Home Buying Guide: Who are the Best Home Inspectors?

Congratulations, your offer to purchase a home was accepted!  The next step is to do the home inspection.

First the home must be prepared for the desired inspections.  This is the responsibility of the seller, unless otherwise specified in the purchase agreement.  The home needs to be de-winterized and all utilities turned on.  It is always your choice in doing a home and/or pest inspection, radon test and well & septic inspection (unless in a point of sale county).  However, it is highly recommended that you hire a professional to do your inspections.

Home Inspectors: home inspections are about $275/ inspection.  It is the buyer's responsibility to pay at the time of the inspection.  Most inspectors schedule appointments for 9 am, 12 noon, and 3 pm.  Some do have alternate times available.  This is a very important inspection to have as a trained eye will pick up on things that might have been missed when viewing the home.  An inspector will be able to spot current repairs, future problems, evaluate the life of the roof and all mechanics.  Great home inspectors will note any possible lender required repairs as well.   

• Accurate Inspections 517-669-2196
• Jason Murtan
• Les VanAlstine
• First Priority 517-332-8880
• Jeff Prior
• Goff Home Inspections 517-699-7787
• Kevin Goff

Pest Inspectors: inspections costs $65-75 per inspection and are paid for by the buyer at the time of the inspection.  If treatment is needed for a pest, a request can be made for the seller to pay.

• Lonnie Collins of Accurate Inspections 517-669-2196
• Ed Jones of No Risk Examinations 989-227-0050

Radon: a radon test costs about $100 and your home inspector usually has the tools to test for radon, but be sure to mention you want a radon test in advance as the canister needs to set for at least 3 days to get a proper reading.  Homes without a finished or finish-able basement usually don't get tested for radon. 

• Air Quality Control 1-800-420-3881
• Radon Remover 1-877-723-6662 Eric Roslund 

Well and Septic: many area counties require this inspection before the transfer of a property.  Even if you are purchasing in a non Point of Sale county, a well and septic inspection is still recommend.  Inspectors must be approved and licensed for the county in which the inspection will occur.  Both listed inspectors are approved in all the Mid-Michigan counties.  The approximate cost for inspections in Point of Sale counties is as follows:

Ingham County:

• Well & Septic: $485
• Well Only: $425
• Septic Only: $425

Shiawasee County:

• Well & Septic: $470
• Well Only: $325
• Septic Only: $325

Barry-Eaton County:

• Well & Septic: $490
• Well Only: $330
• Septic Only: $330

The well test will included drawing water samples and sending them to the state lab for testing.  Standard tests included in the inspection are total coliform (bacteria), nitrates and nitrites.  Additional water tests (lead and arsenic) might be needed depending on your loan and the county in which the home is located.  Each additional test will cost about $40.

The following inspectors are licensed in the Mid-Michigan area (Barry, Eaton, Ingham, Clinton, and Shiawasee) 

• Heath Service Expeditors: Nathan Foote 517-663-8813
• Johnson Inspection services: Mike Johnson 517-543-5413