Best Home Inspection Services

Have this essential service performed by a reputable company

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Home inspection services examine the condition of a home via a trained and licensed home inspector. The inspection can be performed at any time, but it is mostly done during the sale of a home.

The seller may order a home inspection to see if there are any issues that need to be addressed, although it’s more common for the buyer to request a home inspection so they know what they’re getting into. Continue reading to learn more about which of these best home inspection services will suit your needs.

Best Home Inspection Services of 2023

Best Overall : National Property Inspections


National Property Inspections

National Property Inspections

Why We Chose It: National Property Inspections has more than 30 years of experience and offers thorough home inspections in more than 200 locations.

What We Like
  • Multiple types of inspections, including specialty inspections

  • Commercial and residential property inspections

  • More than 200 locations

What We Don’t Like
  • No online pricing

  • Not available in all states

National Property Inspections was founded in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1987, and today it’s one of the most reputable names in the business. It performs more than 1,000 inspections each year and all of its inspectors are certified in the states they work in. The company’s inspectors are trained to perform both commercial and residential inspections and prepare some of the most detailed reports in the industry.

They offer pre-closing and pre-listing inspections as well as new construction draw inspections, builder warranty inspections, and employee relocation home inspections. Some of their specialty services include mold, radon, and termite inspections, home energy audits, and infrared imaging. Prices vary by region, home size, home age, and type of systems. You can contact your area’s local office to schedule an appointment and get more detailed information. Inspections usually take two to three hours to perform, and the report time varies depending on the scope of the job and the local demand.

Best for Sellers : US Inspect


US Inspect

US Inspect

Why We Chose It: US Inspect offers a pre-listing home inspection to sellers so they can get a head start on knowing what repairs need to be done before they sell their home.

What We Like
  • Sample home inspection reports displayed on the website

  • Sellers can schedule an appointment online

  • Decades of industry experience

What We Don’t Like
  • Not available nationwide

  • You have to check with a local inspector to see if a warranty is offered

Founded in 1987, US Inspect is one of the nation’s leading residential home inspection companies. It places significant emphasis on customer service and highlights the fact that buying and selling a home is one of the largest transactions you will ever undertake. The company performs inspections in 17 states plus Washington, D.C. and carries $2 million worth of errors and omissions insurance; inspectors are certified and licensed as required by their states.

You can schedule an inspection online, and the inspection itself will usually take two to three hours for an average-sized home. When the report is ready, it’s delivered via email and includes high-resolution color photographs. It’s intended to be educational, graphical, colorful, and factual. The inspector will verbally discuss the report with you onsite before emailing it. Prices vary, but the average home costs around $300 to $500. Other services offered include infrared inspections that can detect water leaks and pinpoint energy losses, termite inspections, and more.

Best for Quick Reports : HouseMaster


HouseMaster

HouseMaster

Why We Chose It: HouseMaster offers home inspection reports called Express Reports immediately after the inspection is complete, which is great if you need the information in a hurry.

What We Like
  • Report can be made immediately available

  • Inspection resources available on the website

  • Report is detailed and has recommended repairs spelled out

What We Don’t Like
  • Each location is an individually owned franchise so pricing and services may vary

HouseMaster was established in 1979 in Somerville, New Jersey, and is one of the nation’s oldest and largest home inspection companies. It has over 370 locally owned and operated offices across the country and has performed more than 2.5 million home inspections.

In addition to home inspection services, HouseMaster also offers specialty services including radon screening, checking for wood-destroying insects, pool inspections, septic inspections, and water testing. You can request a free quote on the website and once the inspection is performed, you can log into your account to see your report.

The Express Report is available as soon as the home inspection is complete, so you can address any necessary repairs or maintenance right away. The website also features some helpful explanations of different parts of the home inspection process and what to be aware of. Contact your local office for pricing and availability.

Best for Maintenance Reminders : HomeBinder


HomeBinder

HomeBinder

Why We Chose It: HomeBinder reminds the homeowner of important maintenance needs such as changing their air filters. It also stores contractor information and organizes home projects.

What We Like
  • Convenience of one platform to organize your home

  • Offers maintenance reminders so nothing slips through the cracks

  • Electronic filing cabinet

What We Don’t Like
  • Not good for non-tech savvy homeowners

  • Not an actual home inspection company so you will need to choose an inspector from the referral list

HomeBinder, based in Burlington, Massachusetts, was founded in 2015 and has staff in multiple locations nationwide. It’s a residential home management platform where you can go to one website for many of your home needs, including important document storage, maintenance reminders, home appliance recalls, home improvement tasks, service providers, and more. It’s basically a one-stop online shop for all things home improvements.

Although HomeBinder isn’t a home inspection service company, it is one of the industry’s top referral sites and has worked with more than 5,000 home inspectors. Inspectors can safely upload their inspection reports onto the site and they will be automatically sent to the homeowner or the requesting party. It also integrates with home inspectors software, including Horizon and Spectora. More than 450,000 homeowners use the site, along with real estate professionals.

Final Verdict

Final Verdict

Home inspection services are an important part of buying and selling real estate. It’s best to be as informed as possible, and a good inspection company will provide detailed information on necessary repairs and maintenance. All of the home inspection services on our list are reputable and have standout features, but overall we recommend National Property Inspections because of its longevity in the industry and the specialty services it offers.

What Is a Home Inspection Service?

A home inspection is conducted by a trained and licensed home inspection professional, called either a home inspector or a property inspector. The inspector will thoroughly go through the home and make notes about the condition, items that need immediate attention, items that can be done later, and general maintenance issues. The inspector will then generate a report and give it to whoever ordered the inspection. Qualified home inspection companies should be certified by InterNACHI (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors) or ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors).

A home inspection typically includes:

  • Examining the electrical system
  • Inspecting the plumbing systems and testing for leaks
  • Checking out the roof
  • Inspecting the heating and air conditioning systems
  • Checking the insulation
  • Examining the flooring, walls, and ceilings

When Do You Need a Home Inspection?

A home inspection can be useful at any time to determine what needs to be fixed in your home. However, this service is really needed during the home-buying process. It can show you what problems you’re going to inherit and what you can ask the seller to fix and as such, can be a valuable negotiating tool. For example, the home inspection report may find that the hot water heater is 15 years old and leaking. You may be able to get the seller to give you a credit that can go toward purchasing a new one.

How Much Does a Typical Home Inspection Cost?

Home inspection costs vary greatly depending on the size of the house and its location. Demand in the area can also increase prices.

Methodology

We researched more than a dozen home inspection services before deciding on our list. We chose reputable companies with overall positive customer reviews that perform home inspection services in multiple states. We considered services offered, additional features, timeliness of reports, availability of pricing online, and other factors.

Best Home Inspection Services

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