The value of a home inspection is almost incalculable. I don't like seeing a home buyer opt out of an inspection because of the cost. I charge $300 for homes 1,500sq ft or less plus 10 cent a sq ft above that. Discounts are given for inspections of homes 15 years old or newer. This is done, not because it's less important, but newer homes often have less problems to investigate that older homes. A home inspection, written as a contingency to the Offer To Purchase, is a tool to be used by the buyer of a home to negotiate the mitigation of problems found during the inspection. This often times saves the buyer hundreds of dollars in home repair expenses. I like clients to be involved with the inspection process. By the time we're done with the inspection, you'll know as much, if not more about the house you're buying than the current owner.