If you’re buying a home in Denver, one of the first questions you’ll ask is:
“How much does a home inspection cost?”
After inspecting more than 1,250 homes across the Denver metro and Front Range over the past five years, Thomas Kelsey a Certified Professional Inspector and CCI Combination Code Inspector I can tell you the honest answer is:
It depends — but there are clear, predictable factors that drive pricing, and knowing them upfront helps you budget smartly and avoid costly surprises.
My Background (So You Know Where This Advice Comes From)
I’ve been inspecting homes in Denver for five years and hold certifications from both:
- InterNACHI (Certified Professional Inspector)
- International Code Council (ICC)
Colorado does not license home inspectors or enforce a minimum standard of practice, which means experience and credentials matter more here than in many states. I follow established professional standards and focus on thorough inspections.
What a Standard Home Inspection Costs in Denver
I price inspections based on three primary factors:
Square Footage
Larger homes take more time and involve more systems.
Age of the Home
Denver has a huge inventory of older housing stock — including 100+ year-old homes — which typically require deeper evaluation due to outdated wiring, plumbing, foundations, and structural modifications.
Travel Time
Travel time matters, especially for Front Range were rapid growth has caused congestion.
Most Denver-area buyers should not expect a travel fee but those who need specialty inspections or return trips to pick up testing equipment may have to pay for that time.
But the inspection itself is only part of the total investment.
What’s Included — and Common Denver Add-Ons
Your base inspection covers all major visible systems: structure, roof, exterior, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and interior components.
However, many Denver homes benefit from additional services. Here are the most common upgrades and what they typically cost:
- Radon Testing: $155-$200
- Sewer Scope: $175- $250
- Mold Testing: $350–$550
- Infrared Imaging: $50-$150
- Private Well Inspection: $350-$500
- Pools / Spas: $100
- Water Quality Testing: $275
- Rental Inspections: $175-$200
These aren’t gimmicks — they address real risks unique to Colorado housing.
Denver-Specific Factors That Affect Inspection Cost
Several local realities drive both inspection pricing and inspection value:
🏠 Older Housing Stock
Many Denver homes were built before modern electrical, plumbing, or foundation standards.
🕳 Crawl Spaces
Common in this region and often neglected — but frequently where major issues hide.
🚗 Travel Time
Front Range geography alone can add significant inspection time.
These variables directly affect how long an inspection takes, how detailed it needs to be and any return trips needed.
Real Case Examples: When Inspections Pay for Themselves
Here are two very common scenarios I see:
Case #1: Radon
Radon testing typically costs $165–$200 in our area.
About 50% of homes without mitigation systems test above EPA recommended levels.
Mitigation usually runs $1,500–$2,000.
That $165 test routinely saves buyers thousands — or gives them negotiation leverage before closing.
Case #2: Sewer Lines
Sewer scope inspections cost $150–$250.
A cracked sewer line can exceed $10,000 in repairs.
If sewage backs up into the home? That number can easily double.
I’ve seen buyers skip sewer scopes to save $175 — only to inherit five-figure repairs months later.
Why Cheap Inspections Often Cost More Later
Here’s a hard truth about Colorado:
Home inspectors are not licensed, and there is no mandatory standard of practice.
Low-cost inspections often mean:
- Inexperienced inspectors
- Rushed appointments
- Incomplete evaluations
- No formal inspection standards
I always advise clients to ask any inspector:
“What standard of practice do you follow?”
If they can’t answer clearly, that’s a red flag.
Market Conditions Matter
In strong real estate markets (like Denver frequently experiences):
- Top inspectors book out quickly
- Objection periods shrink
- Buyers feel pressure to rush decisions
When qualified inspectors are busy, supply-and-demand applies. Quality costs more — and waiting too long can limit your options.
How Denver Compares to Other Front Range Cities
The inspection price itself doesn’t vary dramatically between Denver, Boulder, Aurora, or Lakewood.
The real difference is add-on availability and pricing:
- Licensed radon professionals are harder to find outside the metro
- Sewer scopes in Colorado Springs often cost 50% more than the Denver Metro Area and 2x or 3x in the Colorado Mountains.
Denver buyers generally have better access to bundled services at more competitive rates.
My Professional Recommendation
If you ask me directly:
“What should I realistically budget for a quality home inspection in Denver?”
My answer:
👉 Budget about $8,00 to 1,000 total
That typically covers:
- A comprehensive home inspection
- Radon testing
- Sewer scope
If you must skip something, radon can technically be tested after purchase — but you lose the ability to negotiate mitigation costs during the transaction.
Personally, I’d never skip a sewer scope on a Denver home.
Final Thoughts
A home inspection isn’t just another closing cost.
It’s risk management.
When you consider that a few hundred dollars in testing can uncover five-figure problems, the math becomes simple.
Choose experience.
Ask about standards.
Budget appropriately.
Your future self will thank you.
