Roofing
When examining the roof the inspector will look for issues such as damaged shingles, missing shingles, and water spots. They’ll also make more general observations about the state of the roof such as its age, shape, and the type of covering material used.
HVAC
During their inspection of the HVAC, your inspector will make note of the type of heat source, what fuel it uses, and whether or not it was professionally installed. Here they’re mostly interested in making sure whatever HVAC system is installed is appropriate for the size of the home.
Electrical
With the electrical system, your inspector will document the types of wiring used and the make of your main electrical panel. They’ll also keep an eye out for hazards such as loose wires, corrosion, blown fuses, and improper grounding.
Plumbing
Your inspector will inspect your plumbing carefully looking for signs of leaks. They’ll then make note of the general condition of fixtures and appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and toilets. The age and condition of the water heater will be taken into account here as well.
Are Any Of These Issues Disqualifying?
Individually, most of these issues are permissible. Insurance carriers are looking to get an overall picture of the status of the home and they’ll base their decisions on many factors. Each carrier will also have different standards for what they consider acceptable. That said, there are some issues that are major red-flags for most insurance carriers. These include:
- Roofs past a certain age
- Outdated/unsafe electrical panels
- Faulty wiring
- Lack of central air
What Happens If You “Fail” A 4 Point Inspection?
So, what should you do if your home doesn’t meet the standards of your insurance carrier? Your first step should be discussing the inspection report with your real estate agent. Most of the time, you can work the requested repairs into your contract. The seller can choose to subtract the repair cost from the cost of the home or perform the repairs themselves. This is not a legal requirement, however, so if the seller isn’t cooperative your options are going through with the deal and paying for the repairs yourself or walking away.
You could also take your chances with another insurance carrier, but your coverage was probably denied for a very good reason the first time. Even if you were able to get insurance elsewhere, the issues will still be there and they are likely to come back to haunt you. The bottom line here is that you need a 4 point inspection before buying any home, and you should always take the results seriously.
At Super Inspection Pros our licensed inspectors have years experience performing efficient 4 point inspections. Our deep understanding of different insurance carriers allows us to tailor your report to get you the best possible results. Please, contact us today to learn more about our inspection process or to schedule an inspection of your home.
