What is a Home Inspection?

Why do I need a Home Inspection?

What does a Home Inspection include?

Do I need to be there during the Inspection?

How long will the Inspection take?

Does a newly constructed home need an Inspection?

Why cant I do the Inspection myself?

What if the Inspection uncovers problems?

Will you fix the problems you find during the Inspection?

What is a Home Inspection?  Back to top

A home inspection is a professional and complete visual examination of the all the systems and physical structural elements of a home. Our emphasis is on identifying existing or potential problems that would affect a purchasers buying decision as well as inform them on potential issues down the road, maintenance items, and what to look for should trouble signs begin to appear while they own the home.

Why do I need a Home Inspection?   Back to top

A home is the largest purchase most people will ever make. It only makes sense to find out as much as you can about the house you are interested in before you buy. That way you can avoid costly surprise repairs and problems with your new home. Our report will also advise you of what maintenance is required to keep your home in top condition. A professional inspection will give you a clear picture of the many systems and structural elements that make up the property. If you are selling your home, a listing inspection will point out any potential problems that might be uncovered later by the buyers inspector. Finding them early will allow you to address them before listing your home, making for a faster and smoother sale.

What does a Home Inspection include?   Back to top

Our standard inspection report covers all the major systems and structural elements of the house. This includes the condition of the homes heating and air conditioning systems, plumbing and electrical systems, roof, foundation, attic and visible insulation, walls, doors, windows and all visible structures. In addition we offer over a dozen other types of inspections such as Mold, Environmental, Pool & Spa, Boat Docks, Sea Walls, etc. We can add as many of these optional inspections as you feel you may need. Please let us know at the time you order your Home or Commercial Inspection. For a complete list of our services please go here.(Click on link provided).

Do I need to be there during the Inspection?   Back to top

No, you are not required to be there for the inspection. But we highly recommend that you be present at least for the last 15-30 minutes or so if not during the entire time. Its a valuable learning experience for most people and will help you get the most benefit from the inspection. By following the inspector you can ask questions directly and the inspector can explain maintenance tips for specific areas. We feel youll be able to best understand the finished report and get the most benefit from it by having been there during the inspection. In addition to the above reasons, we need to have Our Inspection Agreement signed prior to us being able to relaese the report to you or your representative. Further as a way to say THANK YOU and in appreciation of your valuable time to be with us during all or part of the inspection we would like to award you with our FREE Limited Home Warranty (currently this only applies to buyers or sellers of residential resale units - owner occupied). In order to receive this FREE Limited Home Warranty you, our client, must attend at least part if not all the inspection and we must be paid at the time of the inspection.

How long will the Inspection take?   Back to top

The time will vary depending on both the size and condition of the home. For most homes, 3 hours is pretty typical. But for larger homes, or homes in poor condition, it may take longer.

Does a newly constructed home need an Inspection?   Back to top

Absolutely. A professional inspection of a new home is important. We can spot potential problems early, while they are still easy to correct. Its especially valuable to arrange an inspection before the interior walls are finished. As building professionals, we may find problem areas where the builder has taken shortcuts or not done good work. Each year I inspect a handfull of homes while actually going through the construction process (Phase Inspections) I have found many items that needed correction by the builder, some were even cited by the local code enforcement authorities, county or city, essentially stopping the construction of the building until corrected. Further as many of my clients will testify, even after the home is built and while still under the 1 year builder warranty, I can still find construction defects (generally these homes were not inspected during construction by an independent home inspector, knowledgabale with building code and practices) on a home that should the builder warranty period expire, would have cost them hundred if not thousands of dollars out of their pocket to correct

THIS IS A GIANT - ALL TO COMMON MISTAKE - MOST PEOPLE THINK A NEW HOME CANNOT HAVE CONSTRUCTION DEFECTS IN/ON IT - NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH and truthfully, sorry to say, but mass produced homes (production builds) generally can contain more mistakes than a custom home or homes built when there was not a real estate boom going on. Generally due to lack of supervision, or undertrained workers due to the lack of skilled workers in general, or both.


Why can't I do the Inspection myself?   Back to top

Chances are that even if you are very familiar with home construction, you still don't have the knowledge, training and experience of a professional Home Inspector. We've inspected thousands of homes. We are not only familiar with all the systems of a home, and how they work and need to be maintained, but we also know what to look for to tell us that they are getting ready to fail. I've inspected personal homes for Real Estate Attorney's, Builders, Real Estate Agents, Brokers, Mortgage Brokers, Licensed Plumbers, Electricians, Roofers, and even Professional Engineers, alot of times their knowledge is greater than mine in one or more specific areas of the home, though they've all stated I've done an exceptional job for them and found things in other trade areas they would not have known to look for.  But beyond the technical expertise and experience a professional inspector brings, it is important to remember that the inspector remains an impartial third party. If you are involved in buying or selling a house, it's impossible for you to remain completely unemotional about the house, and this may cloud your judgment.

The professional independent inspector will provide an objective outside (neutral party) reporting of the facts. We perform no other trades related work for pay, therefore we are not going to try to sell you a roof, or replumb your house, etc., when you don't need it.

What if the Inspection uncovers problems?   Back to top

Our report will tell you the condition of the house, including needed repairs or simple maintenance items, as well as the good points of the home. No house is going to be perfect and therefore we will NOT report on the cosmetic condition of items. It is up to you to decide how any problems the inspection uncovers might affect your decision to purchase. If major problems are discovered, you may want to try negotiating with the seller to have them repaired before closing the deal. Or perhaps the seller will lower the price, or offer more favorable contract terms. These are generally areas where your Realtor can be of service. In the end, the decision rests with you, but knowing about potential problems, before you buy, gives you the power to negotiate and make the best decisions.

Will you fix the problems you find during the Inspection?   Back to top

No. The code of ethics of The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and others like Florida Association of Building Inspectors (FABI) prohibits its members from doing repair work on properties they inspect, generally for a period of a year or two after the inspection. This assures that there will never be any conflict of interest by the inspector. Our purpose is to provide an unbiased, objective third party report on the condition of the home.

As a final note - Here in Florida, as in many other states, General Contractors (Building Contractors) can and often do Home Inspections, (You may ask anyone your thinking of hiring if they are a contractor, general or otherwise), and while most contractors are generally well intentioned, knowledgeable and honest, with most even providing additional benefits, like estimated quotes for repairs, remodel plans, etc. There will unfortunaltely always be those whose primary purpose to do the inspection for you will be to be able to provide other repair services, EVEN WHEN THEY MAY NOT BE NEEDED.

This sometimes comes as a substantially reduced initial inspection fee or even a FREE inspection provided all work or repairs as a result of the inspection go to the Contractor as a condition of the initial inspection.  BE CAREFUL !  YOU MAY NOT NEED THESE REPAIRS, ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE EXTENSIVE. LASTLY YOU MAY NOT BE ALLOWED TO GET OTHER QUOTES FOR THE WORK AND THEN YOU HAVE TO WONDER ABOUT THE INSPECTOR/CONTRACTORS CONSTRUCTION/REPAIRS SKILL LEVEL OR IF HE/SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN YOUR CONTRACTOR OF CHOICE - SHOULD YOU HAVE ONE.