What do Home Inspectors look for?

Typically, Florida home inspectors look for any potential damages or visible issues, any accessible parts of the property, both inside and outside. The home inspection includes structural features such as the foundation, floors, stairs, walls, ceilings, as well as the mechanical systems like the plumbing, HVAC, and electric unit. Home Inspectors look for things like water or fire damage, visible signs of mold, cracked or missing roof shingles. The focus is to identify any Issues that point to a faulty foundation, such as cracked exterior steps.

Our certified home inspectors write up their observations and make recommendations for repairs that get delivered in our detailed reports. However, these reports do not include estimated pricing for any repairs or recommendations on whether you should (or should not) buy the home as that decision is done by the individual looking into the property.

A typical home inspection can vary depending on what specific inspection service is being provided, but roughly ranges from $300 to $700.

What our home inspectors look for in a typical home inspection:  

Exterior

• Bulging or missing siding
• Sagging eaves and soffits
• Improperly installed flashing
• Windows and doors that don’t close properly
• Cracks in walkways and/or foundation
• Stairs and porches that aren’t level or are missing boards

Roof

• Missing shingles or other flaws on the roof surface
• Gaps around skylights
• Skylights that don’t close properly
• Clogged gutters 

Safety elements

• Missing fire and carbon monoxide alarms
• Rickety railings

Attic

• Improperly installed insulation
• Water stains
• Holes and other problems with the structure

Plumbing

• Damaged or badly working toilets, showers, bathtubs and sinks 
• Clogged or slow-running drains 
• Rusty pipes 
• Problems with the water temperature or water pressure and flow

Electrical

• Exposed splices in visible wiring
• Rusty circuit breaker panel
• Inoperable switches and light fixtures

HVAC

• Heating and cooling systems that don’t operate properly
• Damaged ductwork
• Cracks or gaps in the visible parts of the fireplace

Insulation/ventilation

• Improperly vented exhaust fans in the attic or around the foundation, kitchen, bathroom and laundry room. 

Home inspections typically do not include:

• Appliances, such as washers and dryers
• Indoor air quality
• Hazards such as asbestos, lead paint, mold or radon
• Outbuildings
• Pools
• Pests, including termites as well as rodents
• Inaccessible or hard-to-reach areas, like electrical wires inside walls or parts of the foundation or roof

What to know before scheduling a home inspection 

Typically, buyers have 10 to 30 days after an offer is accepted to get a home inspected. No home is perfect, but a proper home inspection can give you an out if your dream home has major issues. Armed with your detailed report and information it can help you negotiate a lower price to cover the cost of repairs. 

You do not have to be present, but if you choose to be present for the inspection, we recommend you ask questions. Ask the inspector to explain your state’s home inspection requirements – what’s covered and what’s not. The American Society of Home Inspectors and International Association of Certified Home Inspectors publish standards of practice for home inspections. 

Some real estate professionals recommend getting separate inspections for the foundation, chimney or sewer line by certified professionals. If you’re buying an older home that may contain knob-and-tube wiring, consider a separate electrical home inspection with a licensed electrician.

Most states have certifications for home inspectors, but some do not. Consider asking for proof of up-to-date certifications and insurance for both errors and omissions and for general liability insurance.