1. This is one heck of a roof leak, but it was not visible from the exterior.

   What is a home inspection? Isn't it the same as an appraisal?
2. Why do I need a home inspection?
3. How do I select a good home inspector?
4. What should I ask regarding his training and experience?
5. In general, what kind of inspection report can I expect to receive?
6. Should I attend the inspection?
7. What does a home inspection generally cost?
8. How long does an inspection take?
9. Can I do a home inspection myself?
10. Can a house 'fail' an inspection?
11. If the report is favorable, did I really need an inspection?
12. How does your service compare to that of other home inspectors?
13. Why is a digital report format better?
14. You mention that you can schedule a WDO/termite inspection at the same time as the home inspection - what is that?

Check out the articles in our Article Archive!

1. What is a home inspection? Isn't it the same as an appraisal?

A home inspection is a visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a home. It is NOT an appraisal, which is a service that tells you what the home is worth. An inspection will basically tell you what is wrong with the property as well as all the good things! If you are a homeowner seeking the current status of your home, a home check up home inspection is exactly what you're looking for.

2. Why do I need a home inspection?

A home will probably be the single largest investment you will ever make. You should know exactly what to expect, inside and out, in terms of repairs and maintenance and their possible costs. Water marks on the ceiling, roof decking, or floor joists may indicate a chronic leakage problem or simply the result of a single incident. The home inspector interprets these and other clues, using sophisticated technology, then presents a professional and impartial opinion as to the condition of the property, so you can avoid any unpleasant surprises during your stay in the home. If something is discovered during the inspection, you can then plan a proper budget for repairing that issue instead of it sneaking up on you!

Of course, a good home inspection will also point out any positive aspects of a home. Find out more about the scope of inspection here.

3. How do I select a good home inspector?

You need to be able to interview your potential inspector and find the one that can best educate you in the maintenance and care of your home.

As the real estate market grows rapidly in the area, more inspectors are joining in the competition for your business. There are some very good inspection companies; however, there are some with very little in the way of proper training, experience, and knowledge.

Before you schedule a home inspection, interview a few inspectors using a comparison checklist. Plus, get a feel for their personality…are they a good communicator? Do you feel comfortable talking to them? Are they willing to explain the home inspection process to you? What of their training, affiliations, and experience? How many inspections have they performed? Do they use infrared technology? Are you welcome to attend the inspection, and will the report be delivered on site? We answer YES to these questions and more! With HomePro Inspections, you can be assured that we will listen to your concerns and present a report to answer your specific questions.

4. What should I ask about regarding the inspector's training and experience?

A very good question to ask is, What did the officers/owners of the company and the home inspector(s) do before they became home inspectors? Most home inspectors are generalists and not specialists. This gives them the ability to have a broad view of the property they will be surveying for you. Yet, if needed, do they have access to specialized information you may require?

What type of training did they have? How long was the training program? Was it approved by the American Society for Home Inspectors (ASHI)? ASHI is the oldest, most recognized, and leading association setting standards for home inspectors and the inspections they perform. Do they attend any type of ongoing training? Find out more about credentials and affiliations here.

5. In general, what kind of inspection report can I expect to receive?

The inspection process and the resulting report you receive are many and varied. There are computer generated reports, short and long narratives, and reports with supplemental information. You should find out what supporting documentation the inspector will supply with the report…does the report just list issues or does it explain the situation and offer suggestions on how to deal with each issue?

Ask the inspector what type of report you will receive and when you'll receive it. Is the report received upon completion of the inspection, or do you have to wait? Occasionally, in the time between the inspection and the time the report is made, the verbal information and written word change. You should be able to leave the inspection with your report and all questions answered so you can make informed decisions.

At HomePro, our clients will receive the HomeBook®, and their digital report printed on site. The HomeBook® is an outstanding resource which covers all the major systems in the home and details the items of concern. In essence it is an 'owner's manual' for your home, which can provide historical documentation should you decide to sell your home at some time in the future.

6. Should I attend the inspection?

We strongly recommend that you attend the inspection if at all possible. This is the time to ask questions about how the different systems in the home operate, and to express your concerns about the home. It should be an educational process, with all questions answered upon completion. After an inspection, a good inspection company will welcome your calls with questions and help you with issues that come up later.

7. What does a home inspection generally cost?

The cost for a home inspection varies from company to company. It will also depend upon the type of inspection you request and the characteristics of the property. Even rates among well qualified inspectors vary. Ask specifically what the inspector will do, using what technology, and using what experience - then be prepared to pay appropriately. If all you want is a cheap inspection, you can certainly find those all day long, but if you want quality, service, experience, and technology from a long-standing company, that service will be considerably more expensive. Please feel free to call us at 904-268-8211 for a proper quote, or schedule your appointment online.

8. How long should an inspection take?

A thorough home inspection should take several hours, depending on the size, condition, and characteristics of the home. Larger homes will require more time, as will older homes. Most inspections performed by HomePro fall into the 3-4 hour range, but if your home is older, larger, or more complex, it may take significantly longer.

9. Can I do a home inspection myself?

Even the most knowledgeable homeowner lacks the expertise of a professional home inspector who has inspected hundreds or even thousands of homes in their career. An inspector is equally familiar with all the elements of home construction and the proper installation, maintenance, and most importantly, the inter-relationship of the home's stystems. Plus, most owners find it hard to stay completely objective and unemotional about the home they have lived in, possibly leading to a poor assessment.

10. Can a house 'fail' an inspection?

No. A professional home inspection is simply an examination into the current condition of the home. It is not an appraisal or a municipal code inspection. The inspector acts as a spokesperson for the home, and relates impartial information to those who are interested in the home. A home inspector will not pass or fail a house but describe its condition at that particular time and indicate which items will be in need of immediate or future repair or replacement.

11. If the report is favorable, did I really need an inspection?

Definitely! Now you can have peace of mind in owning your home, knowing the condition of the property and the status of all its equipment and systems. The inspection will also allow you to plan for future maintenance of your home, and the HomeBook becomes an historical document once you decide to sell you home. You will have also learned a few things from the inspection and will want that knowledge in your future home buying experiences.

12. How does your service compare to that of other home inspectors?

We welcome you to find out about our services, then compare us to the competition. We're sure that you will find HomePro inspectors are the best in the business - well-educated, professional, sincere, unbiased, fair, and thorough. Our inspections are a complete service, with no hidden charges. We also include infrared technology as a part of our inspection service when you choose either our 5 Star or 4 Star Packages, something that no one in Florida provides! Our report format is easy to understand, easy to read (digital printout, no handwriting to decipher), and we include images with every report. We invite you to come along on the inspection, and if at the end of the inspection you are not as satisfied with us as you want to be, our guarantee, if you don’t love us it’s free! All of these factors separate us from our competition, and continue to make us the preferred choice for home inspections in all of Northeast Florida!

13. Why is a digital report format better?

Since the upgrade of the HomeBook report to a digital format, we now have the ability to print the completed report on demand (no more messy handwriting to decipher!) and email the report when necessary (don't have quick access to a fax machine? No problem!). We can now also showcase good points and bad points about the home through pictures (a picture IS worth a thousand words!). With HomePro Inspections, you get the best inspectors using the best reporting system - it can't get better than that! Digital also allows us to integrate infrared technology into our inspections, something that no other company offers!

14. You mention that you can schedule a WDO/termite inspection at the same time as the home inspection - what is that?

The Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services defines a Wood Destroying Organism (WDO) Inspection Report as a written report of an inspection on a home for visible and accessible evidence of an infestation or damage by wood destroying organisms. A WDO report is also commonly called a "Termite Inspection", "Clearance Letter", or "Termite Letter". This issue is so misunderstood that we have devoted a whole section of our website to it - please click here.