FAQ

A professional home inspection by a licensed inspector is a visual evaluation of the physical structure, electrical, heating, plumbing, air conditioning, roofing, interior and exterior.

Home Inspections are essential for anyone buying, building or selling a home or condo. As this is a very important financial investment decision you should learn as much as possible about what you are going to purchase or sell.

To learn more about home inspections, review the frequently asked questions below.

Should I attend the inspection?

Yes—it is highly advisable that you attend the inspection. This will give you an opportunity to spend some time in the home with us at the time of inspection. You will gain a better understanding of the inspection process and notate the details that are being inspected. We find that when potential homebuyers are present, they are more pleased with the experience and are better educated through the process.

When do I receive the report?

You will receive your written report and photos in 24-48 hours of the inspection. If the inspection takes place on a Friday or Saturday, your report will be emailed to you on Monday. For wind mitigation and 4-point inspections we will send the report to the homeowner, and the homeowner forwards it to the insurance company. We will provide support for this process if needed.

What if I have questions after the inspection?

We are very happy to answer questions regarding your home at any time after your inspection.

Why should I get a home inspection(for Buyers)?

Protect your investment. You should know about any underlying issues with a property before you buy. This information will give you the full picture of your property. Even if your property is new or has never been lived in, you will still benefit from a professional inspection.

Why should I get a home inspection(for Sellers)?

You will want to know of any potential problems with your home. An inspection can help you get prepared for any preventative measures or allow you the time to correct any issues that are found with the house before you place it on the market.

What is a Wind Mitigation?

Florida Statute 627.0629(1) requires insurance companies to offer Florida homeowners "discounts, credits, or other rate differentials..." for construction techniques that reduce damage and loss in windstorms. A wind mitigation inspection verifies construction methods that create wind mitigation insurance discounts, based on those methods, providing greater protection from wind hurricane damage. The inspection usually takes less than an hour.

How long will the inspection take?

The average inspection takes two to three hours—depending on the size, age, and condition of the property. We pride ourselves on taking our time with your home. We do not rush and will be happy to answer any question onsite that you may have.

Can I do it myself?

Even the most “handy” of buyers can miss items. It is important to have a licensed certified inspector take their time reviewing all items of the home.

What if the report reveals problems?

Every item found in need of repair or indicating a potential problem is indicated in the final inspection report. Our report will always include pictures of the defective area. Once a problem is notated, a conversation should occur between the homebuyer, agents and the seller to determine if repairs are warranted. A true professional will make a buyer have a complete understanding of what they are dealing with and whether or not the defect is common for the age of the property and life expectancy of the item in question. On the other hand, some home inspectors are “drama queens” and love to make the most minor defect into a catastrophic event.

Can a property fail an inspection?

A property, or areas of a property, do not “pass” or “fail" an inspection, as this process is not designed to give the house a "grade". A home inspection is designed to provide a report of items that are in need of repair or service. This information will assist the homebuyer in the decision process of whether or not to purchase that home. The seller can be requested to make the repairs and submit to another inspection, or the findings of the inspection may lead the homebuyer to move on to another property.

When and how do I pay for inspection?

Payment is expected at the time of inspection. Payments may be made through of any of the following methods: cash, check or a Visa or MasterCard credit card.

Is the inspection report a gurantee?

No. A home inspection report is the product of a licensed professional home inspector that will indicate the condition of the home at the time of the inspection.

Should I be in attendance in the inspection?

The buyer, the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent should all be in attendance during the inspection. The buyer should be in attendance so that they can fully understand any issues that are uncovered during the inspection process. By attending the inspection, the buyer can speak with the inspector during the inspection, therefore having a better understanding of the inspection process. As a buyer’s agent, the realtor should attend for the benefit of their client’s interests and to negotiate the best terms and conditions for their client on any issues that are uncovered. If a buyer’s agent is not at the home inspection, it makes it far more difficult to negotiate the best terms and conditions for the buyer. Part of attending the home inspection is understanding how potential defects will affect the value, as well as what the cost may be to remedy such defects. The seller’s agent should be in attendance to understand any issues that are uncovered about their home during the inspection process. It is to their advantage to be privy to the conversation with the inspector so that all defects are fully understood.

What is included in the inspection?

During an inspection, the inspector will review for potential problems the readily-accessible exposed portions of the structure of the home, including the roof, attic, walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, and foundation, as well as the heating/air conditioning systems, interior plumbing and electrical systems. The inspection includes the physical inspection, any consulting with the realtor or homebuyer and any consulting/questions after the inspection as well as a written report with pictures. A home inspection involves the inspection of key systems in a home, including:

  1. Grounds. This includes service walks, driveways and parking, porches, steps, patios, decks and balconies, fences, landscaping that affects the foundation, retaining walls, hose bibs, and any other conditions on the grounds surrounding the home that may effect the home itself.
  2. Electrical. This includes the heating system, air conditioning or heat pump, outlets, and lighting.
  3. Roof. We inspect the eaves, the gable, the roof covering (shingles), flashing, skylights, and plumbing vents.
  4. Exterior. This includes the chimney, siding, trim, soffits, fascia, flashing, windows, and crawlspace.
  5. Garage. We inspect the garage door and the opener, the floor condition (concrete or otherwise), exterior service door, electrical issues, fire separation from the house, as well as the ceiling.
  6. Kitchen. This includes countertops, cabinets, plumbing components, walls and ceiling, heating and cooling source, and appliances.
  7. Laundry room. This includes the laundry sink, plumbing, venting for the dryer, electrical, G.F.C.I., appliances, and gas shut-off.
  8. Bathrooms. We inspect all sinks and tubs along with their plumbing, the shower, toilet, walls and ceilings, heating and circulation for all bathrooms in the home.
  9. Bedrooms. Each bedroom is inspected for all the necessary components, ensure all electrical outlets are in good working order, vents, heating and cooling, fans, ingress and egress, fire alarms, and doors.
  10. Interior. In addition to everything already listed, we also inspect all interior windows, window seals, fireplace, stairs, steps, and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
  11. Attic. The attic is inspected for sound structure, the type of insulation used and whether it is sufficient, venting, where fans are exhausted to, HVAC duct, chimney case, evidence of condensation or moisture, and vapor barriers.
  12. Crawl space. This involves inspecting for access, foundation walls, seismic bolts, drainage, ventilation, girders/beams/columns, joists, sub-flooring, moisture stains, insulation, vapor barrier, and any signs of problems.
  13. Plumbing. All plumbing systems are checked throughout the home, including water service and pressure, main shut-offs, well pump, water heater (capacity and combusion air venting), as well as the water softener, if applicable.
  14. HVAC System. The heating system is examined and operated to test for correct operations and heating, including electrical controls and systems. Cooling systems are also tested extensively. There is much more to an inspection, because these are just the categories and each category involves a detailed inspection. While some inspectors rush in and out in 20 minutes, All-in-One Inspections is known for their thoroughness—often taking two to three hours to complete a home inspection, in order to ensure a thorough and complete inspection is provided to our clients.