pricing

When shopping around for a home inspector, there are a few questions that are very important to ask, besides the price.  Be wary of inspectors that are much cheaper than others- you get what you pay for when it comes to home inspections! Since buying a home is the largest investment you will make in your lifetime, you want a qualified, experienced inspector to guide you through the process - not a brand new guy willing to offer cheap inspections to gain more business.  There is no state licensing for home inspectors, so just about anyone can sell home inspection services, regardless of how qualified they really are.

I want to learn about:

Questions to ask when shopping for a home inspector:

How long has the inspector or inspection company been in business?
RIA has been in business since 1988 and has performed over 25,000 home inspections in the metro Atlanta area.

Is the inspector ASHI certified?
All of our inspectors are ASHI certified.

Is the inspector ICC Code certified? (this question is especially important for new homes!)
All of our inspectors are ICC Code certified.

Does the inspector or inspection company offer a warranty?
RIA offers a 90 Day Warranty on all home inspections.

Does the inspector or inspection company give on-site, computerized inspection reports?
RIA gives computer generated onsite reports immediately after the inspection.

Is the inspector or inspection company fully insured to protect you?
RIA carries general liability, Errors and Omissions and workman's compensation insurance.  Click to learn about all three.

Does the inspector or inspection company meet the insurance requirements of your builder? (applies to new homes)
RIA generally meets or exceeds all the home inspection requirements set forth by builders.  These requirements typically include general liability insurance, workmans' comp, ICC and ASHI certifications, and a business license.

Here are a few "red flags" to be aware of when shopping for an inspector:

The inspector's price is significantly below several other inspectors you have called.
A very low price generally indicates a low level of experience.  Don't take this chance when it comes to your home.

The inspector charges by the hour.
An inspector who charges by the hour will take significantly longer to inspect the same house as an inspector who charges by the size and type of home being inspected.

An inspector who is not insured, or tells you insurance is not important.
Insurance can be costly for an inspection firm, so many new companies, or smaller companies, skip it.  But it protects you, and protects the inspector as well.

An inspector who sends you to voice mail.
Many inspectors work in the field, and answer calls between inspections.  That's great for them, but when you have a question or concern that arises after the inspection that requires immediate attention, you will need someone to answer the phone.  Time is of the essence in real estate transactions, and you want someone who can respond immediately.

An inspector who takes your call while he is currently on an inspection.
If he's talking to you while doing someone else's inspection, surely he will be talking to another client when he's on your inspection.  You will not get the attention to detail you deserve if your inspector is on the phone with another client.

A company that has different price structures for different inspectors.
If a company quotes you one price for an inspector with certain credentials, and a lower price for an inspector with fewer credentials or experience, this should raise a red flag to you.  You want an inspection firm that hires ONLY the highest qualified inspectors for every inspection, giving you the best level of service each and every time.

What is the price of the inspection based on?

Inspection prices are based on several factors including the size of the home, what it is built on (basement, slab, or crawl space), the age of the home, and the location of the home.  Since most home buyers do not know the square footage of the home (it is not disclosed in documentation about a home), the price range of the home is generally used as an indicator of size.  However, in certain areas of Atlanta, the price range may not be indicative of the size, and The Residential Inspector makes adjustments for those areas (i.e. Buckhead).

Would you like a price quote? Call us at 770.476.4963.

New Referral Program! Attention home buyers and sellers!
If you feel your experience with RIA was exceptional and decide to share your satisfaction with friends and family, we would like to show our appreciation.  If someone you know schedules an inspection with RIA and mentions your name when booking, we will gladly send you a $25 gift certificate.  Your referrals are the best compliment we could ever receive!