I’m often asked to do re-inspections on previously inspected homes. Re-inspections are a difficult thing for some home inspectors to perform and I know may inspectors that refuse to do them. More times than not, the requested repairs are not completed or have been done in an un-workmanlike manner.
Re-inspections can vary in price and mine typically depend on the amount of work I anticipate having to do. Do I have to enter the crawl space, attic space, open an electrical panel or furnace? Do I need to write a revision to the original inspection report or is a word of mouth confirmation OK? I have done some re-inspections that have taken almost as long as the original inspection, but that is not typical. Most require about an hour’s time including the report revision.
Even if a re-inspection is performed, I always recommend the purchaser request a copy of the repair receipts and if the contractor says that no repair is required, I recommend they have him put his opinions in writing on his company letterhead.
You should expect to pay approximately $50 to $150 for a re-inspection, but some companies price them at half the original inspection fee. In all actuality, the home inspection is supposed to protect you, the purchaser, so why not have a re-inspection done to ensure that all of the necessary corrections have been done.
