Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ2022-03-18T19:42:55+00:00
What is a home inspection?2022-03-02T20:08:18+00:00

A home inspection is a non-invasive, visual examination of the accessible areas of the home designed to gain a general understanding of the home and identify areas of concern within specific systems and components defined by the InterNACHI Standards of Practice, that are both observed and deemed material by the inspector on the date and time of the inspection. Home inspections are not comprehensive nor completely exhaustive and will never identify every issue or the extent of every issue that’s present in a home.

What is a WDO Inspection?2022-03-02T20:07:19+00:00

A WDO, or Wood Destroying Organism, Inspection is a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services regulated inspection performed by a third-party licensed pest control company that helps identify the presence of organisms that may damage wood. These include various types of termites, old house borer beetles, powder post beetles, wood decaying fungus, etc. which are typically considered outside the  scope of a home inspection. Purchasing a WDO inspection is generally a good idea especially for older homes, and can also be required by mortgage companies for certain loan types, such as a VA loan. For your convenience, we work with two WDO companies, Russell Pest Solutions and Nader’s Pest Raiders, both of which can be scheduled on our online scheduler to perform simultaneously with our home inspection.

What is a 4-Point Inspection?2022-03-02T20:07:55+00:00

A 4-point-inspection is an abbreviated, high-level inspection of a home’s 4 major systems (the roof, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC) that helps an insurance company determine the risk, or insurability, of a property. These inspections are typically required by insurance companies in the State of Florida for homes older than just a few years. Schedule your 4-Point Inspection today with our team of highly trained inspectors who intimately understand the insurance landscape.

What is a Wind-Mitigation Inspection?2022-03-02T20:07:42+00:00

A wind-mitigation inspection examines 7 features of a home’s roof system to help insurance companies determine which credits can be applied to a homeowner’s insurance policy. The 7 features are the year of construction, the age and type of roof coverings, how the roof decking is attached, how the roof structure is attached to the wall structure, the shape of the roof, the presence of secondary water resistance, and protection of openings in the building’s envelope. This inspection typically can only help, and many times can save a homeowner hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars per year. Schedule your Wind-Mitigation Inspection today with our team of highly trained inspectors who will do everything within their power to get you the credits that you deserve.

What is a whole-house infrared scan?2022-03-02T20:08:30+00:00

We perform a whole-house infrared scan on every home inspection that we perform at no additional cost to you. This utilizes a powerful high-resolution infrared camera to scan the interior surfaces of the home which can help identify possibly hidden issues that may otherwise not be observed with simply the naked eye. Issues that can be uncovered can include hot spots and areas of missing or inadequate insulation, overloaded and hot electrical circuitry, and moisture issues such as roof leaks, plumbing leaks, and moisture intrusion. This helps add an extra layer of protection on every home inspection that we perform, and is a must-have in the modern world of home inspections.

How and when does the client pay?2022-03-02T20:19:05+00:00

After the inspection has been scheduled via our easy online scheduler, we will confirm the details and send out a confirmation email to all parties involved. The client will receive an email with a blue button titled “Inspection Details” where electronic payment can be made. Although we ask that payment be made prior to your inspection, you can pay at any time before, during, or after the inspection. You just won’t be able to view any reports until the inspection agreement is signed and payment is made.

Can I add services, reschedule, or cancel my inspection after it’s been scheduled?2022-03-18T21:31:05+00:00

Yes! Simply call or text our office at 904.758.9225 or email us at admin@housescanfl.com to add services, reschedule your inspection, or cancel your inspection. We ask that you please do these at least 24 hour ahead of time, if at all possible. Failing to do so may result in additional fees which are outlined in your inspection agreement.

When will I receive my reports?2023-04-06T21:16:54+00:00

We know that our clients are often in a time crunch, and so we work hard to get our reports drafted up, proofread, and sent out quickly! For home inspections, you will receive your reports by early the next morning, likely before you wake up. Third party ancillary inspections such as WDO or Pool inspections may take 1-2 business days to receive. For stand-alone insurance inspections, you will likely receive your reports on the same day of the inspection, often times not long after our inspector is finished with the inspection.

Do we offer expedited report turnarounds?2023-04-06T21:22:50+00:00

Yes – we offer expedited (same-day) report turnarounds but charge $50 for this service. This isn’t much quicker than our normal report turnaround of the next morning, but if the client needs the home inspection report ASAP, then we can bring our Quality Manager in during off-hours and make it happen. However, this does not include any 3rd-party inspection services.

Can I use a 4-point inspection in lieu of a full home inspection during a real estate purchase?2023-05-19T18:47:47+00:00

The short answer is “Yes.” You can forgo a full home inspection and solely get a standalone 4-point inspection which will help your insurance company determine the insurability of the property and in many cases will allow you to obtain insurance on the property. However, we would highly urge against this practice. A 4-point inspection is not an in-depth inspection of the home’s 4 major systems, and is more of a high level documentation of basic information and photos of those systems, which the insurance carrier uses to determine risk and insurability of the property. The full home inspection, on the other hand, is far more detailed and comprehensive and the benefits of the service usually far outweigh the costs. If you’re purchasing you’re home without a full home inspection, you are taking on substantial risk.

Do we check for mold, asbestos, lead-based paint, or other environmental hazards?2022-03-18T20:42:12+00:00

No. Mold, asbestos, lead-based paint, and other environmental hazards are specifically excluded and are outside the scope of a standard home inspection. Although we will do our best to identify and inform you of the risks of potential environmental hazards, each hazard requires detailed laboratory testing to confirm the presence of and specific risks. These services are often performed by a 3rd party environmental company at an additional cost.

Do we inspect the sewage drain pipes or Septic System?2023-04-06T21:26:46+00:00

We only inspect components that are visible and readily accessible. Sewage drain lines and septic systems are typically located below ground and are typically considered out of the scope of a home inspection. We highly recommend you contact a qualified plumbing contractor and/or a septic inspector (when applicable) and have these systems evaluated. These systems, like all others, can experience problems or fail, and having them inspected is always a good idea during your due diligence period prior to purchase.

Have a question that’s not covered here?

Shoot us a text message at 904.758.9225 for the quickest response. Or if it can wait, feel free to fill out the form below and we’ll get back with you as soon as we are back in the office. We look forward to hearing from you!