When purchasing a home, it’s important to understand the differences between a Four-Point Inspection and a Full Home Inspection. While both involve a licensed inspector evaluating key systems within the property, they serve very different purposes, and choosing the right one for your situation is essential.

What is a Four-Point Inspection?

A Four-Point Inspection is a limited-scope evaluation typically requested by insurance companies to determine whether a home is insurable. It focuses on the four primary systems that pose the greatest risk to insurers:

  • Roof

  • Electrical

  • Plumbing

  • HVAC (Heating & Cooling)

This inspection provides a basic overview of these systems (enough for an insurance underwriter to assess risk) but it does not evaluate the full condition of the home or identify all potential issues. Because it is designed to meet insurance guidelines, it does not provide all of the detail and context that you need when purchasing a home. many cases, if a system is present and functioning at the time of inspection, it may be marked as “satisfactory” on the Four-Point, even if it shows signs of aging, deterioration, or would not meet current code or safety expectations. Some components marked as “satisfactory” on a Four-Point may still raise concerns during a Full Home Inspection or even result in coverage denial by the insurance provider. Ultimately, it is not intended to guide a buyer’s decision during a real estate transaction.

Sample 4-Point Report

What is a Full Home Inspection?

A Full Home Inspection is a comprehensive evaluation of the entire property. It covers major systems and components, including:

  • Structural integrity

  • Roofing and attic

  • Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems

  • Interior and exterior conditions

  • Appliances, doors, windows, and more

This report is designed to help homebuyers make informed decisions. It provides detailed, comprehensive findings (with photos), including minor concerns, maintenance items, and areas of potential improvement, not just issues relevant to insurance.

Why It Matters

While a Four-Point Inspection may be sufficient for insurance purposes, it does not replace a full home inspection when purchasing a home. Important issues like foundation settlement, deferred maintenance, attic insulation, or moisture intrusion, just to name a few, are not included in a Four-Point. And, while the Four Point may include items such as the HVAC or roof, the report does not go into detail, leaving out a lot of important information that may affect your decision.

If you’re relying solely on a Four-Point, you may miss critical information about the home’s true condition — information that could dramatically affect your budget, negotiations, or even your safety.

If you’re buying a home, we strongly recommend a Full Home Inspection to protect your investment and avoid surprises. You will receive the 4 Point report complimentary as part of the home inspection so you can use that for insurance purposes.

You can use the links above to access the Four Point Report and Home Inspection Report for the exact same property so you can see what a difference a full home inspection can make.