The 4 point inspection is one of the market’s most standard home inspection options. They are used in very specific circumstances. As the name implies, a 4-point home inspection evaluates the four most significant home systems:
- Roof
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- HVAC
Not coincidentally, those same systems are the areas that home insurance carriers are most concerned about. Issues or home damage resulting from malfunctions or failures in one of these systems are the most costly to repair or replace.
Common Reasons For a 4 Point Inspection
Here are four common reasons you would need to have a 4-point inspection done on your home.
1. You’re Requesting Home Insurance Quotes
All homeowner’s insurance carriers want proof that your home’s systems are up to date before they agree to insure you or offer you rate quotes. Proof comes in the form of a 4-point home inspection report from a licensed home inspector, or the homeowner must provide proof in the form of repair, replacement, and maintenance documents issued by licensed contractors and technicians.
By and large, insurance carriers prefer home inspection reports because their unbiased, organized, detailed, and accurate. The results of the report can make or break your ability to get homeowner’s insurance or to obtain affordable rates. However, in a worst-case scenario, where you were declined coverage or rates are higher than expected, addressing the most important items (and providing proof of the work to the carrier) makes you eligible for coverage as well as more affordable premium rates.
2. You Haven’t Done Much Maintenance On Your Older Home
It’s easy for daily life tasks to swamp all of the “need tos” and “should dos” on the ‘to do” list. As a result, months and even years may pass by before homeowners take care of routine home maintenance items. If you’ve put minimal maintenance into your home in the past 5 to 10 years, a 4-point home inspection is a good place to start.
After the inspection, you’ll receive a detailed inspection report. The report clearly lists which items are “acceptable” but includes anything that should be done to optimize or update what we find. You’ll also know which items have been noted in the “red flag” or “needs immediate attention” categories.
That report is the starting point for whatever licensed contractor you hire to begin updates or to outline your own DIY punch list. And don’t forget to provide proof of the work to your insurance carrier to see if you qualify for reduced rates.
3. You’ve Inherited a Home
If you’ve recently inherited an older home, a 4-point inspection is a minimal investment that provides invaluable information about any necessary repair, replacement, or maintenance steps. While you do not have to go through the same steps as a homebuyer, it’s important to know what work – if any – is needed once you move in. Depending on what clients find, they often decide to cash in on the sale of the inherited property rather than fund any necessary repairs.
Also, as referenced above, the homeowner’s insurance company will request proof of an inspection or recent maintenance, repair, or replacement documents before signing off on a new coverage policy since they don’t transfer policies from one homeowner to another.
4. Your Home is For Sale (or You’re Planning to List it)
Home sales are another situation where a 4-point inspection is imminent. Most homebuyers want a home inspection to know what they’re getting into. The report results help them determine what price to offer or what credits they may request from you.
If your home is more than 25 years old, or you fall into the above category of not maintaining your home as per the manufacturer’s instructions, you may want to schedule a 4-point inspection for personal research purposes. The results inform you and the seller’s agent ahead of time so there are no surprises.
Depending on the inspection report results, your real estate agent may have suggestions about work worth doing before you list the home or repair/closing credits you should offer in the real estate ad. Providing a copy of an inspection with desirable results is also enticing to prospective buyers who appreciate not having to order and pay for their own inspection.
6. You’ve Noticed a Few Red Flags of Your Own
Sometimes, a home is screaming for a home inspection in the form of critical red flags. If you notice any of the following, odds are there are more things in need of repair or replacement:
- The breaker trips regularly – This indicates that wiring or outlets are faulty or the breaker panel is overloaded. Electrical issues are one of the leading causes of house fires, so this should be addressed ASAP.
- Evidence of sewer line problems – A home old enough (or poorly built) to have evidence of sewer line issues inevitably has issues with other home systems.
- Issues on the roof or in the attic – Have you noticed things like missing shingles, a sagging roof line, or does the attic bear evidence of leaks, insulation damage, pest damage, or poor ventilation? A roof inspection is a must-have, so you might order a 4-point home inspection instead to learn more about other potential structural issues during the same appointment.
- Water tends to pool around the foundation after storms or heavy irrigation periods – Grading and foundation issues can seriously compromise the foundation. This leads to several other potential risks to the building’s structural integrity, like rot caused by mold and mildew colonies.
- Musty smells or evidence of leaks/water damage – In some cases, you may not need a full 4-point home inspection. If, however, there are signs of moisture damage or leaks in multiple areas – particularly on exterior walls or where the ceiling meets the wall – a general home inspection is a smart idea.
If you notice these or similar items, a 4 point inspection is wise. It will cover all of the major bases in terms of your home’s major systems status.
If we notice anything specific, we’ll recommend additional inspections that might be helpful, like an infrared inspection for suspected moisture damage or a wind mitigation inspection to ensure your roof and structural systems are ready for the next batch of high winds or storms.
Schedule Your 4 Point Inspection With Super Inspection Pros
Did one of these reasons you’d schedule a 4 point inspection ring a bell with you? If so, call Super Inspection Pros at 386-279-0802. We’ll schedule your inspection with one of our local, Inter-NACHI-certified home inspectors and have a completed inspection report in your hands within 24 hours.
