Home Inspections
A General Home Inspection
Make sure you have an experienced team who will do a thorough inspection and give you helpful information and advice. Although there are standards laid out by the State of Florida, not all inspectors provide the same level of knowledge, service and value.
A General Home Inspection includes an inspection of the following:
- Structural: foundation, trusses, stairs, drainage systems
- Mechanical systems: Heating and cooling (HVAC),
- Plumbing: water heater, leaks, pipe material such as copper, pvc, cpvc and polybutylene
- Electrical: panels, wiring, outlets, switches, smoke alarms
- Safety hazards: exposed wires, condition of stairs and handrails
- Roof: Age and Condition of the roof, flashing, gutters, ventilation, framing
- Appliances: all appliances are tested for basic operation
- Exterior components and site conditions such as driveway, walkways, and drainage
- Interior components: floors, walls, ceilings, windows, cabinets, counters
- In Florida you will also need insurance inspections. See below. Other inspections listed here may also be needed, depending on the property.
Home Inspection Services Include the Following Inspections:
A General Home Inspection, 4 Point, Wind Mitigation, Termite (WDO), Indoor Air Quality, (Mold and Moisture Inspections), Sewerscope, SeaWalls, Septic Tanks, Well Water, Pre-Listing, New Construction, and Warranty Inspections.
4 Point Inspection
A 4-Point Inspection is a brief summary of the 4 main systems: electrical, air conditioning, roof, and plumbing.
It’s not unusual for homeowners with older homes to experience a failure of a major system and then file an insurance claim, and because of the higher expenses associated with these claims, many insurance companies no longer want to insure older homes.
To reduce potential exposure to large claims from the most expensive systems of your home, insurance companies often ask for what is known as a 4-Point inspection to determine if these systems are in good condition and not on the verge of failure prior to issuing an insurance policy. If you are shopping for insurance, make sure you provide a new report to your insurance agent.
Wind Mitigation Inspection
A wind mitigation inspection is usually required by an insurance company to determine the stability of the structure of a home or condo in the case of a wind event. Most condo buildings have concrete roofs which can lead to a significant insurance discount.
In Florida, certified inspectors evaluate a building’s potential to withstand high winds based on the following key categories:
- Roof Covering
- Roof Deck Attachment
- Roof to Wall Attachment
- Roof Geometry
- Secondary Water Barrier
- Opening Protection
Post-inspection, that inspector will make recommendations for any improvements you could make to your property that will help protect it from windstorm damage and help you qualify for discounts, and provide a detailed inspection report for your insurance company.
Termite (WDO) Inspections
South Florida is the second most termite infested area in the world. Florida’s hot and humid climate provides the perfect environment for termites. These conditions, especially during the hotter months, create an ideal breeding ground for these wood-feeding insects.
There are several main species of termites found in south Florida. The most common is the drywood termite which usually takes a long time to do serious damage.
Subterranean termites, by contrast, can create extensive damage in a relatively short time due to their massive colonies.
(performed by a 3rd party)
Air Quality Inspections & Mold Testing
Mold flourishes in warm humid environments and we often find mold that people are totally unaware of. There are four kinds of health problems that come from exposure to mold:
- Allergic Illness
- Irritant Effects
- Infection
- Toxic Effects
People with chronic illnesses, respiratory issues, or immune system problems may be more likely to get infections from certain types of mold. For your peace of mind we can do air quality testing to help determine whether or not you have elevated mold levels.
Pool & Spa Inspections
A pool inspection is important to check on safety systems, including electrical components. We also do a visual inspection of the decking, coping, pool surface, filtration and cleaning system, controls, lighting, screening and water features.
Sewer Scope Inspections
We all know how expensive plumbing can be and so a sewerscope is a valuable way of checking the drain pipes by running a special camera down the drain pipes. Even new homes sometimes have broken drain pipes from trucks driving over them.
It is especially important to have sewerscope inspectons done on homes built before 1976 which may have cast iron pipes. These pipes are nearing the end of their lives and most need some sort of repair or replacement.
Luxury Inspections
When buying a luxury home you want a team that is experienced with this level of home and can provide the service that you need. We have inspected many high end properties in Sunny Isles, Fort Lauderdale, Parkland, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach.
Pre-Listing Inspections
Making sure your property does not have any hidden or underlying issues can be the difference between a smooth selling experience or a nightmare scenario. The biggest factor that causes a sale to go bad is an unexpected surprise. Having an inspection done before hand can assist in the sale process to go smoothly and quickly.
Our highly experienced home inspectors will conduct a pre-listing inspection to help get your home properly prepared to go on the market.
Not only can this lead to a faster and easier closing, but will give you peace of mind that your home is in the best shape possible to sell.
Your buyers are going to conduct an inspection anyway, so you might as well know what they are going to find by having an inspection done first. You can use this information to repair issues or get quotes for the buyer. This way there are no surprises for anyone and you are more likely to have a quick and easy closing.
If you’re selling your home, contact Wise Inspections at (954) 608-3366 to schedule your Pre-Listing inspection today.
Seawall & Dock Inspections
(performed by a 3rd party)
New Construction Inspections
New does not always translate to perfect construction.
No matter how good your builder is, they are prone to making errors or overlooking certain building standards that you will later need to deal with as code violations.
A properly licensed private home inspector conducts a thorough check as a final walkthrough with the builder to make sure that everything is in place for your new home to finally be handed over to you just the way you want it.
We would be honored to inspect your home will take the same care as if we were buying it for ourselves. The inspectors at Wise Home Inspections are trained to look for any potential issues with the property that could cause problems in the future.
Contact Wise Inspections at (954) 608-3366 to schedule your New Construction Inspection today.
Condo Inspections
A condo inspection includes inspecting the air conditioner, water heater and plumbing, electrical, windows, doors and floors. Although the outside may be covered by the Association, there are many problems we find in condos that require correction.
A Wind Mitigation can also be very helpful in reducing your insurance, even though you are only paying for a “walls in” policy.
Septic Tank Inspections
If you have a septic tank then you will want to have make sure that the tank and drain field are still working properly. These can both fail over time and replacement can be expensive.
11 Month or Builder’s Warranty Inspection
An Eleven Month or Builder’s Warranty Inspection is designed specifically for new homeowners who have lived in their home for just under a year. Most builders and their subcontractors offer a one-year warranty to the initial homeowner, covering various aspects of the new home. As a new homeowner under this warranty, it’s crucial to file any claims before the warranty expires. We often find defects that need to be corrected. These vary from roof problems, unsafe electrical wiring to appliance issues and more. This is usually your last chance to have the builder correct items.
Well Water Testing
Well water testing is required for FHA loans and for the health of you and your family. Tests are done for nitrates, lead and, most importantly, bacteria.
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