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.

You will receive your written report and photos within 24 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Due to the fact that we always send two to three men, we have cut the average inspection time down to 1 to 2 hours at the most. Furthermore, we have been doing this for over 20 years and know exactly what to look for; therefore, we are able to identify all areas that require attention very quickly. We will be happy to answer any question onsite that you may have.

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.

Every item found in need of repair or indicating a potential problem is indicated in the final inspection report. Our report will always include photos 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 love to make the most minor defect into a catastrophic event.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 photos.

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, hose bibs, and any other conditions on the grounds surrounding the home that may effect the home itself.

2. Electrical. This includes testing all visible and accessible outlets and switches to insure they are properly wired and grounded, as well as ceiling fans, appliances and the HVAC system.

3. Roof. We inspect the eaves, the gable, the roof covering (shingles, tile, etc.), flashing, and plumbing vents.

4. Exterior. This includes the 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, 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., and appliances.

8. Bathrooms. We inspect all sinks and tubs along with their plumbing, the shower, toilet, walls and ceilings.

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, stairs and steps.

11. Attic. The attic is inspected for sound structure, the type of insulation used, venting, where fans are exhausted to, HVAC duct, evidence of condensation or moisture, and vapor barriers.

12. Plumbing. All plumbing systems are checked throughout the home, including water service and pressure, main shut-offs, and water heater (capacity and combusion air venting).

13. HVAC System. Cooling systems are tested to insure that the unit(s) are cooling and heating within acceptable limits. We also check the air handler for any visible deficiencies, make sure the line chase is sealed and the suction line insulation is not defective.

14. WDO (Wood Destroying Organisms). We check for wood destroying organisms and give an estimate for tenting or fumigation when evidence is found.

There is much more to an inspection, because these are just the categories and each category involves a detailed inspection. 1st Choice Home Inspections is known for providing our clients with a thorough and complete inspection.