Key questions you need to Ask your Home Inspector

Key to success

There are multiple options available for you to consider when you are looking to hire a home inspection service and the most qualified inspector. In some cases, the lender or the real estate agent will recommend a company or certain inspectors that they know of in the industry. It’s important not to feel pressured or forced into choosing from their recommendations, you are hiring the services this gives you the right to choose who you want to hire.

You can easily source information from the internet regarding local home inspection companies that cover the area you are looking to buy your home. When looking through the companies available (there will be many) you will want to select a company that is InterNAHCI certified. It’s the Inter National Association of Certified Home Inspectors that provides all the high quality training and strict guidelines. This is the training that home inspectors need to have undertaken and completed in order to be considered a quality home inspection business.

Once you have found the company you want to use have some questions ready and at hand to put the prospective company to the test. Questions like the ones below are helpful and handy in getting the information you need to make the right decision when it comes to hiring.

  • What amount of time does a typical Home Inspection take?
  • What is the average cost of an inspection?
  • What can I expect an inspector to look over?
  • Are you allowed to attend the walkthrough inspection in person?
  • How long is it after the inspection until I get the detailed report back?
  • Is the inspector you will provide certified and allowed to work within the residential sector?

A professional home inspector should be able to provide you with the information you need in order to make an informed decision, the key to find and hire the best home inspection company with the best inspectors is to be prepared with the right questions before contacting them.

What’s the Point of a Four-Point Inspection?

Do you need a four point inspection

When a homeowner is looking to satisfy the insurance requirements when they are looking at a home owner’s insurance policy, a four point home inspection is required to be carried out. A four-point inspection will cover the key areas of your home that are highly likely to be involved in any type of insurance claim. The insurance company will require a detailed report of the four selected areas to make sure that they are fully functioning and safe in order to give the insurance cover that they can offer.

The inspection would include taking into account the age, the state, or condition of parts and ensuring that they are all in working order. A Home insurance company would not be willing to insure a home that does not pass the inspection and is in poor condition from existing unrepaired damages.

An inspector would do a thorough walk-through and would be looking at the conditions of the property’s electric, roof condition, the AC, and water heater. A professional inspector will be looking for hazards that a home insurance company would not be looking to cover.

A professional company, like CFBI, will carry out a thorough four-point inspection as part of its home inspection services. With only fully licensed and professionally trained inspectors available, CFBI can make sure that your expectations and needs are met every single time they are asked. All inspectors will offer you a detailed report of any inspection carried out. The detailed report will highlight any problems and tell of the best way to go about getting it sorted.

Central Florida Building Inspectors understands the need to give all clients correct advice regarding repairs and replacements.  Giving the best advice and a detailed report can help in getting issues sorted in order for the best homeowners’ insurance policy to be given for that property.

 

Don’t neglect the one thing that keeps you warm comfy and safe… your roof!

Keeping your roof in good condition is very important; let’s be really honest here, how often do you check the roof or do you even check it at all? Most people are too busy with carrying out their other daily duties to think about checking the condition of the roof covering the home.

In fact, the only real check that the roof gets is a quick glance from over the shoulder of the homeowner, who is actually checking to see if the front door closed behind them.

If you make a point of checking your roof regularly, then it means you can keep on top of the little repairs that can arise. Take the time to ensure the correct materials have been used, and the condition of your roof is in good shape. Choose to actively reduce the chances of major repairs becoming a problem with routine checks. Issues that are spotted, as soon as they arise, can be resolved before they become a financial mess.

The condition of your roof is one of the areas during a home inspection that a home inspector will check over meticulously, especially if you are looking to sell your home. For example, if you were looking to buy a home, would you make the financial decision to purchase a home if the roof was caving in and falling apart with water leaking in from all angles? Didn’t think so, as the seller make certain the roof is in great condition to improve the chance to sell it.

The best practice is not to wait until your dining room has turned into an indoor swimming pool, and you and your family are eating breakfast on a float.  Stay on top of the roof’s condition by using your observation skills, and fixing small repairs as needed.

Family Time by the TV

Having a stable roof over your head is essential; it needs to be in good shape in order to keep your family safe and dry, in addition to the fact, a happy home is a shelter protecting family from the weather elements.

What is included in a Home Inspections Report?

Check out your home inspection carefully

When you are looking through suitable properties as a homebuyer, you need to be certain the investment choice you are about to make is a wise one. The only way you can get a clear picture of the home you want to purchase is to request a home inspection. Inspections offer a clear and concise report that you can read over and evaluate.
When an inspector reviews a property, they will be looking out for any signs of structural damage. They will also be checking the age and functioning of major operating systems connected with the structure. Once the review is completed, the inspector leaves a written report with digital photos included for the client to refer to and use as a guide.

A completed report should include information about…

  • The foundation condition
  • The roof condition
  • Accurate evaluation of heating and cooling systems
  • Accurate details about the electrical wiring
  • Any structural issues of significance

When the inspector is doing the walkthrough part of his or her service, it would be good for you, as the buyer, to attend for the few hours it takes. Taking the time to attend a walkthrough allows you to learn the ins and outs of the property, and lets you ask any questions you may need answers to.

Home inspections can vary in cost. This comes down to a few factors like age of the property, size of the property, location, and  specialist services rendered, like water quality inspection or termite inspection.

The good thing about a home inspection is that there is no place for any issues to be hidden. An inspection report can give you negotiating power and assurance that there are not issue the seller has not disclosed. A home inspection is a wise choice of service for anyone looking to buy a home.

Keep your home in Shape and Free of Major Repairs

Keep your tool bag handy

Your home needs to be regularly checked, and maintained in order to keep on top of any repairs. The reason you need to keep on top of maintenance is that you don’t want to neglect issues, which can amount into costly repairs. As the homeowner, you don’t want to be sitting “out-of-pocket” because of problems that could have been prevented.

The guide below is a simple but effective list that if you keep on top of can help prolong and keep your home in good condition.

Are gutters clean and do you regularly check them?

It is the gutters job to collect rain from the roof and direct that water away from the house. If gutters are blocked by debris, then you are going to have an issue. Water will not be able to drain correctly due to the blockages. The blocked water gathers and overflows onto the ground, flooding the surrounding area. The soil soaks up the excess water and your home’s foundation is put at risk. Homeowners can often find leaks in their basements, and in some cases, cracks in the foundation structure.

 Keep your eyes open for mold growth.

In rooms that have high levels of moisture like the bathroom and kitchens, keep an eye out for mold. A simple scrubbing brush, hot water, disinfectant, and even white-distilled vinegar can help kill and clean mold spores before the growth escalates and causes serious damage.

Check electrical wiring and appliances.

Depending on when the home was built will determine if you need to have the electrical wiring replaced because of it being outdated, and a health, safety, and fire risk. Electrical fires spread easily and get out of control at a frightening rate. You also don’t need the structural damage that comes with an electrical fire.

These are simple ways of keeping on top of a few areas around your home and keeping it free of major repairs. The best way to get a professional evaluation of your home would be to hire a home inspection company; an accurate report is exactly what you need to get the correct repairs carried out and keep your home in good shape.

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