The Inspection Add-Ons People Skip and Probably Shouldn't

A standard home inspection covers a lot, but it doesn't cover everything, and the extras people skip are sometimes the ones that would've told them the most. Here's a rundown of the add-ons worth actually considering instead of waving off to save a few hundred dollars.

Sewer scope. A camera gets sent down the clean out pipe at the house which connects to the main sewer line to check for cracks, root intrusion, or anything which may cause you problems down the road. This is especially relevant in older Portland homes with original clay pipe. This is one of the most commonly skipped inspections and also one of the most expensive problems to discover after closing. A sewer line replacement is not a small check to write.

Radon testing. Radon is odorless, invisible, and depending on the area, more common than people assume. A test is inexpensive relative to the peace of mind it buys, and if levels come back high, mitigation systems exist and aren't as dramatic or costly as the word "radon" makes it sound.

Oil tank sweep (and soil samples). Older Portland homes sometimes have a decommissioned oil tank buried in the yard from decades past, and if it wasn't properly removed, it can become a real liability, especially if it's leaked. A sweep can confirm whether one's down there before it becomes your problem instead of the seller's.

Structural or foundation specialist review. A general inspector will flag concerns, but if something looks genuinely questionable, a specialist's deeper look is worth the extra cost before you're guessing at the scope of a potential issue.

Lead-based Paint or Asbestos testing. If you have smaller remodeling projects in mind to do on your own, you will want to know what is in the walls before you disturb them for you and your families safety. There are very real and signfician health hazards to be aware of before you start opening up walls.

None of these are required, and not every home needs every add-on. But skipping all of them to save a bit of money upfront on what's likely the biggest purchase of your life is a specific kind of savings that can come back to bite you later. Worth a conversation about which ones actually make sense for the specific house you're buying.