by CFBIBlog | Jan 4, 2022 | Home Inspection
Did you know, according to a study from Repair Price, the average home inspection report finds around $11,000 worth of needed repairs? Doors that need adjusting made up the most common repair on the list. An average of 55 percent of homes had doors that needed an adjustment!
Are you planning on buying or selling a home? One essential step in the home buying/selling process is the home inspection.
Having an inspection before you sell or buy a home can help you avoid the hassle of fixes later. Regardless of whether you’re buying or selling, this home inspection checklist can help you make sure you and your professional inspector hit all of the essential home inspection points.
Foundation
Foundation issues promise costly repairs down the road. The most obvious foundation red flag for a home inspector is cracking. The foundation may crack or you could see cracks in the walls or floor.
A foundation may also sink or settle. Some settling is normal, especially for a newer home. However, if you notice one side of a home is much lower than the other, this is a bad sign for the foundation.
Exterior
How does the exterior of the home look? You can swap out cosmetic issues like paint colors or paving stones easily but deeper damage requires more time and money to fix. Your home inspector should look closely at major concerns like the condition of the roof, the siding of the house, and the chimney (if applicable).
Additionally, don’t forget to check the landscaping. Pools or large puddles of water may indicate drainage issues. If there’s a septic tank, be sure to check on that as well.
Interior
Here are some major points about the interior to hit during a house inspection:
- Proper insulation
- Proper operation of all windows and doors
- Checking attic and/or basement for termite damage
- Signs of water damage on walls and floors
- Appliances in working order
- Any leakage from sinks and showerheads
These are all in addition to doing a slow walk-through of the house to assess the general appearance of the inside of the home.
Plumbing/HVAC
When assessing the plumbing and HVAC, you can ask yourself or your home inspector the following questions. Does the hot water work from each faucet in the house? Do any pipes leak either under the sinks or in crawl spaces?
Does each vent in the house produce sufficient airflow? Do both the cooling and the heating functions work? Have air filters in the A/C units been changed recently?
Electrical
The final step in your home inspection checklist is the electrical components. Exercising great caution, your home inspector will check out the condition of the electrical systems of the house. Do all of the outlets work?
Are there any exposed wires in the house? Do you know where the service panel is? Do any of the breakers or fuses appear to be over-heating?
Start Checking Off Your Home Inspection Checklist
As you and the home inspector you hire go through this home inspection checklist, you’ll ensure that everything in the home is functioning properly and in top condition to buy or sell. If you live in Central Florida and are planning on buying or selling, check us out at Central Florida Building Inspectors. All of our inspectors are state-licensed and certified to offer you the highest quality of home inspection available.
Contact us today for more information!
by CFBIBlog | Oct 4, 2021 | Home Inspection
Did you know the buyer’s market is so intense these days that buyers are putting in some really over-the-top offers? Portland real estate agent Esty Perez recalls a bidding war where one party put in a bid over the asking price and sweetened the deal with added high-value cryptocurrency. In such a competitive market, you want to make sure you’re getting what you deserve as a buyer. That’s why a home inspection contingency is so important when you’re putting in an offer, big or small.
But what is a home inspection contingency exactly? And is it really worth the effort of adding it to your offer?
We’re here to fill you in. Keep reading below to learn why you should consider a home inspection contingency when submitting a home offer.
What Is a Home Inspection Contingency?
A home inspection contingency is a clause written into a purchase offer that allows the buyer to back out of the deal if the inspection goes poorly. Essentially, a contingent offer of any kind is one that’s dependent on the results of the specified contingency.
Benefits of a Home Inspection Contingency
A home inspection contingency allows you to evaluate any major or minor issues before you follow through with your purchase. This can be essential, especially in older homes where issues are often more prevalent.
A home inspection is often also required if you’re working with a loan provider. Most lenders won’t offer financial assistance without a completed home inspection.
A home inspection contingency also gives you a little more wiggle room to negotiate with the sellers. Once the report returns, you’ll have the chance to request repairs. For homes that have been on the market for a long time, this can be a great chance for them to make some snappy repairs and finally close the sale.
A home inspection contingency also gives you a chance to back out of the sale. After the pre-purchase home inspection has been completed, you’ll have the chance to withdraw your proposal within a certain window of time.
It will also give you more insight into what to expect when you’ve moved in. What repairs will you have to make on your own? What areas of the house can you leave alone and leave as-is?
Benefits of a Home Inspection Contingency
Buying a home is a stressful process, so to prevent any hiccups after the sale has closed, it’s important to add a home inspection contingency to your offer. With the guide above, you’ll be able to decide whether a contingent offer is right for you!
Looking for a qualified company to inspect your new home before purchase? The team at Central Florida Building Inspectors is here to help.
We offer everything from complete home inspections to thermal imaging to mold testing. Schedule an appointment with one of our state-licensed inspectors today to get started!
by CFBIBlog | Aug 26, 2021 | Home Inspection
Imagine it, you’ve hired a company to build your new home, and everything is in place except the drywall. You want to be done, to have the last layer put in place so you can relax in your new home. Yet, rushing to get drywall on can be a mistake.
For example, over 35 percent of respondents in a survey reported electrical problems in their homes. These respondents probably wish they had taken one more step before declaring their home finished.
Pre-drywall inspections are crucial if you want to know about any structural issues in your home. If this interests you, don’t click away. This article will highlight 4 reasons to hire a pre-drywall inspector.
1. Pre-Drywall Inspections Can Discover Plumbing Issues
If you aren’t worried about plumbing issues in your new home, think again. Countless American homes suffer from damaged plumbing, and a mere leak can cost up to 200 dollars annually.
Rushing to get your house’s drywall done can hinder any attempts at fixing damaged plumbing. This is why it’s crucial to consider a pre-drywall inspection, as they can detect plumbing damage before any commitments are made.
2. They Can Also Find Faulty Wiring
Bad electrical wiring isn’t an uncommon problem. And it is one that will cause you an immense amount of irritation down the line.
A pre drywall inspection report will tell you if all your outlets and lighting are working properly.
A lot of new homeowners find themselves worrying about pre-drywall inspection costs. If you’re one of them, know that there are affordable options. So don’t hold off any longer!
3. An Inspection Will Evaluate Structural Integrity
The last thing you want after applying drywall is for the whole house to come tumbling down. When shoddy materials are used in construction, things can go wrong fast.
A pre-drywall inspection can evaluate whether your home’s builders skimped out on necessary materials.
4. They Will Also See if The Building Is up to Code
As sad as it is, many contracted companies can and will make mistakes while building your home. This could be something as simple as a misaligned doorframe, to something more severe, like improperly laid foundations.
When your building isn’t up to code, it can cost you a lot of time, money, and effort. One of the benefits of a pre-drywall inspection is that it can determine if there are any issues in your home due to shoddy building.
An Inspection Can Save You Time and Money
Many people every year fail to get Pre-drywall inspections. The issue is that prematurely declaring the job done can be disastrous for you and your family.
Going over a pre drywall inspection checklist is a crucial step in becoming a homeowner. They’ll alert you if there are any significant issues with your home, like bad plumbing or wiring.
If you want to make sure your home is in it for the long haul, then don’t put off hiring a pre drywall inspector. If don’t know where to start, make sure to contact Central Florida Building Inspectors! We have the knowledge needed to make sure your home is safe!
by CFBIBlog | Jul 8, 2021 | Home Inspection
Did you know mold can make its way into your house through open doorways and even via your pet?
Mold in Central Florida homes is more common than you realize. If you think you have signs of mold in the house, it’s time to call in the experts.
But finding the right mold inspection company in you area can be hard. Before you decide, it’s important to know what your options are.
Check out our guide for everything to consider when hiring a mold inspection company.
Mold Inspection Experience
Choose a mold inspection company that has experience. That way, you can take comfort in knowing you are dealing with a specialist in the industry.
The best way to do this is to check out the company’s website and take a look at what their specialist mold services are.
They should provide a detailed description of all their services. This should include a visual inspection, mold testing, and sampling services. Beware of mold testing companies that offer clean up services as well. They may have other interests besides your health.
And don’t be afraid to ask questions. Inquire about their training, qualifications, and certifications they have to conduct mold inspections.
Online Customer Reviews
Whenever you hire a service you should read the reviews first. They are a great indicator of the quality of service the company provides. Reviews are usually honest and should help you form your decision.
Read the company’s responses to reviews. Do they respond well to feedback? Or, do they react in an unprofessional manner? If they’re positive and receptive to feedback, they may be a good choice.
It can also help to ask around, especially if people you know have used their services. Gauge insight into how they felt and whether they would recommend their services.
Mold Inspection Equipment
Choose a mold inspection company that takes necessary precautions. This includes the health and safety of their customers and employees. So don’t be afraid to ask if their equipment and products are certified.
The use of improper equipment and techniques can agitate mold and cause it to spread further. This can become a bigger and more costly problem to deal with.
Mold Inspection Fees
Comparing inspection fees is a good way to narrow your search to suit your budget and needs. Mold inspection fees can vary from company to company. But there should be standard pricing you can use for comparison.
Most companies will state their starting prices and rates online upfront. And give you the option to request a free quote.
Keep in mind that a cheap service doesn’t mean they will provide the best quality service. It’s important to consider all aspects of hiring a mold inspection company. This will help you to make an educated decision.
Find the Right Mold Inspection Company Today!
If you think you have mold in the home, it’s important to take care of the problem fast. Avoid risk to the health of you and your loved ones.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to call a mold inspection company. At Central Florida Building Inspectors, we offer many mold services. These include mold inspections, mold tests, and indoor air quality services.
If you’re in the Greater Orlando area, schedule your mold inspection today.
by cfbi1 | May 7, 2021 | Home Inspection
CFBI has collaborated on a blog entry for Redfin. Check it out here: https://www.redfin.com/blog/thing-to-know-about-home-inspection/
by CFBIBlog | Apr 19, 2021 | Home Inspection
A balcony may look sturdy, but how can you know for sure if it has not been inspected?
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), over five years, a quarter of a million people were injured due to balcony failures in the US. 15% were due to balcony railing and structural failure or collapse.
Does your commercial property have a balcony? If so, it is time you have a balcony railing inspection. Balcony safety is essential for commercial buildings, after all.
Read on to learn the benefits of routine balcony inspections.
Adhere to Balcony Railing Specifications
Your commercial building needs to meet your state building codes. The Florida Building code has balcony and railing specifications. It includes details such as railings height and spacing guidelines.
If your property is old or a new-build, do not presume the balcony meets specifications. Balcony inspections will ensure you avoid significant fines and prosecution. If you are building a property, get advice from professionals to meet specifications.
There are other codes, such as the International Residential code, that you may need to abide by. Save the time of research and inaccurate measuring with professionals. Also, sometimes regulations change, so you keep up to date with routine inspections.
Identify Areas of Deterioration
Balcony inspections will find areas of deterioration and make sure they do not get worse. Your balcony is exposed to the elements, so over time, it can decline, even to the point of collapse.
During inspections, you will be given potential solutions to prevent further decline. Maybe you need to waterproof your balcony or include drainage.
Sometimes older balconies have nails instead of secure fastening. A balcony railing will need bolts. It is details like this that a balcony railing inspection will identify.
Save Money with Maintenance
You need regular commercial building inspections to prevent expensive costs down the line. It might be easy to ignore a loose railing now, but problems can increase and become more costly over time.
It is the same with rusting and other deterioration that can become costly. If issues become dangerous, you could also be liable for any risks or injuries.
Ensure Balcony Safety
And most importantly, balcony inspections will prevent injury and protect everyone’s safety. Your balcony may appear secure, but there are specifications for a reason. So, protect all users and your wallet.
It is unbelievable how spacing, and balcony railing height, can make such a difference.
Get a Balcony Railing Inspection
Commercial buildings need attention to prevent deterioration. Do not forget your balcony!
Get a regular balcony railing inspection for your peace of mind and the safety of everyone. Always ask for evidence if told there have been balcony inspections. If you do not have evidence, have an inspection!
A regular inspection every one to two years will keep your balcony up-to-date with specifications. But make sure you go with a reputable company.
At Central Florida Building Inspections, we offer commercial building inspections you can rely on. Contact us today to find out more.
