During a home inspection, the home inspector will concentrate on the condition and structure of your home and point out observed safety concerns. The home inspection is a visual inspection of the house - home inspectors do not do any destructive testing, nor can they inspect what they cannot see.

A professional home inspector should, at a minimum, inspect the following items:

• Exterior Home Site
• Building Foundation
• Exterior Home Walls
• Roof Coverings, Flashings & Gutters
• Roof Support Structure
• Attic
• Basement
• Insulation Quality
• Garage
• Electrical
• Visible Interior and Exterior Plumbing
• Central Air and Heating System
• Interior Condition of the Home

Home Inspectors are generalists - they need to know the home's many systems and components and how they work, both independently and together. In addition, they need to understand why and how the system(s) fail. Consumers should expect a written report to describe the actual condition of the home at the time of the inspection and to provide an indication of the need for major repairs.

What will a home inspector be looking at and how you can prepare for a home inspection?  The below listing may be helpful in preparing for a home inspection.  Many of these items can be done with little or no cost and many are regular maintenance items for a home. 

1. Clean out dirty gutters or debris from the roof. 

2. Divert all water away from the house; i.e. downspouts, sump pump, condensation drains, etc.  Grade should slope away from the structure.  Clean out basement entry drains.    

3. Clean or replace HVAC filter.  Clean dirty air returns.   

4. Test all smoke detectors to ensure they are in safe working condition.    

5. Don't do quick cheap repairs.  You may raise questions that will unfairly cause great concern to buyers and inspectors. 

6. Ensure that all doors and windows are in proper operating condition, including repairing or replacing any cracked windowpanes. 

7. Ensure that all plumbing fixtures (toilet, tub, shower, and sinks) are in proper working conditions.  Check for and fix any leaks.  Caulk around fixtures if necessary. 

8. Check sump pump for proper operation. 

9. Replace any burned out light bulbs.       

10. Check that bath vents are properly vented and in working condition.     

11. Have clear access to attic, crawlspace, heating system, garage and other areas that will need to be inspected. 

12. If the house is vacant, make sure that all utilities are turned on, including water, electric, and gas. 

Before a home inspector is hired, we recommend that the consumer, "check him or her out." Check to see if the inspector is licensed in Florida, see if the home inspector carries a membership with a national non-profit trade association, such as the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and if so, call to verify that the individual is a member in good standing. Call the, Department of Consumer Affairs, and your local municipalities to see if the inspector and/or Inspection Company have had any complaints registered against them. It may take a few minutes to check out the individual, but by doing so you are making a better decision in choosing an inspector.

In addition, we recommend that you interview the Home Inspector. Talk to the home inspector and find out their background.

• Do they have Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance?
• Are they members of a national non-profit trade association for home inspectors?

Membership in a non-profit association is a sign that the inspector is serious about his or her job. In addition, a home inspector must abide by the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics of the Association. 

We encourage clients to attend the inspection and ask questions - this provides you the opportunity to learn more about the home and about any visible defects that might be found.

Yes, each inspector carries E&O insurance.