Verified record
Typical Greater Boston range for this kind of work, from regional averages — not a quote from Clayton Home Inspection, Inc.. Use it to sanity-check bids, then get the real number in writing.
Firms price in size tiers, not per foot — pick the bracket.
Estimated range
$530 – $760
Typical inspection around $650
One Clayton Home Inspection customer had Tom Herbst inspect a new construction build three times: before drywall to check the framing, again before moving in, and once more before the builder's one-year warranty ran out, according to a March 2026 review. The Maynard company says it is run by owner Thomas Herbst, an ASHI member. The state registry shows his Massachusetts home inspector license as active. Google shows 4.9 stars from 86 ratings, and its BBB page carries an A+. Many of the people who hire him are first-time buyers. A May 2026 buyer said the report came back quickly enough to build a request list for the seller on a tight timeline. A February 2026 buyer of an older two-unit house said Tom went through everything from the basements to the attics, and contrasted him with a previous inspector who left without saying so. In an April 2025 review, a buyer said Tom reviewed all the recordings afterward to make sure nothing was missed. A June 2024 reviewer gave 4★, saying the long list of issues can overwhelm a first-time buyer and it helps to ask him which ones are serious. An April 2026 buyer gave 1★, saying Tom overlooked many defects in the house they bought, including a leaking radiator air vent and ten doors short by 3/4" to 1 1/2".
I had a fantastic experience working with Thomas for my home inspection. He was incredibly thorough, detail-oriented, and took the time to walk me through everything in a way that was easy to understand without being overwhelming. What really stood out was how thoughtful and practical he was—not just pointing out items, but helping me to understand what actually mattered from a safety, maintenance, and long-term perspective. As a first-time buyer, that made a huge difference in how confident I felt moving forward. His report was extremely detailed, well-organized, and delivered promptly, which helped me quickly put together a clear and reasonable request list for the seller within a tight timeline. Beyond the technical side, he was also just great to work with—patient, responsive, and clearly very knowledgeable. You can tell he takes pride in what he does. I would absolutely recommend Thomas to anyone looking for a thorough and trustworthy home inspector!
Thomas was very professional and thorough. He inspected the property at Framingham and did an excellent job explaining everything clearly. He was on time, detail-oriented, and easy to work with. I would highly recommend Clayton Home Inspection to anyone looking for a reliable and knowledgeable home inspector in the area. 5 stars!
As first time homebuyers we were looking for an inspector that could explain his findings thoroughly and give us concrete suggestions. Thomas Herbst was excellent to work with; his expertise and keen eye came highly recommended, and his suggestions were incredibly helpful. He made sure to ask about our specific concerns and answered every question we had while walking through the house. Thomas was thorough in his inspection and explained everything he saw, which made the final report much easier to understand. He was also very quick with the turnaround time, providing a clear and professional report. We recommend Thomas to anyone searching for a professional and experienced home inspector!
Purchasing a home and the mortgage required an inspection. Contacted Tom to perform the inspection - he answered promptly, set up the appointment easily. Day of the inspection, he showed up on time and really took the time to do a thorough job. Stopped and explained everything that was a concern. I really felt that he was looking out for my best interests. For the actual report, it was concise, factual and focused on the information I needed. My second home purchase in 20 years and not likely to need another inspection anytime soon, but if I did, Tom would be my very first phone call.
Tom was not thorough or diligent. He overlooked many defects in a house we bought recently. He ignored the following: a leaking radiator air vent...ten doors that are too short on the height by 3/4" to 1 1/2"(SUBSTANTIAL GAPS,WAS THERE THICK CARPETING IN PLACE PREVIOUSLY?)...six defective-cloudy window thermal panes & some are severe-blatant that ANYONE can see...one was even cracked in the bathroom...there is no heater/radiator in the small bedroom upstairs...there is an electrical outlet that is sunk into the wall...the asphalt driveway has an outlandish/severe bump/hump in it...he would not inspect even one wall to see if it was insulated or not...all he had to do was remove the cover plate & check with a flashlight....easy & quick. There is no ceiling light in the big living room. I had to be proactive in asking him to confirm some things including a visual check to see if the roof ridgeline was bowed or not. Tom didn't care but he's friendly.
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1 change recorded — last scanned Jul 6, 2026.
A guided tour of the house, not a checklist5.0
Thermal imaging and drone use4.8
Pre-listing inspection that turned up unknown issues3.2
Historic and antique home inspections3.2