A home inspection is an objective visual examination of the
physical structure and systems of a home, from the roof to the foundation. The
standard home inspector's report will include an evaluation of the condition of
the home's heating system, central air conditioning system (temperature
permitting), interior plumbing and electrical systems; the roof, attic, and
visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; the foundation,
basement, and visible structure.
Having a home inspected is like giving it a physical
check-up. If problems or symptoms are found, the inspector will refer you to
the appropriate specialist or tradesperson for further evaluation.
The primary goal and obligation of the inspection is to obtain
the best possible information about the existing condition of the property and
its major components and systems so that you can make informed value
assessments within your real estate transaction.
Q: Why do I need a home inspection?
The purchase of a home is probably the largest single
investment you will ever make. You should learn as much as you can about the
condition of the property and the need for any major repairs before you buy, so
that you can minimize unpleasant surprises and difficulties afterwards.
Of course, a home inspection will also point out the
positive aspects of a home, as well as the maintenance that will be necessary
to keep it in good shape. After the inspection, you will have a much clearer
understanding of the property you are about to purchase, and will be able to
make a confident buying decision.
If you have owned your home for a long time, a home
inspection can identify problems in the making and recommend preventive
measures which might avoid costly future repairs. In addition, home sellers may
opt for having an inspection prior to placing the home on the market to gain a
better understanding of conditions which the buyer's inspector may point out.
This provides an opportunity to make repairs that will put the house in better
selling condition.
Q: What will it cost?
The inspection fee for a typical one-family house will vary
depending upon the size of the house, particular features of the house, its
age, etc.
I charge a fee that is compatible with the amount of time
devoted to the inspection, preparing the report, and my expertise. The value of
my fee is reflected in the extent of details provided during the inspection; in
the written report; and in the extensive knowledge and experience that I bring
to the inspection.
Do not let cost be a factor in deciding whether or not to
have a home inspection, or in the selection of your home inspector. The
knowledge gained from an inspection is well worth the cost, and the
lowest-priced inspector is not necessarily a bargain. The inspector's
qualifications, including his experience, training, and professional
affiliations, should be the most important consideration.
Q:
How do I choose a Home Inspector?
Call up and ask about their credentials and experience. If for some reason you
don't feel comfortable asking this of the inspector when speaking with them on
the phone then how will you feel asking questions at the inspection. You must
feel that the inspector is qualified, experienced and attentive of your needs.
Q: Why use our
Services?
The purchase of a new home is one of the single most costly
investments that a family will make. Along with the extra stresses this will
add, there is also the fear factor of, "Will This Home Stand The Test of
Time?" It is also important to know what YOU, as the primary investor, are
getting for your money. We at Signature
Inspection Services make it about YOU.
You are the client and it is our goal to serve you.
A home inspection is an excellent tool for you, the home
buyer, to help determine not only the condition of the home, but to also help
foresee any immediate unnecessary additional cost that may go unnoticed without
the help of a home inspection. Home inspections are not a prediction of future
performance, but can pinpoint existing problem areas.
Q: What
qualifications or credentials should a home inspector offer?
The best qualifications and credentials consist of
inspectors who are industry trained, experienced and who are actively involved
with home inspection industry associations.
I am:
- ITA (Inspector Training Associates) Certified
- ASHI – American Association of Home Inspectors
- FABI – Florida
Association of Building Inspectors
- NAHI – National Association of Home Inspectors
- NACHI – National Association of Certified Home
Inspectors
- NCA – National Catastrophe Adjusted CAT Adjustor
Certified
- American Family Insurance – Adjuster Certified
- Field Experienced.
Q: When do I call Signature Inspection Services?
Typically we are called right after the contract or purchase
agreement has been signed. Before you
sign, however, be sure that there is an inspection clause in the contract,
making your purchase obligation contingent upon the findings of a professional
home inspection. This clause should
specify the terms to which both the buyer and seller are obligated.
Q: How long does your
typical home inspection take?
A typical inspection requires roughly 3-4 hours to complete,
but it is not uncommon for an inspection to take 5 or 6 hours. Some properties
can take an entire day.
Q: Do I have to be there?
It's not necessary for you to be present for the inspection,
but it is recommended. By following the inspector around the house, by
observing and asking questions, you will learn a great deal about the condition
of the home, how its systems work, and how to maintain it. You will also find
the written report easier to understand if you've seen the property first-hand
through the inspector's eyes.
Q: Should the seller
be present during an inspection?
Preferably not. Having one's home scrutinized by a stranger,
who could possibly be considered the cause of a failed sale, is an emotional
situation for the seller. If a broker is involved, it is a professional
courtesy to arrange for the seller to be absent during the inspection. If it is
a sale by owner, some ground rules may need to be set to assure that no
adversarial confrontations occur.
Q: If the house proves to be in good condition, did I really
need an inspection?
Definitely. Now you can complete your home purchase with
peace of mind about the condition of the property and all its equipment and
systems. You will also have learned a few things about your new home from the
inspector's report, and will want to keep that information for future reference.
Above all, you can feel confident that you are making a well-informed purchase
decision, and that you will be able to enjoy your new home.
Q: What if the report reveals problems?
No house is perfect. If the inspector finds problems, it
doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't buy the house, only that you will know
in advance what to expect. A seller may be flexible with the purchase price or
contract terms if major problems are found. If your budget is very tight, or if
you don't wish to become involved in future repair work, this information will
be extremely important to you.
It is important to realize that we as inspectors do not
determine value. We are a single issue
in what can be a complex transaction. We
speak only to the physical condition of the property. And given our lack of awareness of all the
components of the transaction; to assess value would be a disservice. It is our function to inspect and report on
our visual findings of the condition of the property.
Q: What if I find problems after I move into my new home?
A home inspection is not a guarantee that problems won't
develop after you move in. However if you believe that a problem was already
visible at the time of the inspection and should have been mentioned in the
report, your first step should be to call me to clarify the situation.
Misunderstandings are often resolved in this manner.
If necessary, you might wish to consult with a local
mediation service to help you settle your disagreement.
Q: Why can't I have
someone in my family who is very handy or a contractor, inspect my new home?
This is the biggest mistake many potential new homeowners make when purchasing
a home. Although the person you are considering may be very skilled, they are
not trained or experienced at professional home inspections. Professional home
inspection is a unique skill like no other. Professional inspectors get what we
call an inspector's instinct for problems. That instinct takes extensive
training and lots of experience doing inspections to develop. Many contractors,
and other trades professionals hire a professional home inspector to inspect
their homes when they make a purchase.
Q: Can't I do it myself?
Even the most experienced home owner lacks the knowledge and
expertise of a professional home inspector.
An inspector is familiar with all the elements of home construction,
proper installation, and maintenance. We
understand how the home's systems and components are intended to function
together, as well as how and why they fail.
Above all, most buyers find it very difficult to remain
completely objective and unemotional about the house they really want, and this
may affect their judgment. For the most accurate picture, it is best to obtain
an impartial third-party opinion by an expert in the field of home inspection.
Q: Can a house fail inspection?
No. A professional home inspection is an examination of the
current condition of your prospective home. It is not an appraisal, which
determines market value, or a municipal inspection, which verities local code
compliance. A home inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail a house, but
rather describe its physical condition and indicate what may need repair or
replacement.
Q: Do you recommend
or furnish names of contractors who can perform repairs on the property?
No, but I will advise clients on how to find and select a
prospective contractor or tradesperson.
Q: How do I find a home inspector?
The best source is a friend, or perhaps a business
acquaintance, who has been satisfied with, and can recommend, a home inspector
they have used. In addition, the names of local inspectors can be found in the
Yellow Pages where many advertise under "Building Inspection Service"
or "Home Inspection Service". Real estate agents are also generally
familiar with the service, and should be able to provide you with a list of
names from which to choose.
Whatever your referral source, be sure to ascertain the home
inspector's professional qualifications, experience, and business ethics before
you make your selection. You can do this by checking with the local consumer
affairs office or Better Business Bureau, as well as by verifying the
inspector's membership in a reputable professional association.
Since there are no licensing requirements for home inspectors
presenting in the State of Florida,
you will want to make certain that such an association has a set of nationally
recognized practice standards and a code of ethics. This provides members with
professional inspection guidelines, and prohibits them from engaging in any
conflict of interest activities which might compromise their objectivity, such
as using the inspection as a means to obtain home repair contracts.
The association should also have rigorous membership and
continuing education requirements to assure consumers of an inspector's
experience and technical qualifications.
We at Signature Inspection Services are member of ASHI,
FABI, NAHI, and NACHI. I make the
financial and time commitment to meet or exceed industry standards in membership
policy and industry continuing education requirements.
Q: Do you have any affiliation with real estate agents?
No. My client is you, the home buyer. You may have heard my
name from a real estate agent but they really should be giving you a
list of home inspection professionals to choose from and then you
decide. My
mission is to make sure that the client knows everything he or she
needs to
know about the physical condition of property. In doing that, you
are then armed with a component of information that when combined with
all the other variables and considerations of a real estate transaction
allows you to make an informed decision.
Q: Do you climb onto
the roof?
Yes. However there are certain safety issues that I
consider, and therefore I reserve the right to determine the degree of those
conditions which may be unsafe. Surfaces that are wet or contain snow or ice
are obviously conditions that would prevent climbing onto the roofing. Slate,
metal, or wood shingles are not walked on due to their generally fragile
nature. If I cannot climb onto the roof, I will at least attempt to get to the
eaves for a closer observation of the roofing. I will always be able to make a
proper determination about the condition of the roofing.
Q: What kind of
written report do you provide?
The report is prepared on my PC using InspectVue Software,
the most widely used software for home inspections. This software is a
proprietary data system developed specifically for home inspectors and can be
customized to meet the personal style of the individual professional home
inspector. My reports are about 30-40 pages and contain digital photos of key
deficiencies. With these valuable tools, the client is able to make an
intelligent decision about the property.
Q: How soon will I receive
the report?
I send the reports out the day after the inspection by
email. If the client does not have email capability, I can overnight mail the
report. This will extend delivery by one business day. Additional charges will
apply to weekend delivery by Express Mail or FedEx.
Q: Does your report
include digital photos of visible defects?
Yes. I take photos of certain visible conditions for
documentation, and to help the client visualize the nature of the existing
condition of the property.
Q: What additional
services do you provide?
Wood Destroying
Organism inspections: As a home
inspector who understands the need of my clients I am now State Certified for
WDO inspections through TI a State of Florida
CPCO. The
additional fee is reduced when included with a home inspection.
A note regarding termites:
Subterranean termites are the most
destructive insect pests of wood in the United States. They cause more than
$2 billion in damage each year, more property damage than that caused by fire
and windstorm combined. In nature,
subterranean termites are beneficial. They break down many dead trees and other
wood materials that would otherwise accumulate. The biomass of this breakdown
process is recycled to the soil as humus.
Problems occur when termites attack
the wooden elements of human structures -- homes, businesses and warehouses.
Their presence is not readily noticed because they hide their activity behind
wallboards, siding or wood trim.
Homeowners in all areas of Florida should watch for
subterranean termites and take precautions to prevent infestations. To minimize
damage from termites, it is helpful to know the description, life cycle and
infestation signs of termites as well as preventive and control measures. Our inspections leave you with a better sense
of issue.
Q: How can I set up
an appointment?
You can call me at 407-697-7213. I work by myself and may
not be able to respond until later in the day. You can also
request an inspection and
take a minute to complete an information section giving a brief description of
the property, such as address, age, number of rooms, and gross living area. An
MLS number for the listing can also be helpful.
This can also be found by returning to home page and clicking on the
“Request Inspection” button.
Q: What if I have questions after the inspection?
This question really shouldn’t be the last one
answered. It fits in best here
however. But please keep in mind that
when using Signature Inspection Services we are with y you after the initial
service. You can call us and discuss all
the aspects of your new home whenever you like. Our service is a long-term
investment.