Are you getting ready to buy a house in Cincinnati? After all the hard work of saving up for your down payment, getting qualified for a mortgage, and researching the best neighborhoods in Cincinnati, you’re probably ready to move on to the fun and exciting parts of home buying. Once you’ve found your dream home, don’t get too swept away that you forget to do your due diligence!
The home inspection is a contingency you don’t want to waive. The best home inspectors in Cincinnati can give you crucial insight into your new home. Home inspectors look for and uncover serious defects that may be deal-breakers, and help you understand the overall condition of the home. Here are the top home inspection companies in Cincinnati to consider hiring.
Tips for Finding & Hiring a Home Inspector in Cincinnati
Home inspections in Ohio are a standard part of buying a home, but don’t make the mistake of assuming all inspectors are the same. Choosing the right Cincinnati home inspector requires almost as much thought as the home itself! After all, you will be trusting their diligence and skill to catch potentially costly deal-breakers and determine if you should proceed with the sale.
Here’s what to look for in a home inspector and how to assess home inspection companies based on their credentials.
- Make sure they’re licensed and insured. Ohio requires home inspectors to be licensed in the state. Ohio licensed home inspectors have passed the National Home Inspector Examination also required for ASHI membership. You should also verify they are insured. Ohio requires licensed home inspectors maintain commercial or comprehensive general liability insurance.
- Check for trade group membership and certification. Give favor to home inspectors in Cincinnati who belong to professional organizations and have received certification. Common Ohio home inspection associations include InterNACHI and ASHI.
- Ask about their level of experience. With years of experience performing Ohio home inspections, the inspector has likely seen a large variety of issues and types of homes. You can ask what they did before home inspection – many inspectors were previously in construction which can give them better insight into home condition and the quality of repairs.
- Look for advanced training or certification. If you are buying an older home or there are unique features, it’s a good idea to look for an inspector who has additional certifications, training, or credentials. This may be a home engineer’s license, for example, or a chimney inspector certification.
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Remember that credentials aren’t everything. A 2018 investigation by Consumers’ Checkbook had 12 certified, licensed home inspectors inspect the same three-bedroom home with 28 known defects. None of the inspectors uncovered all the issues which ranged from obvious rodent infestation and serious roof damage to a leak under a sink.
It pays to do a bit of homework to find the best Cincinnati home inspectors who give you the best value and peace of mind.
Along with the above, here are additional things to look for when you hire a home inspector.
- Ask for a sample report. This is an excellent way to see how thorough a job the inspector does. When you compare home inspection reports from several inspection companies, you’ll find that some are very long and detailed with photos of defects while others include a lot of obvious, generic information.
- Take your agent’s recommendation with a grain of salt! Unless you trust and know your Realtor well, it’s best to do your own research to choose a home inspector. Some agents may avoid referring you to thorough inspectors who tend to find major problems that cause buyers to walk away, and some inspectors may feel obligated to go easier on an inspection if they were referred by the agent.
- Find out what will be included in your inspection. Some Cincinnati home inspectors go beyond the basics with services like drone inspections to check the condition of the roof and infrared camera inspections to look for temperature differences in the floors, ceilings, and walls that indicate moisture damage.
- Avoid inspectors that do renovations and repairs. They have a conflict of interest as they may “uncover” problems or inflate the severity of issues in the hopes they will be hired for repairs.
- Check home inspector reviews. You can check Google, Angie’s List, Yelp, and other sources to see what past clients have to say.
Slab to Slate Home Inspections – Certified Master Inspector with Thermal & Drone Inspections in Cincinnati
- Address: Slab to Slate Home Inspections, 250, 141 E 5th St FL 15, Cincinnati, OH 45202
- Phone: (513) 445-9705
- Sample inspection report
Slab to Slate doesn’t have the decades of experience of some home inspectors in Cincinnati, Ohio, but that just makes the companies hundreds of 5-star reviews even more impressive. The inspector behind the company is Chad Schultz, a Certified Master Inspector with an Ohio Pesticide Applicator license for pest inspections and an FAA Remote Pilot license for drone roof inspections.
Slab to Slate offers everything you’re looking for in a house inspector. All Cincinnati home inspections are scheduled for a minimum of 4 hours to ensure your new home receives a thorough inspection. You can see a sample report to get an idea of how comprehensive they are. The offer ancillary home inspection services including drone inspections. You can schedule an inspection online here.
Home inspection cost:
- Starting at $389 (OH) or $399 (KY) for up to 1499 SQ FT plus $0.63/mile surcharge
- Termite inspection: $49 (OH) or $65 (KY)
- Radon testing: $129 (OH) or $139 (KY)
- Single-story condo inspection: $299 (plus $15 to $40 distance modifier)
- Pre-listing consultation: $199 for up to 2 hours
Gerard Home Inspection – Cincinnati Home Inspections & Ancillary Inspection Services with 700+ 5-Star Reviews
- Phone: (859) 878-7768
- Sample inspection report
You would be hard-pressed to find a more respected Cincinnati home inspector than Gerard Home Inspection. The home inspection company boasts an amazing 5.0-star rating on Google based on more than 700 reviews. They’re known for their meticulous attention to detail and excellent customer care. Rather than simply focusing on the inspection itself, Gerard Home Inspection in Cincinnati treats the inspection process as an opportunity to help buyers learn about their home.
Inspections take several hours. Your inspector will answer questions, offer recommendations for repairs or improvements, and discuss in-depth the advantages or downsides and what to expect with the materials and major systems of the home. They carefully inspect every nook and cranny to report the condition of visible components, safety concerns, and problem areas for the future. Gerard Home Inspection uses the latest technology to inspect areas not readily visible to avoid unexpected surprises down the road including infrared thermography to look for hidden water and electrical problems, aerial drones to check the roof, crawlspace rovers to inspect the attic and crawlspaces, and cameras for video sewer inspections.
Inspection pricing:
- Home inspections range from $389 (up to 1500 SQ FT) to $569 (5500+ SQ FT)
- Condo inspections: $319
American Verified Home Inspections –Advanced Equipment and In-Depth Spectora Inspection Reports
- Address: American Verified Home Inspections, 4027 Gilmore Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45209
- Phone: (513) 871-7800
American Verified Home Inspections in Cincinnati, OH delivers the thorough inspection you need to make an informed decision as a home buyer. Their average home inspection takes about three hours including 45-60 minutes normally spent on the exterior.
They always include a roof inspection that includes walking on the roof when safe or a drone inspection. Your inspection also includes the use of a thermal camera to detect moisture problems and electrical issues in the walls, ceilings, and floors plus a wood destroying insect inspection to check for signs of termites and carpenter ants. You can also opt for additional services like sewer pipe video inspection and radon testing.
Their Cincinnati home inspections include an in-depth report that takes about two hours to put together at the office. This will include photos, detailed notes and observations, and relevant links.
Home inspection pricing:
- Price calculator to select square footage and options
- Home inspection includes drone, thermal camera, and wood destroying insect inspection
- Inspection starts at $465 (2000 SQ or less)
1st Inspection Services –Comprehensive Cincinnati House Inspection Services
- Address: 1st Inspection Services, 2692 Madison Rd, Ste 385, Cincinnati, OH 45208
- Phone: (513) 766-3811
- Sample inspection report
1st Inspection Services is one of the more expensive options for home inspections Cincinnati has to offer, but they have a sterling reputation in the industry. They are members of major trade organizations including NACHI, NRPP, NEHA, AARST, and the Cincinnati, Dayton, and Northern Kentucky Board of Realtors with more than 24,000 properties inspected or appraised.
Your inspection comes with the peace of mind of RecallChek, the only Appliance Safety & Recall check system in the country. Model numbers of built-in appliances and the HVAC system will be recorded by your home inspector and run against the system to issue you a free RecallCheck report. 1st Inspection Services also offers warranties on Ohio home inspections including a 90-day warranty, 5-year roof protection plan, Mold Safe, and SewerGard.
Inspection cost:
- Home inspection starting at $489 (up to 2500 SQ FT)
- Condo or townhouse inspection starting $389 (up to 2500 SQ FT)
- Termite inspection: $65 (with home inspection)
- Radon test: $160 (as add-on)
- Pool or sprinkler inspection: $100 (as add-on)
Pillar to Post Home Inspectors (Capuano Team) – Performed More than 46,000 Home Inspections in Cincinnati Area
- Address: Pillar to Post Home Inspectors – Capuano Team, 8857 Cincinnati Dayton Rd #204, Cincinnati, OH 45069
- Phone: (513) 771-6689
Pillar to Post is the largest home inspection company in Ohio and all of North America. The Capuano Team of home inspectors in Cincinnati form a successful franchise with more than 46,000 inspections performed in the Cincinnati area combined!
Pillar to Post home inspections include roofs and attics, gutters, foundation, electrical system, water heater, decs and porches, plumbing, and more. You can add additional house inspection services including mold testing, sewer scoping, radon tests, termite inspections, and swimming pool inspections.
You can even get unique, innovative features that add value to your report:
- PTP360, an interactive 360-degree summary of your visual home inspection
- PTPFloorPlan, an accurate floor plan of your new home to plan furniture arrangement and share with contractors for estimates
- PTPHomeManual, a digital owner’s manual for your home powered by Centriq
- PTPEstimates with cost estimates for items on the inspection based on local costs
Inspection Plus – Termite, Drone, Infrared & Home Inspections in Cincinnati Area
- Address: Inspection Plus, LTD, 4 Muirfield Ln, Cincinnati, OH 45241
- Phone: (513) 793-3552
Inspection Plus, LTD. Has performed Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio home inspections since 1991 with more than 55,000 inspections completed. The company is owned by John Cordell who also owns Advanced Radon Testing, Ohio’s largest radon testing company. He is also the president of the Ohio Home Inspectors Board.
Inspection Plus offers a full range of house inspection services including infrared and drone inspections and termite inspections.
Taylor Made Inspections – Home Inspectors in Cincinnati Ohio with 29+ Years of Experience
- Address: Taylor Made Inspections, 4155 Balfour Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45245
- Phone: (513) 621-2188
Taylor Made Inspections has provided home inspection services in Greater Cincinnati for nearly 30 years with over 37,000 inspections completed. The company’s president and chief inspector, Mike Condon, is state certified as a home inspector, radon tester, and pest control inspector. You can count on Taylor Made Inspections to provide dependable Cincinnati home inspections with many types of equipment and technology.
A full inspection includes termite inspection and thermal imaging. If your home inspector can’t walk on the roof, a drone will be used to inspect the roof.
Home inspection pricing:
- Inspection with termite inspection starting at $515
- Condo inspection with termite inspection: $395
- Sewer scope inspection: $250
Map of Cincinnati Home Inspectors
Cincinnati Home Inspection FAQs
How much does a home inspection cost in Cincinnati?
A Cincinnati, OH home inspection usually costs $400 to $500 for an average-sized single-family home. You can expect to pay more for ancillary inspection services and larger homes, but a bit less for a condo or townhouse inspection.
Who pays for the home inspection in Ohio?
The buyer typically pays for the home inspection and chooses the home inspection company.
What does a home inspection cover?
A home inspection is an inspection of the components of the home and visual elements to uncover safety concerns and defects. The inspection covers exterior and interior parts of your home including:
- HVAC system
- Plumbing
- Electrical system
- Roof and gutters
- Foundation
- Appliances
- Attic and crawlspace
- Walls, ceilings, and floors
- Windows and doors
- Basement
Your home is probably the largest and most important purchase you will ever make. Choosing the right home inspector in Cincinnati is the best way to make sure the home you have fallen in love with won’t turn up serious problems and regrets after you close. The good news is all the home inspectors on this list boast 5-star reviews, years of experience, and the in-depth inspection services you need.
Are you getting ready to close on a home or still house hunting? Give us a call at Bell Moving & Storage for a free moving estimate so we can help you get settled into your new home without the stress!
