Own Luxury Homes®
Complete Home Inspection Guide: Every Type Explained
General home inspection ($300-$700) covers structure, roof, HVAC, electrical, plumbing. Separate specialist inspections: termite/WDO ($75-$150), septic ($300-$600), well water ($100-$400), radon ($15-$200), mold ($300-$800), sewer scope ($100-$300). About 82% of buyers order a general inspection (NAR). Septic failure costs $10K-$30K+; radon mitigation $800-$2,500. Own Luxury Homes® 12-Point Agent Integrity Audit™ — right inspections for every property.
Complete Home Inspection Guide: Every Inspection Type You Should Know About
A standard home inspection covers the visible, accessible components of a home. It does NOT cover the septic system, well water quality, termites, radon, mold, or the sewer lateral — each of which requires a separate specialist inspection. For most buyers, the general inspection is just the beginning. This guide covers every inspection type you may need, what each costs, and what each looks for.
| Inspection Type | Typical Cost | What It Finds | Who Usually Pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| General home inspection | $300-$700 | Structure, roof, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, foundation | Buyer |
| Termite / WDO inspection | $75-$150 | Wood-destroying organisms, active infestation, damage | Buyer or seller (varies by state/contract) |
| Septic inspection | $300-$600 (pump + inspect) | Tank condition, drain field, system function | Buyer |
| Well water test | $100-$400 basic; $300-$800 comprehensive | Bacteria, nitrates, hardness, radon, arsenic, pH | Buyer |
| Radon test | $15-$30 DIY; $100-$200 professional | Radon gas levels; EPA action level 4 pCi/L | Buyer |
| Mold inspection | $300-$600 visual; $400-$800 with air sampling | Visible mold, moisture intrusion, air quality | Buyer |
| Sewer scope | $100-$300 | Sewer lateral condition, cracks, root intrusion | Buyer |
| Chimney inspection | $100-$300 | Flue condition, creosote, structural integrity | Buyer |
When to Order Each Inspection
Always order: general home inspection (every purchase), termite/WDO (standard practice in most markets, required by lenders in many states). Order if the home has a private well: well water test. Municipal water is tested by the utility; well water is your responsibility. Order if the home has a septic system: septic inspection. Approximately 1 in 5 U.S. homes uses a septic system. Failure costs $10,000-$30,000+. Order in high-radon states: Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, and most of the northern Midwest have elevated radon risk. A $25 test could reveal a problem that costs $2,500 to fix but poses a long-term health risk if ignored. Order if you see moisture, staining, or smell musty odors: mold inspection. Remediation can cost $500-$30,000+ depending on extent. Order if the home is pre-1980 or the seller is unknown: sewer scope. Clay and cast iron pipes common in older homes deteriorate and crack; a sewer lateral replacement runs $3,000-$25,000+.
“The buyers who have the fewest post-closing surprises are the ones who ordered every inspection that was relevant to their specific property. A home on a well and septic in a high-radon county with a 1975 roof deserves a very different inspection package than a 2018 condo. I help every client build their inspection list based on the property type, age, location, and what the general inspector finds. The general inspection is the map. The specialist inspections are the territory.”
— Ryan Brown, Principal Broker & CEO, Own Luxury Homes®
What inspections do I need when buying a house?
At minimum: a general home inspection ($300-$700) and a termite/WDO inspection ($75-$150). Additional inspections depend on the property: well water test if on private well, septic inspection if on a septic system, radon test in high-risk states, mold inspection if moisture indicators are present, and sewer scope for pre-1980 homes. Each specialist inspection is ordered and paid for separately from the general inspection.
Own Luxury Homes® — we help every client build the right inspection package. 12-Point Agent Integrity Audit™. Talk to a specialist ›
"The introduction Own Luxury Homes® makes is to a specialist with documented closing history in your specific market — not the county, not the metro, the submarket you're actually selling or buying in. That's the standard we verify before your name goes anywhere."
— Ryan Brown, Principal Broker & CEO, Own Luxury Homes® (FL License BK3626873)