making such a concession is worth the risk.

You should talk to your Tampa real estate agent before waiving the home inspection - even for a new house. There may be alternatives to waiving the inspection, such as modifying the offer so that the inspection contingency - not the inspection itself - is waived. Even without the contingency, finding a major problem with the property may still allow you to back out of the deal.

Find Your Dream Home with Eaton Realty

If you are buying a used car, you’d almost certainly have it checked out by your mechanic before closing the deal. For the same reason, it’s a good idea to have a home inspection done. An inspection is a relatively low-cost way to protect the biggest financial purchase you may ever make.

Eaton Realty helps clients throughout Hillsborough County find the right home for them. We have more than 20 years of experience in the Tampa real estate market and have seen firsthand how important home inspections can be. We offer expert-level guidance to our clients, providing them with insight into the market, what their inspection report means, and more.

If you want to buy or sell a house in Hillsborough County, we are here to help. Learn more by filling out our online contact form, or call us at 813-672-8022 to talk to a real estate team member.