Frequently Asked Questions for Home Inspection Clients
A home purchase is likely one of the biggest investments you will ever make. A thorough inspection, done by a licensed, trained, and EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL inspector helps provide the information you need to make an informed investment decision.
The process sometimes sometimes takes three hours or more, depending on size, age, and condition of the home and any additional services (Wind Mitigation, 4 Point, Pool, etc.) provided.
Normally THE SAME DAY.
The goal of a home inspection is not just to inspect the property, but also to talk with my client about the condition of the property. This is better achieved if you are present at the time of the inspection. You don't need to be there for the entire thing, but typically it works best if you show up towards the end. So, two hours after the start time is usually sufficient.
There will be no need for you to climb on the roof, get in the attic, etc. Just be present where we can easily communicate.
By being there, you will have the opportunity to:
Prior to the inspection, please prepare a list of any questions or concerns you may have about the property, and communicate those issues to me in advance to ensure they will be properly addressed (and that any necessary special arrangements can be made).
Please bring your list to the inspection as well.
You can sign it in three different ways:
Print and sign and mail it back.
Print it, sign it, scan it, and email it back.
Or.... electronically by following the link in the e-mail. (certainly the easiest)
During the course of the home inspection, we will explain the condition of the property. You will also be provided with a detailed report and a summary to help you make an informed purchasing decision.
Your report is an easy-to-read and navigate HTML document, detailing the condition of the home's major components (such as heating, air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, roofing, etc.). It will contain representative sample photographs of those components. It is easily converted to a PDF if you wish to print it. It also has other features to allow you to configure the data to make it more personalized for your needs.
First off, it is probably not the end of the world. Every home has something... new homes that have never been lived in included! Some are major and some are minor.... most are just Homeowner Maintenance items. Remember that a Home Inspector is a Generalist... much the same way that your family Doctor is a General Practitioner. There may be occasions where referral to a specialist (licensed electrician or dermatologist, for instance...) will be warranted. Whatever the case may be, we will discuss the issue with you and advise on a course of action.
To assist you in this portion I have included (at the top of the page) a list of vendors. I am not in any financial agreement with any of these people. They are people that I either know personally, have worked with, or have seen their work and I know that they do a job that would meet my standards.
We have years of experience and levels of training that most of the other inspectors in the area cannot match. My goal is to give my client the most thorough, objective, and comprehensive inspection possible. Both of our inspectors are Veterans and have a level of integrity that is very hard to come by in this day and age.
Both of our inspectors, Jim and Bo, are Registered Professional Inspectors with the Florida Association of Building Inspectors.
As a Florida Association of Building Inspectors (FABI), Registered Professional Inspector and a American Society of Home Inspectors, (ASHI) Certified Inspector, we are trained and certified to meet the highest industry standards. We meet or exceed the Standards of Practice designated by FABI, ASHI, and the State of Florida. We are Certified Residential Thermographers and have over thirty years of experience in Thermographic Imaging. You will not find many inspectors in the USA with that level of technological experience.
State Certified Home Inspector HI8396 and HI12197
FABI Registered Professional Inspector #0833 and #0947
ASHI Certified Inspector #258588
Certified Residential Thermographer #2014061902 and #2019091318
State Certified WDO Inspector #JE283875
International Assn of Certified Indoor Air Consultants # IAC2-05-1848
National Swimming Pool Foundation Certified Pool / Spa Inspector™ #CPI-585767
North American Deck And Railing Assn. Certified Deck Evaluator
Realtors Assoc. of Lake and Sumter County, Affiliate
Wood Destroying Organism (WDO inspections conducted as an employee of Custom Pest Solutions)
Wind Mitigation
Insurance 4 Point
Mold Inspections and Sampling
Home Wellness/Warranty
Leak Detection
Roof Inspections
Sewer Scope
Florida Statute 627.711 REQUIRES insurance companies to offer premium “discounts, credits, or other rate differentials” for certain hurricane resistance features.
I inspect seven specific construction items in the home and report them on the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation form. The form is to be submitted to your insurance company and evaluated for credits. Most often, homeowners save hundreds of dollars annually through these discounts.
Technically, you cannot “Fail”. The Wind Mitigation is not really a pass/fail type of inspection. It is simply an inspection that determines if you get the State Mandated credits. However, some significant defects can be found during the inspection. If defects are found, I will discuss them with you to determine the best course of action.
Most insurance companies require an inspection of the major components of a home, once it reaches a certain age. Some insurance companies require them for any home over 30 years, some for considerably newer homes.
Unlike the Wind Mit, you can “fail” the 4 Point in the eyes of the insurance companies. That does not mean that you cannot get homeowners insurance, just that you may have to use a different insurance company, make repairs, or upgrades prior to using your original company. For example; when I bought my home, the wiring was very outdated and unsafe. I was able to get insurance with the condition that I upgraded my electrical system within a period of time. I had budgeted for that and now my 100 year old house has an all new electrical system.
These inspections are done for existing homeowners. I have done them for people that wanted to list their home for sale and wanted no surprises. I have done them for Out of Town owners that rent out their property and need an unbiased inspection to determine the material condition. I have also done these for homeowners that are nearing the end of their Builders Warranty period, to allow a comprehensive list of discrepancies to be repaired by the warranty provider before the warranty runs out. These inspections are almost identical to a regular home inspection.
The base price for an inspection starts at $300. However, the price structure varies considerably, dependent on the square footage of the home, age, features, and the additional services provided. Please call (352) 530-7343 and we will discuss the features of the home and give you a customized price quote.
As a veteran, I have a great deal of respect for anyone that is willing to go into harms way for the sake of others. Also for people that selflessly teach our youth. For that reason, I am happy to give a discount to Veterans, Teachers, and First Responders.
- Why should I have a professional home inspection?
A home purchase is likely one of the biggest investments you will ever make. A thorough inspection, done by a licensed, trained, and EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL inspector helps provide the information you need to make an informed investment decision.
- How long does an inspection take?
The process sometimes sometimes takes three hours or more, depending on size, age, and condition of the home and any additional services (Wind Mitigation, 4 Point, Pool, etc.) provided.
- How long before I receive my report?
Normally THE SAME DAY.
- Do I need to be present during the inspection?
The goal of a home inspection is not just to inspect the property, but also to talk with my client about the condition of the property. This is better achieved if you are present at the time of the inspection. You don't need to be there for the entire thing, but typically it works best if you show up towards the end. So, two hours after the start time is usually sufficient.
There will be no need for you to climb on the roof, get in the attic, etc. Just be present where we can easily communicate.
By being there, you will have the opportunity to:
- See the condition of each key component throughout the house and property firsthand, helping give a better understanding of the home and of the resulting inspection report.
- Ease any concerns about findings which may seem distressing on paper but are in fact superficial. For example, I might explain that an electrical circuit breaker is improperly sized. This sounds very bad, but many times the homeowner/client can replace it for just a few dollars.
- Have all of your questions and concerns addressed immediately as they arise.
Prior to the inspection, please prepare a list of any questions or concerns you may have about the property, and communicate those issues to me in advance to ensure they will be properly addressed (and that any necessary special arrangements can be made).
Please bring your list to the inspection as well.
- What is the Pre-Inspection agreement and why is it important?
You can sign it in three different ways:
Print and sign and mail it back.
Print it, sign it, scan it, and email it back.
Or.... electronically by following the link in the e-mail. (certainly the easiest)
- How will the inspection help me determine the condition of the home?
During the course of the home inspection, we will explain the condition of the property. You will also be provided with a detailed report and a summary to help you make an informed purchasing decision.
- What is included in a home inspection report?
Your report is an easy-to-read and navigate HTML document, detailing the condition of the home's major components (such as heating, air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, roofing, etc.). It will contain representative sample photographs of those components. It is easily converted to a PDF if you wish to print it. It also has other features to allow you to configure the data to make it more personalized for your needs.
- Something is wrong! What do I do now????
First off, it is probably not the end of the world. Every home has something... new homes that have never been lived in included! Some are major and some are minor.... most are just Homeowner Maintenance items. Remember that a Home Inspector is a Generalist... much the same way that your family Doctor is a General Practitioner. There may be occasions where referral to a specialist (licensed electrician or dermatologist, for instance...) will be warranted. Whatever the case may be, we will discuss the issue with you and advise on a course of action.
To assist you in this portion I have included (at the top of the page) a list of vendors. I am not in any financial agreement with any of these people. They are people that I either know personally, have worked with, or have seen their work and I know that they do a job that would meet my standards.
- Why should I choose PITI over a local competitor?
We have years of experience and levels of training that most of the other inspectors in the area cannot match. My goal is to give my client the most thorough, objective, and comprehensive inspection possible. Both of our inspectors are Veterans and have a level of integrity that is very hard to come by in this day and age.
- What are my Qualifications?
Both of our inspectors, Jim and Bo, are Registered Professional Inspectors with the Florida Association of Building Inspectors.
As a Florida Association of Building Inspectors (FABI), Registered Professional Inspector and a American Society of Home Inspectors, (ASHI) Certified Inspector, we are trained and certified to meet the highest industry standards. We meet or exceed the Standards of Practice designated by FABI, ASHI, and the State of Florida. We are Certified Residential Thermographers and have over thirty years of experience in Thermographic Imaging. You will not find many inspectors in the USA with that level of technological experience.
State Certified Home Inspector HI8396 and HI12197
FABI Registered Professional Inspector #0833 and #0947
ASHI Certified Inspector #258588
Certified Residential Thermographer #2014061902 and #2019091318
State Certified WDO Inspector #JE283875
International Assn of Certified Indoor Air Consultants # IAC2-05-1848
National Swimming Pool Foundation Certified Pool / Spa Inspector™ #CPI-585767
North American Deck And Railing Assn. Certified Deck Evaluator
Realtors Assoc. of Lake and Sumter County, Affiliate
- What other inspections do you do?
Wood Destroying Organism (WDO inspections conducted as an employee of Custom Pest Solutions)
Wind Mitigation
Insurance 4 Point
Mold Inspections and Sampling
Home Wellness/Warranty
Leak Detection
Roof Inspections
Sewer Scope
- What is a Wind Mitigation inspection and how does it help me?
Florida Statute 627.711 REQUIRES insurance companies to offer premium “discounts, credits, or other rate differentials” for certain hurricane resistance features.
I inspect seven specific construction items in the home and report them on the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation form. The form is to be submitted to your insurance company and evaluated for credits. Most often, homeowners save hundreds of dollars annually through these discounts.
- What if I fail the Wind Mit?
Technically, you cannot “Fail”. The Wind Mitigation is not really a pass/fail type of inspection. It is simply an inspection that determines if you get the State Mandated credits. However, some significant defects can be found during the inspection. If defects are found, I will discuss them with you to determine the best course of action.
- What is an Insurance 4 Point inspection?
Most insurance companies require an inspection of the major components of a home, once it reaches a certain age. Some insurance companies require them for any home over 30 years, some for considerably newer homes.
- What if I fail the 4 Point?
Unlike the Wind Mit, you can “fail” the 4 Point in the eyes of the insurance companies. That does not mean that you cannot get homeowners insurance, just that you may have to use a different insurance company, make repairs, or upgrades prior to using your original company. For example; when I bought my home, the wiring was very outdated and unsafe. I was able to get insurance with the condition that I upgraded my electrical system within a period of time. I had budgeted for that and now my 100 year old house has an all new electrical system.
- What is a Home Wellness/Warranty inspection?
These inspections are done for existing homeowners. I have done them for people that wanted to list their home for sale and wanted no surprises. I have done them for Out of Town owners that rent out their property and need an unbiased inspection to determine the material condition. I have also done these for homeowners that are nearing the end of their Builders Warranty period, to allow a comprehensive list of discrepancies to be repaired by the warranty provider before the warranty runs out. These inspections are almost identical to a regular home inspection.
- What does a professional home inspection cost?
The base price for an inspection starts at $300. However, the price structure varies considerably, dependent on the square footage of the home, age, features, and the additional services provided. Please call (352) 530-7343 and we will discuss the features of the home and give you a customized price quote.
- Are there any discounts?
As a veteran, I have a great deal of respect for anyone that is willing to go into harms way for the sake of others. Also for people that selflessly teach our youth. For that reason, I am happy to give a discount to Veterans, Teachers, and First Responders.
