Absolutely. Radon testing is one of the cheapest, highest-value pre-purchase inspections. A $150 test can prevent buying into a $1,500-$3,000 mitigation surprise, or position you to negotiate the cost into the deal.
More detail
Pre-purchase radon testing is included in roughly 70% of Columbus-area home inspections by buyer choice (not contract requirement). The ROI math: a $150-$300 test catches a problem that costs $1,200-$3,500 to fix; the cost differential is almost always passed through as a seller credit or seller-installs-before-closing concession. Even on a passing test (under 4.0 pCi/L), the result becomes part of the buyer's file and informs maintenance decisions later. EPA's Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon is the authoritative document on transaction-time testing protocols and contingency-clause language. Most Columbus realtors who specialize in older neighborhoods (Clintonville, Bexley, Grandview Heights) include radon testing in their standard inspection package because pre-1950 stone-basement homes test high consistently. Columbus realtor coordination: most realtors who specialize in Clintonville, Bexley, German Village, Grandview Heights, and the older near-north neighborhoods include radon testing as a standard line item in the home-inspection package because pre-1950 stone-basement housing in those neighborhoods tests high consistently. Confirm the test is professionally conducted (not just a charcoal kit handed to the buyer) for lender-acceptable documentation.