Full Home Inspections
A full home inspection covers all of the bases and gives you a comprehensive report on both the strengths and weaknesses of a home you are considering buying. A whole home inspection will look at the structural integrity of the main dwelling, the roofing system, and of garages and detached structures.
It will also include a close look at the wiring, plumbing, AC and heating system, landscaping, foundation, windows, doors, safety features vs fire hazards, and more.
This is a non-nonsense, comprehensive look at the condition of the home you propose to buy. Normally, you have to have a contract and earnest money down before you are allowed to have access for a home inspection – but you can get out of the contract and recoup your earnest dollars if you cancel due to something discovered during the inspection.
The 4 Point Inspection
In many cases, a 4 point inspection is sufficient and is all that a homeowner’s insurance company or mortgage company will be concerned about. Four-point inspections investigate a building’s four major systems: roofing, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC.
These are the “big four,” the major components of a fully functioning home that are more prone to problems than anything else. Thus, if nothing else, it makes sense to at minimum get a 4 point inspection done before finalizing a home purchase.
Wind Mitigation Inspections
In many parts of Florida, you would do well to also get a wind mitigation inspection on your existing home or on your prospective new home.
Verifying that the building can withstand high winds – especially in a coastal or wind-prone part of the state, can earn you wind-mitigation credits, which translate into dollars saved on monthly homeowners’ insurance premiums.
WDO Inspections
WDO (wood destroying organism) inspections carefully check for signs of an infestation (or damage from a current/past infestation) due to termites or other wood-destroying creatures.
Both subterranean and dry wood termites are checked for in a WDO inspection, as are powder post beetles. In drier areas or anytime you suspect termites might be a problem, it’s good to get the peace of mind that a WDO inspection can bring.
Infrared Inspection Technology
Some inspection companies will offer or automatically include the use of infrared technology during a home inspection. An infrared inspection uses thermal imaging to see things otherwise invisible and hidden – in a 100% non-invasive way.
Infrared technology lets you see underneath shower tiles, above ceiling stains, and into dark crevices to reveal problems with moisture, ventilation, or insulation that would otherwise go undetected.
There are several major types of home inspections to consider when buying a home, and it’s important to know when each one is needed. To learn more, or for a free inspection quote, contact Super Inspection Pros in Central Florida today!
