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Examines the four major systems in a home. Certain conditions in the home could be a future liability, and a 4PT inspection can alert the insurance company to potential problems.
Checks your home's wind-resistant features. These features can be anything from door/window coverings to the way your roof is attached to your home to how your roof is sealed to prevent water from entering.
A flood elevation certificate is a document needed to verify your property’s elevation relative to the estimated height floodwaters could reach in the event of a major flood.
An appraisal is a walk-through and a general assessment of a home, analyzed with the help of nearby comparable sales.
Homeowners insurance reimburses you when your home or personal property are damaged, burglarized, or destroyed by a peril that's covered by your policy.
Lets you know the condition a roof is in and gives you an estimation of the remaining life of the roof.
Our drone operation specialist have the experience and knowledge to assess damage and inspect various aspects of your home, business and more.
Examine the interior and exterior areas of your home, checking for visible signs of a termite infestation.
A home inspection covers every aspect of a property’s condition and can alert you of existing or potential problems.
A 4-point home inspection is an analysis of the well-being of your home. It’s known as a 4-point inspection because it examines four major systems: roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC.
Many insurance companies require it before you can get or maintain home insurance coverage. The inspection is a chance for the insurer to get an opinion from an unbiased professional on a house’s condition. It helps the insurer to understand the risks of the real estate they’re insuring.
Certain conditions in the home could be a future liability, and a 4-point inspection can alert the insurance company to potential problems. Many newer homes don’t require it. However, it can be necessary in older homes because they’re more likely to be in disrepair or have had repairs that may not meet building codes.
WHAT DOES A 4-POINT INSPECTION COVER?
A 4-point inspection covers the major components found in most homes:
HVAC system: Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
Electrical system: Electrical wiring and electrical panels
Plumbing system: Hot water heater and existing water damage
Roofing: Roof covering and roof shingles
A wind mitigation inspection (also called a windstorm mitigation inspection) is when a certified inspector checks your home’s wind-resistant features. These features can be anything from door/window coverings to the way your roof is attached to your home to how your roof is sealed to prevent water from entering.
A roof certification is an inspection that lets you know the condition a roof is in and gives you an estimation of the remaining life of the roof. They are not typically included in a regular home inspection—they’re not always stipulated in purchase contracts, either.
A roofing certification company inspects a roof with the same criteria and checks other items that affect the roof’s life (as well as your pocketbook).
If the roof does not require repairs, the roofing company will estimate its remaining life and certify its condition. The certification is good for two to five years, depending on local customs.
If the roof does require repairs, the roofing company will issue the certificate after it is repaired. If you have a roof warranty, be sure to get any damages repaired while it’s in effect.
An appraisal is a walk-through and a general assessment of a home, analyzed with the help of nearby comparable sales. The goal of an appraisal is to determine the fair market value of a property. It is conducted by a licensed professional appraiser. While an appraiser will visit a home in person, the majority of the work will be done in their office, as they compare the home’s features, location, and finishes with other comparable recent sales in the area.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN APPRAISAL?
During an appraisal, a licensed appraiser evaluates the home you want to buy in person and gives you an estimate on how much it’s worth. Typically, the appraiser is chosen by the lender but paid for by the buyer as part of the closing costs.
Appraisals cost around $400, but can cost a bit more or a bit less depending on your home size and location. The appointment usually takes about an hour, and then the appraiser will complete the report back at their office.
A flood elevation certificate (EC) is a document needed to verify your property’s elevation relative to the estimated height floodwaters could reach in the event of a major flood (especially in high-risk zones). In addition, ECs are used by the NFIP (and some private flood insurance carriers) to provide elevation information necessary to:
Decide the correct flood insurance premium cost
Ensure compliance with community floodplain management ordinances
Support a request for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or a Letter of Map Amendment based on fill (LOMR-F)
WHO NEEDS AN ELEVATION CERTIFICATE?
For certain constructions in a high-risk flood zone or if your flood zone has recently changed, an elevation certificate may be required if your flood insurance policy is written through a federally regulated insurance lender such as the NFIP. This is because in high-risk flood zones, there is at least a one in four chance a flood could occur during a 30-year mortgage. Private insurers, however, do not always require ECs – even in high-risk flood zones.
Flood EC’s are not required and are not used for flood zone rating in moderate- to low-risk areas (Zones B, C and X), undetermined risk areas (Zone D), or certain high-risk areas eligible for other subsidies (e.g., Zones AR and A99).
A property survey confirms a property’s boundary lines and legal description. It also determines other restrictions or easements included in the property. While you can technically get your property surveyed at any time, confirming the boundaries of your land is an important part of the home buying process.
Depending on your mortgage company and where you live, a property line survey may or may not be legally required. However, getting a property survey done lets you know in no uncertain terms what land you’re responsible for and where you can build, while empowering you and your mortgage lender or title insurance company to set the most accurate terms of your agreements.
There are different types of property surveys, but they all determine important characteristics and features of the land based on what the property owner needs.
Homeowners insurance reimburses you when your home or personal property are damaged, burglarized, or destroyed by a peril that’s covered by your policy. In order to make use of that coverage, you need to file a homeowners insurance claim.
HOW DOES A HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE CLAIM WORK?
When you file a homeowners insurance claim, you’re putting to use the coverage that you pay hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars for on an annual basis. If the damage is covered by your policy, the expectation is that you’ll be fully reimbursed for the loss and you can go on living your life as it was before the incident.
The inspector will look at the interior and exterior areas of your home, checking for visible signs of a termite infestation, which include: droppings, broken wings, mud tubes, and damaged wood.
The inspector will check your baseboards, walls, windows, crawl spaces, door frames, insides of cabinets and closets. During this inspection, he or she will need access to every area of your home, including the garage and attic, and will pay special attention to the bathrooms, kitchens, and utility rooms. Why? Because subterranean termites often use the places where plumbing penetrates the slab to gain access to your home.
Outside your home, the inspector will look at the exterior walls and eaves of the house, and closely examine the foundation. In addition to signs of damage to the wood, the inspector will be on the lookout for mud tubes on the foundation. Having thoroughly inspected the home itself, the inspector will move on to the surrounding property and yard to make sure those areas are not showing signs of termite activity.
HOW TO PREVENT FUTURE TERMITE TREATMENT:
GETTING RID OF EXCESS MOISTURE
Repair leaky faucets as soon as possible, and don’t let water accumulate near your foundation. Keep gutters clear from clogs, and use downspouts to divert water away from the house. Make sure the soil around your house is graded to keep water away from the foundation.
KEEPING LANDSCAPING CLEAN
Don’t let wood debris, mulch, or firewood come into contact with your home’s exterior surfaces, and remove any old tree stumps or dead trees from your property. Try to prevent any wood to soil contact, both on your home and with any fences on your property. Trim trees and shrubbery so that they don’t touch wood surfaces on the house and give termites a great way to get in.
REPAIRING YOUR ROOF AND ATTIC AS SOON AS THERE’S AN ISSUE
Broken roof tiles and attic entrances can expose wooden beams in the attic and provide easy access for termites.
SAYING NO TO CARDBOARD
Cardboard boxes in your attic and garage can be a food source for termites, so keep these to a minimum.
KEEPING YOUR EYES OPEN TO SIGNS OF A TERMITE INFESTATION
Look in your window sills for discarded wings, pay attention to hollow sounding floorboards, and check for mud tubes on your home’s exterior.
SCHEDULING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION BY A PROFESSIONAL
A Full Inspection (also known as a pre-purchase) is an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a house, from the roof to the foundation. On average, a single-family home inspection usually takes 2-4 hours to complete, though this is heavily dependent on the of the size and condition of the home. After the inspection process, the inspector will send the client an inspection report (often within 24-48 hours) that covers their findings, complete with pictures, analysis and recommendations.
WHAT DOES A FULL INSPECTION INCLUDE?
The standard home inspector’s report will cover the condition of the home’s heating system; central air conditioning system (temperature permitting); interior plumbing system; electrical system; the roof, attic and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; and the foundation, basement and structural components.
It is important to note that there may be some exceptions. If certain areas are inaccessible (locked door, tenant’s belongings in the way) or unsafe conditions (severely steep roofs, poor structural integrity) the inspector will explain the situation and note that they were not able to assess that specific area or system.
WHY DO HOMEBUYERS NEED A FULL HOME INSPECTION?
Buying a home could be the largest single investment the homebuyer will ever make. To minimize unpleasant surprises and unexpected difficulties, homebuyers should strive to learn as much as they can about the house before they buy it. A home inspection may identify the need for major repairs or builder oversights, as well as the need for maintenance to keep it in good shape. Through the home inspection process, homebuyers will have a better understanding about their prospective house, which will allow them to make decisions with confidence. If a homeowner is planning to sell their home, a home inspection can give them the opportunity to make repairs that will put the house in better selling condition.
APC Engineering is a fully licensed and nationally certified company offering over 20 years of value to various counties in South Florida.
Our company focuses on what we believe is the most important attribute in any business, customer service. For us you’re not just another transaction, we value your business and your time. We believe customer service is the heart and soul of any business including ours.
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