What is wrong with this picture? New construction, million dollar home in Winter Park. 

How about now?

Using High Resolution Infra Red in every inspection saved this client several hundred dollars in future repairs. This ceiling had been installed, painted, etc, a few weeks before. No stain had developed yet. The plumbing vent stack was only press fit and leaking at the seam. So the repair cost now is less than $5......  

The second one. Very old home, 1914. This home had quite a few upgrades done. New kitchen. New electric , including service panel. New supply piping. I thought this was going to be an easy day, until I crawled under the home.........

The amount of repairs required to this home, (and the one in the other article) will likely fall into the Florida Building Code, Residential (FBCR) definition of “substantial damage”. FBCR, Building Section 1612.2 Defines SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE - Damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before-damaged condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred.

When repairs and alterations amounting to more than 50 percent of the value of the existing building are made during any 12 month period, the building or structure shall be made to conform to the requirements for a new building or structure or be entirely demolished.

There are exceptions for “Historical Structures”. This building had not been so designated. Getting it designated as "Historical" opens an entirely different can of worms. Any repairs/alterations must follow the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (amended in 1992) guidelines.

This past week, I had TWO different homes that had significant structural failures. The first was a late 1970's home. Very desirable location, on a canal. It was being purchased by an out of town buyer, sight unseen. My inspection was critical as they had only seen pictures. My pictures showed a bit more than the advertisement ones.....