9 Reasons You Should Get a Home Inspection

Just like you visit the doctor for check-ups, your home needs regular inspections, too

inspector having a discussion with homeowners
Photo: goodluz / Adobe Stock
inspector having a discussion with homeowners
Photo: goodluz / Adobe Stock
Highlights
  • Home inspections can be helpful to identify problems in your home, even if you aren’t buying or selling.

  • Regular inspections can help identify problems early on before they cause costly damage. 

  • A home inspection every two to five years can ensure your house is safe, up to code, and free of problems like mold or radon.

Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.
Geo Icon

Home inspections are a must when buying or selling a house—we know this. However, there are plenty of reasons to hire a qualified home inspector, even if you aren’t planning on buying or selling soon.

Maybe you want peace of mind knowing that all systems are working as they should or simply that the major rainstorm last month didn’t cause any hidden leaks.

Many experts recommend having your home professionally inspected every two to five years. Here are nine money-saving reasons why home inspections are a good idea for homeowners, buyers, and sellers alike.

Angi Tip

Performing regular maintenance can help you avoid issues during your home inspection. Make sure to regularly inspect your roof, check your plumbing and electrical systems, and ensure your gutters and ventilation are clean to prevent buildup.

Danny Smith
Content Editor

1. Catch Potential Problems Early

inspector examining home exterior
Photo: ronstik / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

One of the primary reasons to get your home inspected by a professional inspector near you is to catch repair and maintenance problems early. A simple issue, such as a leaky kitchen faucet, can turn into a full-on flood if left unaddressed.

Plus, an inspection can also catch more serious problems that you may not see, such as missing roof shingles that could lead to leaks or pest infestations that are happening behind your walls. 

Early detection can save thousands of dollars as well. Regular home inspections help uncover these issues before they have a chance to grow and put a huge dent in your bank account. The inspector’s written documentation on the condition of your home will also help you budget for future renovations and repairs.

2. Get an Honest Evaluation of Your Home

inspector taking notes after examining home
Photo: Emmanuel Lavigne / EyeEm / Getty Images

Most home inspectors have no ulterior motives and won’t attempt to sell you unnecessary equipment, tools, or repair services. This means you’ll get an honest and unbiased evaluation of your property (warts and all).

To get the most impartial home evaluation, make sure your inspector doesn’t have any affiliations with the contractor that may end up working on your home. Also, talk to your contractor to confirm they aren’t affiliated with the real estate agent who may sell or list your home in the future.

3. Let a Professional Look Everywhere You Don’t Want To

Nobody enjoys heading into a dark crawl space, an unfinished basement, or that forgotten corner of the attic. However, problems can creep up in those areas just as easily as in other places in your home. A good inspector will go over every inch of your property, even the parts covered in spiderwebs.

Jobs Done Well

The inspector took me along during the inspection. He showed me what he was inspecting and explained any findings. Along the way he took the opportunity to point out various utility shut-offs. He identified and explained safety concerns he found as well. The inspection was quite thorough taking a little over two hours. A comprehensive report complete with many included photographs was provided later the same day. The service was well worth the cost.

— Marshall K., Observant Home Inspection, Penfield, NY

4. Perform a Radon Detection Test

Radon is a natural, odorless, colorless gas that enters homes through foundation cracks and can cause serious respiratory problems. There's no way to know you have radon without performing a test, so be sure to include it as part of your overall home inspection package. If it’s not, you can hire a local radon inspector to investigate.

If your home gets a clean bill of health, you’ll rest easy. If the inspector finds increased levels of radon, they’ll have actionable suggestions regarding mitigation.

5. Prevent Mold Growth 

Mold. Just hearing the word is enough to send many homeowners into a panic. It breeds easily. It smells awful. It’s tough to remove. Plus, certain types of mold can cause health problems if left untreated.

Mold loves moisture and humidity, so it often lurks in hard-to-find areas of your home like basements, attics, crawlspaces, and other nooks with exposed plumbing. But luckily, a qualified home inspector can locate mold spores in the tiniest crevice and spot it before it grows into something more serious.

6. Check Major Systems

man examining home electrical box
Photo: fstop123 / Getty Images

Home inspectors will pay special attention to any potentially dangerous components of your property, including your electrical system. They’ll examine your system in detail to ensure it is working properly and that it poses no additional risk to your family.

A home inspector can also conduct an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) inspection to ensure that the heating and cooling systems are functioning properly. This includes checking for any potential safety hazards, such as gas leaks or faulty electrical connections, that could put the occupants at risk. An HVAC inspection also helps assess the system's efficiency, which can impact energy costs and the overall comfort of the home.

If your inspector uncovers a problem in its early stages, you can hire a qualified electrician near you or a local HVAC technician to address it. 

7. Helps Reveal Illegal Additions

In a perfect world, everything in a home would be up to code and permits would be pulled for all construction projects. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case, and it’s best to find out if anything in a home you want to buy or sell isn’t in compliance with regulations. A home inspection can ensure any additions, upgrades, or changes meet code requirements.

If any unpermitted work is discovered, you may need to retroactively pull a permit, have the work inspected, and possibly pay a fine in order to be compliant. For homebuyers, unless you’re buying a house as-is or waiving an inspection, unpermitted work or add-ons that aren’t up to code can quickly bring a house purchase to a halt.

8. You Can Negotiate Repairs

If you’re buying a house, the pre-sale home inspection puts you in a good position to negotiate for repairs or a price reduction before the sale goes through. Knowing what issues a house has allows you to adjust your offer to include either having those problems fixed pre-sale or reducing the price to allow you to get necessary repairs or replacements after the sale goes through. 

9. Relatively Inexpensive

Home inspections cost an average of $300 to $425, which can be a small price to pay for the peace of mind of knowing what problems a house has. Most problems will only get worse with time, leading to costly repairs or replacements. Hiring a home inspector to identify issues early on with a home inspection allows you to make timely repairs, saving you money in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bed frames are big, bulky, heavy items that are difficult to move. Moving an assembled bed frame isn’t a job for one person, and depending on the size, movers may struggle to fit it through door frames. It’s often easier to disassemble to frame, even when you have multiple professional people helping with the move.

Some movers will disassemble bed frames and include this in their price. Others will charge extra for this service, so always check before booking. Disassembling the furniture yourself is one way to lower the cost of moving a bed frame if you have the tools, the time, and the extra bodies to help you complete the task safely.

Need professional help with your project?
Get quotes from top-rated pros.
The homeowners guide to home inspections
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Aerial view of a large country house
Feb 25, 2025
Feb 25, 2025
Drone roof inspection costs vary depending on the roof’s size, complexity, and material. Use this guide to budget for a drone roof inspection.
A contractor on a ladder checking a house’s roof
Jan 8, 2025
Jan 8, 2025
If you’re buying a home, having an inspection offers reassurance that it’s in good condition. How much a home inspection costs varies depending on the home's size, age, condition, and location.
Kitchen home tour black and white floor
Jun 13, 2025
Jun 13, 2025
Home appraisals are an important part of buying or selling a home and getting a mortgage loan. Learn more about home appraisal costs and what they include.
A single family home in the suburbs
Dec 3, 2024
Dec 3, 2024
Once you know the things that fail a home inspection, you can figure out a repair plan. Here are 15 common issues that can come up and how to address them.
View of A-frame attic
Nov 21, 2024
Nov 21, 2024
An attic inspection can confirm structural components, insulation, and home systems are all in order. Learn about attic inspection costs and what to know.
Home buyers look over house with inspector
Dec 9, 2024
Dec 9, 2024
An inspection tells you a lot about the house you’ll buy, but should you use a realtor’s home inspector? Learn the pros and cons of using your agent’s choice.