by CFBIBlog | Apr 1, 2020 | CFBI Blog
Buying or selling a home is one of the most exciting, and important, moments in your life. You are embarking on a new journey - possibly starting fresh.
Before you embark on the new chapter, get a home inspection to satisfy proper standards. These are the seven important questions to ask a home inspector.
1. Who Should I Consult With Next?
If the home inspection finds any problems, ask who you should talk to next. Home inspectors have a broad understanding of all aspects of home construction. They’re usually well rounded.
Their recommendation will dive deeper into the issue. An expert may even find out the problem isn’t as bad as the home inspector originally thought.
2. What Would You Do?
It’s a powerful question to ask a home inspector because you’re giving them the floor to be open and honest. Ask them what problems you should prioritize and if they are safety concerns.
3. How Long Will the Roof Last?
The condition of the roof will be in a home inspector’s report, but ask how many years are left until you need a replacement.
If you are buying a house, see if the sellers will lower the asking price for a roof at the end of its lifecycle. If you’re selling a house, factor fixing the roof into your asking price.
4. Is the Home Well Insulated?
Houses in colder climates & very hot ones need to have excellent insulation. This affects not only your comfort but your costs.
A well-insulated home will retain heat or cool better and keep your utility bills lower in the peak months. Homes that need new or additional insulation should have the price to reflect these needs.
5. What is the Home’s Structural Strength?
Does the home have a solid base and bones? The inspector can help you point out weaknesses in a foundation or cracks in the walls.
Different cracks and sizes can mean different things. A house that is settling isn’t nearly as bad as foundational issues. Get a second opinion from a specialist to determine further action.
6. Is the Plumbing Stable?
No one wants to live in a home with leaky pipes. If sections of the waste plumbing are galvanized or cast iron pipe, get a quote to replace it with new PVC pipes.
Ask about water pressure. Low pressure means there could be leaks in hidden places. This will cause lots of damage and water bills.
7. Did You Find Evidence of Mice or Termites?
The sign of one mouse can mean an infestation. Make sure there’s a solution to eliminate vermin before moving into a home.
If the home inspection reports evidence of termites, the problem has to be solved before any transactions take place. Termite damage can be hidden behind drywall out of sight.
Don’t Skimp on the Questions to Ask a Home Inspector
Whenever you aren’t sure about something, don’t skimp on the questions to ask a home inspector. Even if they don’t have the answer, they can point you in the right direction.
Get the inspection and be on your way to a new exciting journey.
If you’re in need of the best home inspectors, contact us today.
by CFBIBlog | Feb 3, 2020 | CFBI Blog
Selling an older home has its disadvantages. Sometimes homeowners have to invest a lot of money to bring the home up to code.
Rules are in place to protect home buyers and mortgage lenders. The goal is to ensure a home isn’t being sold with hidden problems. We often hear about termite inspections but there is a long list of things that are covered under a home inspection.
Home purchases require homeowner insurance. Insurance companies can be hesitant about issuing a new policy if the home doesn’t pass a 4 point inspection.
Are you a home seller or buyer looking for information on what is a home insurance inspection? Keep reading to learn more about four-point inspections and why they are required.
What Is A 4 Point Inspection?
A 4 point inspection is an inspection that insurance companies can require of a homeowner when writing a policy. It differs from a buyer’s inspection which is an extensive inspection of a home during the home buying process.
The buyer’s inspection addresses a clause in mortgages that allows a buyer to back out of a home sale if there are significant issues uncovered. The homeowner and buyer can negotiate terms in the purchase contract and still move forward with the purchase.
With the 4 point inspection, the insurance company will not write the policy if the home fails in designated areas.
A home buyer cannot substitute the buyer’s inspection. The insurance company will only accept a 4 point inspection form covering the following areas.
- Electrical
- HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
- Plumbing
- Roofing
Some insurance companies provide the form they want to be completed.
Who do You Hire?
If you are in the process of buying a home and you’re hiring a professional home inspector, ask if they can also provide the 4 point inspection.
In cases where you are seeking new homeowner insurance, contact a home inspector to see if they provide the service. Most inspectors can do this for you, or you can hire a real estate inspection company that provides the service.
The only other option is to hire contractors in each area to do separate inspections. This could cost significantly more money.
It is important to understand that the insurance company will only accept inspections from licensed certified contractors. Do not risk a denial by having a friend sign-off on the form.
Don’t Do Nothing
It is important to note that if you need a new policy and refuse to get the inspection, your mortgage company can place forced insurance on your home.
This insurance can come at a high cost and not offer terms beneficial to the homeowner.
Don’t Lose Your Dream Home
A 4 point inspection may seem like a nuisance, but it is a small blip in the full scheme of things. If you’ve found the home you really love, do what it takes to satisfy the insurance company.
If you are in central Florida looking to get an inspector, we want to help. Click here if you are ready to schedule an appointment or have questions.
by CFBIBlog | Aug 11, 2019 | CFBI Blog
In 2018, tropical cyclones cost the United States $30.4 billion in damages. This seasonal natural disaster is often responsible for the most wind damage per year.
Of course, it’s not the only source of wind damage. Tornadoes and even thunderstorms are other culprits. Tornadoes alone caused $672 million in economic losses.
That’s why wind mitigation inspections are so important before you buy a new home. Your insurance company may ask for them if you live in an area that experiences these weather patterns.
To find out what a wind mitigation inspection entails, check out the guide below.
What Is a Wind Mitigation Inspection?
A wind mitigation inspection is when a licensed inspector evaluates wind-resistant features on a property. These features help protect a home during storms.
Some states require wind mitigation inspections and some do not. Even if not required, it’s wise to have this inspection done is the property is located in an area where storms occur often.
What Is Inspected?
A wind mitigation inspection can be carried out by an official inspector, a licensed contractor, an engineer, or an architect. Sometimes an inspection team will have more than one of these people come out to inspect the home.
These professionals will examine the roof, how the roof is secured to the walls, windows, doors, garage doors, general construction, when the home was built, and water resistance.
The professional will check all points of potential wind damage that could be inflicted by a major storm.
What Is the Purpose of an Inspection?
Every year, news outlets report millions and billions of dollars worth of damage due to storms. There’s nothing we can do to prevent the storms, but there are things we can do to prevent the damage.
There’s no way to know how susceptible a property is to wind damage without a wind mitigation inspection. Not only will the inspector tell you the weak points in your home, but they will give you suggestions for how to fix them.
How Much Does the Inspection Cost?
Thankfully, a wind mitigation inspection does not cost an arm and a leg. On average, it should cost less than $100.
Usually, however, homeowners and potential homeowners combine this inspection with a general home inspection. We offer a discounted rate for the wind mitigation add-on if done in conjuction with a general home inspection.
What Are Wind Mitigation Credits?
The best part of a wind mitigation inspection is that your insurance company might reward you for your efforts. These rewards are given through wind mitigation credits.
If your home has more protection, the insurance company will have discounts available. You can have a huge chunk of your hurricane or wind premium discounted.
Finding Inspection Services
Wind mitigation inspection is a smart prevention strategy. Even if you already own the home, this inspection can illuminate weak points in your home and allow you to improve them before a disaster occurs.
The price of the inspection is cost-effective when you consider the potential to save. Your insurance company can even reward you for your efforts.
To find the best wind mitigation inspectors in the Orlando area, don’t forget to stop by our page.
by CFBIBlog | Jun 28, 2019 | CFBI Blog
Radon can damage your lung cells and cause cancer. Due to the fact that radon can be the cause of a fatality, this would be the number one reason you should do radon testing at your new home.
Your new home is a place where you should feel safe. If you are worried about an odorless, colorless gas wreaking havoc on your body — that won’t be a possibility. Continue reading this article for further reasons why you should call and schedule a radon inspector.
Reasons to Do Radon Testing Before You Buy
While you can do radon testing after you buy the home, it is better to know what you’re dealing with before you make a purchase. The only way to tell if there is radon in your home is through inspection so don’t be misled otherwise.
1. Peace of Mind
If there is one thing that you can’t put a price tag on, this is your peace of mind. Fearing for your safety and the safety of your family will cause stress and could lead to stomach ulcers and other challenges.
Having a radon test done on your property will alleviate the fear of radon so you can go back to enjoying your new residence. This naturally occurring radioactive gas isn’t picky about where it decides to show up since it is found all over America — including Florida.
2. Quick Setup
You don’t have to worry about someone being in your house all day and derailing your plans. A radon test takes only a few minutes to set up, and the professional will be out of your home and will need to return a few days later to pick up the radon test.
3. Thorough Testing
Over the next 48 hours, the test will be in place checking for traces of radon in the residence.
4. Immediate Results
Once the professional comes back and picks up the test, you will know your results almost immediately. After the test, depending on the results, you will be able to take the appropriate action.
What to Do If Your Home Has Radon Gas?
If the testing is done and shows there are traces of radon — don’t panic. It can be scary to know your home has radon gas in it even if the levels aren’t high.
While you can do some things on your own like sealing the foundation and improving your home’s ventilation, the EPA recommends working with a qualified radon mitigation contractor to fix the problem with your home.
The process all starts — and ends with a test. Once you’ve worked with a professional to fix your home and get rid of the radon problem, that means it is time to get another test.
You can’t be sure that your home is safe without doing another test after the fix, so don’t skip this step.
Learn More About Radon Testing
Now that you understand the importance of radon testing, you can learn more about our services on our website. If you have further questions about what we do and how we can help you, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 407-658-8267
by CFBIBlog | May 4, 2019 | CFBI Blog
We’ve all heard facts about water. The human body is made of 70% water. You can’t live without water for more than three days.
The bottom line is that water is essential to the human body. However, obtaining clean, drinking water is in a whole other ballpark. Many people in third-world countries struggle with this dilemma and get sick with diseases such as cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and polio.
That’s where wells come into play. Well water can be used for a wide variety of purposes, from livestock watering and chemical spraying to drinking water. Knowing the suitability of your well water for your needs is a critical component in making the correct decision as to how to test your well water.
During the process of buying a home with a well, some lenders will require the water to be tested for potability. The FHA (Federal Housing Administration) and VA (Veterens Affairs) are two lending institutions that will require this as part of the loan process.
After reading this article, you should know how to tell your well water is safe.
Well Water Quality
As mentioned earlier, knowing what you are going to use your well water for is the first component in your well water assessment. After this, it’s time to know what to test for. While different risks exist for varied living areas, making sure to test for the following risks is critical:
- Potability - one of the most comprehensive tests available. This test checks for nitrates, pH levels, iron, manganese, and more.
- Coliform bacteria - comes from animal digestive tracts and is often found in waste. Harmful variations such as the E. coli 0157: H7 can be dangerous to human health.
- Nitrate - commonly found in groundwater. Can pose threats to babies who are under 6 months since nitrates interfere with the ability of blood to carry oxygen.
- Ions - include sodium, iron, chloride, which can impact the taste and smell of water
- Sulfate - can act as a laxative which leads to dehydration
- Fluoride - can lead to long-term dental and thyroid issues
- TDS (total dissolved solids) - don’t pose any health risks related to drinking water but can corrode pipes faster than usual and impact other uses like washing clothes.
- Others - specific potability tests can test for dangerous compounds like arsenic and uranium.
While this extensive list can seem intimidating, it should motivate you to run tests on your well water. Hopefully, these tests have shown you how serious it is to have clean drinking water.
How to Test?
Testing well water in regular increments ensures that you know what you’re drinking. After all, you are what you drink.
The minimum time increment for well water tests is once per year. If you have a shallow well, a regular seasonal test is recommended as well since these are more inclined towards contamination.
Testing the right source is also equally important. The tap and the source are the two locations to test. Doing so will make sure your treatment system is working correctly.
Where to Test?
Here at Central Florida Building Inspectors, we proudly provide well water testing for homeowners and for homebuyers. Have one of our certified home inspectors visit your property and collect the water and deliver it to a qualified laboratory. The results will be available in a few days for most tests but can take up to 2 weeks depending on the type of well water analysis.
Getting in touch with a building inspector can get you connected to credible water testing providers.
Closing the Tap
There you have it! Checking your well water quality doesn’t have to be hard. As you follow these tips, you should be good to go.
For all your other inspection service needs, make sure to check our website out.
by CFBIBlog | Apr 25, 2019 | CFBI Blog
Are you due for a home inspection? Preparing for one can be stressful, especially if you’re not sure what to expect from a home inspection. The good thing, however, is that home inspections aren’t all that scary as long as you study up.
What to Expect from a Home Inspection?
Want the ins-and-outs of what to expect during your inspection? We can help you take the guesswork out of your home inspection with this handy checklist of what to expect on the big day.
Roof and Attic
Your roof and attic are some of the primary things an inspector will check during your inspection. He or she will evaluate the overall integrity of your roof, as well as any water damage or damage that may have been done to your shingles and flashing.
If you have an attic, they’ll make sure that the space is properly insulated and ventilated. The attic inspection will also help them catch any water damage that may prove you have roof issues. This can also help them catch if your home has any mold problems.
Foundation and Lot
Your inspector will check your property’s foundation for cracking and shifting, and confirm whether or not water is properly draining away from your foundation. Part of this process will also involve them inspecting your basement, floor structure, and any crawlspaces your home may have.
Knowing if your home has foundation issues is incredibly important given how expensive fixing them can be. By completing a comprehensive inspection, you can identify any potential problems that could result in big financial costs in the long run.
Additionally, the inspector will inspect your property lot for proper drainage and grading. They’ll also check out the walkway and driveway.
Electrical and Heating/Cooling
Home inspectors don’t just look at the outside of your home. They also look at everything going on inside your property, including electrical. They’ll make sure everything like your electrical outlets, lighting fixtures, and switches are working, and that everything electrical is up to code and safe.
They’ll also test your entire HVAC system. Which means they’ll examine your air ducts and air conditioning systems, as well as your furnace for any integrity issues. With their help, you’ll be able to determine the state of your systems, and if you need any replacements.
Structural Elements
Beyond the exterior structure of your home, the inspector will look at the structural elements within. They’ll check your doors, windows, and floors for any visible structural issues like a bowing structure or poor window alignment.
Appliances and Plumbing
Did you know home inspectors check appliances for fire safety and other issues? That means they may look at your refrigerator, dishwasher, and other built-in appliances to make sure they’re working correctly.
They’ll also inspect your plumbing systems like water pressure and the functionality of items like your sink, bathtub, and shower. They’ll look for any unusual noises or water pressure issues that may signify a bigger problem.
In Need of an Inspection?
Knowing what to expect from a home inspection is half the battle in preparing for one. By keeping this checklist in mind, you can determine how much your property is in need of an inspection.
Have you noticed any issues in these areas? Want some peace of mind, or expert feedback on the status of your home? Contact us to schedule an inspection today!
