What is a home inspection?
A home inspection is a visual, non-invasive examination of the home to help better understand the home and identify areas of concern within the systems and components of the home. 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 4-Point Inspection?
A 4-point-inspection is an examination of the home’s roof, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC to help insurance companies determine the risk of insuring a property. These inspections are typically required by insurance companies in the State of Florida for insuring homes of a certain age or if the home has recently been sold.
What is a Wind-Mitigation Inspection?
A wind-mitigation inspection examines components of a home that help the home resist damage during high-level winds. This inspection helps insurance companies determine discount credits towards the homeowner’s insurance policy. Items inspected include age of roof, type of roof covering, roof deck attachment, roof-to-wall connections, roof shape, secondary water resistance, and protection level of exterior openings. This inspection could potentially help save you money on your insurance depending on the presence and condition of each component.
What is a WDO Inspection?
A Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) inspection is regulated by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and can only be performed by a licensed pest control company. These inspections identify the presence of various wood destroying organisms such as termites, beetles, and fungus. A WDO inspection can be required by mortgage companies for certain loans such as a VA loan.
What is Thermal/Infrared Imaging?
Thermal imaging utilizes infrared cameras to identify thermal anomalies on the exterior and interior of your home. These anomalies can help us locate water leaks, overloaded electrical circuits, inadequate insulation, and other problems that would not have otherwise been seen by the naked eye. We believe this technology is a necessity for any home inspection which is why we include this service on all of our home inspections for no additional charge.
How and when does the client pay?
After the inspection has been scheduled, a confirmation email is sent to all parties involved. The client will receive an email with a link to process payment. You can pay at any time before, during, or after the inspection, however, you will not be able to view any reports until the inspection agreement is signed and payment is processed. We ask that you please pay and sign agreements before your inspection to ensure a faster report completion.
Can I reschedule or cancel my inspection after it’s been scheduled?
Of course! Simply call or text us at 772.258.9144 or email us at bennett@refinementinspections.com to reschedule or cancel your inspection. We ask that you please let us know at least 24 hours ahead of time, if possible. This helps us to realign our schedule and avoid having to charge any cancelation fees.
When will I receive my reports?
For home inspections, you should receive your reports within 24 hours, if not sooner (depending on property size). For stand-alone insurance inspections, you will likely receive your reports on the same day of the inspection (depending on the time of day), or by morning of the next day.
Do we test for mold, asbestos, lead-based paint, Chinese drywall, or other environmental hazards?
No. Mold, asbestos, lead-based paint, Chinese drywall, 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 laboratory testing to confirm hazardous material. These services are often performed by a third-party environmental company at an additional cost.
Do we inspect sewage pipes or septic systems?
No. A home inspection is a visual inspection only. Sewage pipes and septic systems are typically located below ground and considered out of the scope of a home inspection. We recommend you contact a qualified plumbing contractor and/or to have these systems evaluated. These systems can experience problems or fail and having them inspected is always a good idea during your due diligence period prior to purchase.