Home inspections highlight any major or systemic issues that risk the safety and structural integrity of the new house. Once those issues are corrected, odds are you’ll recoup any monies spent via reduced repair/replacement costs, reductions in homeowners insurance premiums, and improved whole-home energy efficiency.
Home Inspections Identify Issues Needing Immediate Attention
There are several different home inspection options to choose from. The building inspector will recommend which inspection makes the most sense based on the age and condition of your home and in alignment with your goals.
Protect Your Investment
Ultimately, a home inspection protects your real estate investment because you learn valuable information about which home features need attention now and which ones can wait a bit longer. For a new homeowner, this can mean a savings of tens of thousands of dollars depending on what the next years entail.
For example, the roof may not look so bad from the outside. If the roof deck is rotted from previous leaks or storm damage, it could collapse during the next storm season. Where a roof replacement would have cost you at the outset, failure to replace the dilapidated roof now means paying out-of-pocket for roof replacement costs and replacement costs for any other structural or interior features damaged as the result of the roof collapse.
Also, in that scenario, your homeowner’s insurance carrier may fail to settle the claim or will slash their reimbursement check because your failure to have a professional home inspection violated the insurance policy agreements. Read How to Lower Your Insurance Premiums for more on that topic.
Even seemingly smaller items on the home inspection list, such as verifying the integrity of your plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems, eventually save you money in terms of improved energy efficiency and reduced risk of leak or fire damage in the future.
Common Issues Found During Home Inspections
Here are some of the most common issues we find when performing post-sale home inspections.
Outdated roofing system
Asphalt shingle roofs have an average lifespan of about 15 to 25 years, depending on the quality of materials and labor and whether or not the homeowners performed recommended annual inspections and maintenance. An outdated roof contributes to:
- Water leaks
- Moisture issues
- Structural decay
- Solar heat gain
- Compromised safety of the occupants
Scheduling the repair or replacement of a new roof is the most common recommendation for most older homes.
Wind mitigation
Wind mitigation innovations and strategies have come a long way in the past couple of decades. Florida homeowners and insurance companies take wind mitigation seriously when it comes to protecting a home’s investment.
Read 10 Key Elements of a Wind Mitigation Inspection to learn more about what we look for and the types of features that protect homes from repeat or excessive seasonal storm and high-wind damage. We’ll make suggestions about which features need to be amended and which features are worth installing to bolster your home against high winds.
HVAC system
The HVAC system plays a crucial role when it comes to whole-home comfort and indoor air quality. In addition to maintaining your preferred thermostat settings, the air ducts must be in good condition, without any separations or cracks. The system should be designed to maintain recommended indoor humidity levels (45% to 55%).
Outdated HVACs or poorly designed duct systems need an overhaul. These repair or replacement costs pay for themselves over the lifetime of the new and improved unit via reduced utility spending. Plus, you’ll appreciate a home that circulates clean air, and that is free from the musty smell of old moldy ducts and vents.
Insulation updates
Any home that experiences roof leaks or moisture issues typically needs insulation updates or complete insulation replacement. If your home is more than 15 to 20 years old, updating insulation ensures your home meets current Florida state energy efficiency recommendations.
While inspecting attics, exterior walls, and crawl spaces, the inspector also learns whether or not your home is harboring pests or needs mold/mildew eradication. You may also benefit from the installation of vapor barriers that create additional protection from moisture.
Plumbing and electrical systems
Were your home’s plumbing and electrical systems built to code? An inspection of interior wall spaces, attics, and basements is the only way to tell for sure. First and foremost, properly designed and installed plumbing and electrical wiring are essential for your family’s overall safety.
As with the roof example we gave above, any leaks or fire damage that occurs due to poorly installed or outdated plumbing and electrical systems means forgoing a settlement from the homeowner’s insurance company. They depend on a home inspection to prove your home is worth insuring. If you wait too long and issues arise, you are 100% responsible for financing the repairs.
Protect Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy
Once your post-report inspection is complete, we provide a professional inspection report with a clear list of items that need to be addressed in order of their priority.
Failure to repair or replace essential systems or home features can jeopardize the safety of your household and puts you at higher risk for severe storm damage, structural collapse, and other unnecessary home repairs. Without addressing critical repair and replacement recommendations, you also risk:
- The continuing growth of mold, mildew, or rot that destroys structural materials
- Wasting money on sky-high utility bills that could have been reduced with a few simple energy-efficient improvements
- Years or decades of unnecessarily high maintenance and repair bills for home systems that could have been updated or replaced from the start
- Overpaying for your homeowner’s insurance policy
Schedule Your Home Inspection Before It’s Too Late
Once you’ve moved into your new home, it’s easy to let a home inspection slip down the list of things to do. That’s exactly why you should schedule the inspection today.
Super Inspection Pros guarantees 24-hour turnarounds. Once we’ve established which home inspection package makes the most sense for your needs, we’ll perform our inspection and leave you with a professional, final report. The inspection report, and proof of repair/replacement for relevant items, should be sent right over to your homeowner’s insurance carrier to reap the benefits of an instant premium reduction.
Did you opt to waive a home inspection for your last home purchase? No problem. Contact Super Inspection Pros, and we’ll be there in 24 hours or less. In addition to helping you save money over the lifetime of your home, our inspections and the resulting home repairs and improvements provide Volusia County homeowners with peace of mind.
