Home Inspection Basics
There are many issues to consider when hiring a real estate or property inspector. Depending on your concern or goal, you can choose from wide number of inspection types. In addition to what type of inspection you need, you should also make sure you are hiring a certified inspector who is qualified in the specific standards of practice for any given inspection type.
- Hiring a home inspector in Florida
- General Residential Real Estate Inspections
- Targeted Residential Home Inspections
- Commercial Property Inspections
Hiring a home inspector in Florida
When hiring a property inspector, the first criteria is to make sure they are certified through a reputable organization. One of the largest and most well respected certification programs is from the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI), who uses a rigorous testing process, continuing education requirements and extensive standards of practice to ensure NACHI certified inspectors are fully qualified. Additionally, in Florida, we have special challenges that many other parts of the country do not, so it’s also important the real estate inspector you choose is licensed in Florida and well-versed in the Florida building codes and standards.
At Tyson Home Inspections, we take certification and standards of practice seriously. In addition to being a NACHI certified home inspector, Mark Tyson is an expert in Florida building code with more than 30 years of experience as an inspector and general contractor in the Sunshine State. We are licensed in Florida and active members of the Building Officials Association of Florida, the premier organization in the state devoted to protecting homeowners through education and professional development.
- Find out more about the expert home inspection qualfications, certifications and experience of Tyson Home Inspections.
General Residential Inspections
Simply put, a home inspection is a non-invasive visual examination of a residential dwelling designed to identify material defects. Components of a property inspection can include:
Structural
Electrical
Plumbing
Other essential systems or portions of the home
Home inspections help provide an overall evaluation of the current visible condition of the home, but do not offer a prediction of future conditions. Home inspectors will issue an Inspection Report, which is a written account of the condition of the components specified by the client. In some cases, inspectors may provide recommendations for monitoring or correcting certain conditions.
- Want to learn more? Find out what a complete home inspection from Tyson includes
Inspections for buying or selling a home
One of the most important services offered by home inspectors is when you are buying or selling a home.
Inspections for home purchases – Since one of the biggest investments most people ever make is the purchase of a home, it’s critical that you know what you’re getting for your hard earned money. If you’re in the market for real estate in the Palm Beaches or Treasure Coast, a good home inspection can help you select the best option and give you increased confidence when negotiating.
Inspections to help sell a home – In today’s tough real estate market, being proactive with a home inspection can help you sell your property faster. By listing your home as “move-in certified,” you are more likely to attract serious buyers and better offers than comparable properties in your neighborhood or development.
Four point insurance inspections
To obtain homeowners insurance on an older home you are buying, or to upgrade or change insurance coverage on your existing home, many insurance agents and companies doing business in Florida require a Four Point Inspection, which targets essential systems within the home. The 4 points covered in the inspection include:
Electrical
HVAC (Heat, Ventilation & Air Conditioning)
Plumbing
The goal for insurance companies in requesting a four-point inspection is to limit their liability in older homes. If any of these systems are in disrepair or were improperly installed, a failure could cause fire or water damage to the house. Insurance companies often require that the inspector have certain qualifications, such as inspection certification, a Florida home inspector license or a General Contractor license.
- Find out more about how Tyson Home inspections offers you the expert home inspection and general contractor qualifications your insurance company requires for a Four Point Inspection
Targeted Residential Inspections
Owning a home in Florida comes with unique challenges specific to the Sunshine State. In addition to being in the path of many hurricanes, Florida’s warm humid climate also means that mold and indoor air quality are often an issue. And more recently, many Floridians are dealing with the potential of having toxic Chinese drywall installed in their homes. To help protect your family from unsafe conditions, you can request specific targeted home inspections:
Mold Inspections and indoor air quality tests
The presence of mold in your home can cause serious health implication for you and your family. Some people are more sensitive to mold than others, such as people with allergies or those with chronic lung problems. With a mold inspection and indoor air quality test, you can determine if your family is being exposed to dangerous mold.
Two types of mold inspections are available: Complete and Limited. A Complete Mold Inspection includes an examination and report on:
Water damage
Musty odors
Apparent mold growth
Conditions conducive to mold growth
Laboratory analysis of all mold samplings
Limited mold inspections will include the same reporting, but only for the specified area of the home.
Mold inspections alone do not constitute a comprehensive Indoor Air Quality test. These tests include testing for a number of harmful pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and other chemicals that may be emitted from building materials, furniture, household cleaning supplies or tobacco products.
Drywall Inspections
Chinese drywall problems have been found in homes built as early as 2001, although most of the problems in Florida are related to homes built between 2004-2006. The problem stems from the presence of strontium sulfide, which can produce a significant health threat to you family and may also produce defects in important systems within the home. Effects include:
Personal Health Effects
Respiratory irritation
Nose bleeds
Eye irritation
Strong odor of rotten eggs
Systematic building effects
Corrosion of plumbing
Air conditioner destruction
Corrosion of heating coils
Destruction of other household appliances
A drywall inspection can help you determine if these corrosive effects are occurring in your home, and detect if your property includes toxic Chinese drywall.
Hurricane or wind mitigation inspections
Often called “hurricane alley,” Florida has the highest incidence of being hit by hurricanes, making it ever more important to protect your family by ensuring your home’s structure is solid. Nearly one-third of the hurricanes that have hit Florida are considered major hurricanes, with winds in excess of 110 miles per hour. A hurricane inspection, also known as a Wind Mitigation Inspection, will provide a comprehensive analysis of:
Roof to wall attachments
Roof geometry
Gable end bracing
Wall construction type
Secondary water resistance
Building envelope assessment
Ensuring your home is sufficiently resistant to water intrusion is another important protection for Floridians exposed to excessive rain and tropical storm systems. A building envelope assessment reviews the materials and waterproofing systems used in your home, from foundation to roof. It may also include air leakage assessment and an insulation analysis.
Commercial Property Inspections
Commercial Property Inspections are very similar to residential inspections, except they are performed on public and private buildings that are often larger and used primarily for business purposes. Businesses and offices based in Florida are exposed to the same risks associated with Indoor Air Quality, Chinese drywall, and hurricane preparedness. However, the financial and liability issues may be even greater, when you factor in quality of health for employees and asset protection, such as expensive computing equipment or product storage.
Mtyson offers expert Commercial Property Inspections. To find out more about reducing the risk and liability associated with the building your business is located in, contact us today.