| 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 |
