FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)
About the Inspectors
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What is the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors?
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Are you part of a national chain or franchise for home inspectors?
About the Inspection
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Why can’t I just have someone in my family, or a friend, take a look at the house for me?
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Why should I get an Inspection, when I’m going to need an Appraisal anyway?
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How can I find out if there are environmental concerns at my new home?
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Will you be able to tell if my appliances have any safety issues or recalls?
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Will you tell me all about the house at the end of the Inspection?
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What is the difference between a standard inspection and a limited inspection?
About the Report
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Does my home comply with all of the current building codes and laws?
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Does my Inspection Report cover the same information as the Sellers Disclosure?
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Is the seller required to fix the problems that my Inspection discovers?
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Who do you recommend for repairs that might be needed on the property?
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What if my contractor disagrees with a recommendation that was made in the Inspection Report?
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How long is the Inspection Report good for? When does the Report expire?
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What if I find a new concern that is not listed in the Report?
The Answers
Are you a certified Inspector?
Yes, we are certified by the National Association of
Certified Home Inspectors. This certification is acquired by
completing a rigorous examination and ongoing training in all facets of home
inspections. Click here to verify our listing with InterNACHI. We have literally decades of
extensive, hands-on construction experience to add to this.
We know construction!
Are you licensed by the State of Florida?
Currently, the State of Florida does not license or regulate Home Inspectors. We
are certified by the International Association
of Certified Home Inspectors.
What is the International Association of
Certified Home Inspectors?
The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) is a professional organization that certifies
inspectors, provides the national Standards of Practice,
operates the Inspectorseek website, and offers continuing
education to its members. As part of its continuing
education program, InterNACHI encourages the exchange of
ideas on its message board. Assurance Home Inspection Group
does not endorse all of the ideas or comments that are made
on the InterNACHI website.
Are you part of a national chain or franchise
for home inspectors?
No; We are a locally-owned small business. We live here, we
are your neighbors. This allows us to give you friendly,
individualized attention to your home inspection needs. We
will personally be available to you for any questions or
concerns you may have before, during and after your
inspection.
Do you work for a real estate agent?
No, we are independent home inspectors. We work for you, the
client, and our Report is not influenced by others who have
an interest in your real estate transaction. Real estate
agents often make referrals to home inspectors as a courtesy
to you, the client. But the home inspector does not work for
the real estate agent or company, and you are free to use
the home inspector that you choose. We hope after further
investigation you will choose us.
Are you a member of
the local Realtors Association?
We have chosen not to be an affiliate of the Realtors
Association at this time. We have done this to avoid even
the appearance of a conflict of interest. Inspectors must
remain objective and independent of the real estate agents
or brokers involved in a sale. Even though we cooperate with
Realtors in many ways before and after the inspection, our
responsibility is to serve you, the client. Since we are not
Realtors Association members, we do not use specific Realtor
tools, such as the detailed MLS information about your
property.
How long have you been inspecting homes?
Unlike some “home inspectors” who simply join an organization, pay their dues
and call themselves inspectors, we have literally decades of hands-on
construction experience behind us, while we are relatively new to the
home inspection business we have held our own businesses in
construction and remodeling. The inspector you want to hire
is one who is knowledgeable of construction, what can and does go wrong with
construction. We are. For
more explanation please see the next answer.
What training have you had for home
inspections?
Prior to the studying, testing and the continuing education
it takes to remain a members in good standing of The International Association
of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI),
we worked in the construction industry. We have decades
of hands-on construction experience under our belts. We have
been involved with most all types of construction; from
slabs to roofs, doghouses (ask for details) to
beachfront condominium high-rises, residential, commercial, we have
done most all of it. We have also redone and finished much
of what others have done or begun. We have had our own
remodeling and structure repair businesses. We know the ins
and outs of construction and repair from top to bottom. Been
there and done that. We have the hands-on construction
experience you want your home inspector to have. We knew
what to look for in home inspection BEFORE we became home
inspectors.
We keep up with latest industry news, new technologies in construction and apply
these to our home inspection business.
We are conscientious, ethical and professional about the type of work we do and if you allow us to work for you that will be readily apparent. As home inspectors, we are extremely aggressive at finding potential areas of concern, we will work very hard for you so you will have all the information you need to make a well informed decision regarding your home.
Aren't all home inspectors the same?
Here in Florida, anyone can call themselves a “home
inspector” whether they have been trained or not, there is
presently legislation pending for licensing. So when you are looking for an
inspector, be sure to ask these simple questions: Is the
inspector certified by a national organization?
We are
InterNACHI certified. Does the inspector follow the national
standards for an inspection? We follow the
InterNACHI
Standards of Practice for each Inspection. Is the
inspector a full-time inspector? We are full time
inspectors, this is not a “second job” for us. Is the
inspector knowledgeable of the construction industry, past
and present? We have decades of hands-on experience in
the building industry. Answering these questions you will have the information you need to make your decision about a home inspector.
Do I live in an area that you serve?
We do Home Inspections in the following highlighted counties
of Northwest Florida; if you live outside of this area give
us a call anyway as we may have extended our area of
coverage since the publication of this page.
Link to
counties, cities, townships and zip codes served.
Do you do accessibility
inspections?
Assurance Inspections offers a visual-only
Accessibility Inspection and report.
This report does not cover all of the possible local, state and federal
requirements regarding accessibility or barrier reduction. The information
presented within this report is to be used as general guidance. It is not a
determination of legal rights or responsibilities. This report may be offered in
conjunction with a complete commercial building inspection or offered as a
separate, stand-alone inspection service.
What if I’m not happy with your service?
To date that has never been a problem. We have never had a dissatisfied home inspection client. We have only received high praise for our thoroughness and our ability to uncover the smallest areas of concern. That does not mean we have not considered the eventual possibility. We have every confidence in our abilities and our capability to convey our findings and solutions to you in a manner you will understand and can act on.
If, after the inspection and the follow up discussion you are for some reason displeased with our work we will do everything in our power, within reason, to make it right. If we somehow fail to measure up to your standards we will walk away and forgo our fee!
One hundred percent client satisfaction is our goal and we will accept
nothing less! Neither Should You!
Return to
Question List
We perform an Inspection of the entire visible premises without disassembly or destruction of any portion of the property. This Inspection will point out defects and assets of the property to assure any buyer of making a fully informed decision. An Assurance Home Inspection relieves much of the anxiety and buyer's remorse associated with purchasing a home, most people's biggest investment.
Assurance guarantees an unbiased Home Inspection. We will describe all concerns we find and recommend ways to correct these concerns. We will also point out assets above the norm, such as energy efficiency issues and wind protection systems.
Why can’t I just have someone in my family,
or a friend, take a look at the house for me?
Your family member, or friend, may be very handy. They may
even be a building contractor. However, they are not trained and
experienced in looking for unsuspected items and problems in
homes. In fact, many contractors hire a home inspector when
they are about to purchase a home.
Do I need an engineer to do my home
inspection?
You need a home inspector. When you hire a home inspector, you are hiring an experienced professional who has training and experience in the building industry. The job of the home inspector is not only to evaluate the condition of the home's major systems and structural integrity, but also to evaluate how these systems are working together and identify areas that need to be repaired, replaced or watched.
Your home inspector gives you a Big Picture analysis of the home you are purchasing. If the Home Inspector identifies the need for a costly and detailed analysis of any of the home's systems or structures, the inspector will recommend the appropriate professional, which will be an experienced engineer with expertise analyzing that particular system or structure.
The need for expensive and detailed analysis is rare.
Hiring an Engineer on your own can be a disappointing experience. The term Engineer does not mean that the individual has training or experience conducting home inspections. Additionally, a home inspection does not involve engineering analysis. Hiring an Engineer to complete a home inspection costs more and may not give you the results you deserve.
Why should I get an Inspection, when I’m
going to need an Appraisal anyway?
An Inspection is different than an Appraisal. An Inspection describes the
physical condition of the home, its
systems and concerns, in detail, so that the customer can make an informed decision.
An Appraisal estimates the value or cost of the home, based
on recent sales in the neighborhood and other extraneous
data. An Appraisal does not describe the home’s condition,
except in very general terms.
Why do I need an inspection for a newly
built home, since the county building inspector has already
looked at it?
Did you know that many county building inspectors may see up to 30 new houses a day?
That’s only about 15 minutes at each site. That’s not nearly
enough time to notice the detailed items that make such a difference in a new
home. Besides, building codes are the bare minimum, anything less would be
illegal! Many times building codes do not cover small mistakes that can cost you
big money down the road. Ask us for details.
Why do I need an inspection, my new home has a warranty? What do
I do after the warranty ends?
Your warranty usually begins on the date of purchase
(closing). It gives peace of mind to know that the warranty
items have all been inspected, so that you should not have
to worry about getting items corrected after moving in. All
new construction inspections from Assurance Home Inspection Group include a follow-up inspection
one to two months before the end of your warranty. Any items that
need correction before the warranty expires will be inspected so that you can
exercise your warranty rights.
How much will the Inspection cost?
Your standard Inspection will cost between $349 and $500, depending
on the size, age and location of your property. Please refer to the
Price List contained on this website.
How soon can you schedule an Inspection?
An Inspection can usually be scheduled within 12 hours from
when we first hear from you.
Which components of the home will be
inspected?
An Assurance Home Inspection includes the grounds, exterior, structural
components, foundation, roof, attic, insulation, plumbing, electrical,
heating/AC, garage-if attached, kitchen, bathrooms,
other interior rooms and much, much more. A
summary list of the Four Major
Systems. A detailed list of what is
inspected please see the
Standards of Practice page.
What if the house is vacant?
If the house is not occupied, then the utilities may be off.
You can check with your real estate agent to find out if
that’s the case. Working utilities are a normal part of
presenting the house and making it available for Inspection.
In many cases the seller can arrange for utilities to be
available for Inspection. If for some reason the utilities
are not available, please notify us prior to the Inspection.
We can make those arrangements for a $50 fee, plus any
actual charges made by the utility companies. Remember that
the pilot lights need to be lit for any gas appliances,
prior to the Inspection.
What if the house is being sold “As
Is”?
When the listing for a house states that it is being sold “as is,” the
seller is usually unwilling or unable to make any repairs. This makes it very
important for you to have a thorough Inspection, so that you know the condition
of the property. It may still possible to negotiate the price with the seller,
although the seller is under no obligation to negotiate. Be sure to ask your real estate agent about
any “As Is” property and terms available. Also see the answer to vacant houses, above.
Will the Inspection include the sewer
line?
Since the sewer line is buried and not visible, it is not part of a general Home
Inspection. We recommend you have a separate sewer line inspection, especially
if the property has large trees that may impact the sewer line.
How can I find out if there are
environmental concerns at my new home?
Environmental services are not part of our standard
home inspection at this time.
It takes specialized laboratory equipment and highly trained personnel to give
you a reliable water test. It is quite possible that the environmental section
of your local health department can offer these services or guide you to
laboratory services.
Do you do mold testing or sampling?
No, we don’t do mold testing or sampling at the present
time. Since mold is a natural and common part of the
environment, all houses have mold. If the mold is visible on
a surface, then we suggest removing it. For non-visible
mold, no EPA or other federal limits have been set for mold
or mold spores, therefore sampling cannot be used to check a
building’s compliance with federal mold standards. If you
are sensitive or allergic to mold, then surface or air
sampling may be needed to determine if an area has been adequately remediated. A brief Guide to Mold from
the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can be found
here.
Do you test for radon?
No. There is extremely little to no radon in this area of
North West Florida. Leon county has been designated a
“moderate potential” area. Other than that area the panhandle
area has a “green light” as far as radon goes. Look here for yourself,
EPA radon map. We do not perform “scare tactic” or
unnecessary inspections to justify our rates. Most homes in the Panhandle of
Florida are not susceptible to radon, being either slab or crawl space type
foundations. If your home has the odd basement in
Florida, where Radon can concentrate and you are concerned, you may consider a
Radon home test kit sold at most
home improvement stores.
What is water quality sampling?
Water quality is determined by the presence or absence of contaminants in your
drinking water. If the property you are considering has a private well we
strongly suggest you have
a reliable water quality analyses done. In our area, residual pesticides are
sometimes a problem, as much of this area was is and was agricultural land.
You may want to inquire as to prior land usage if your home is in a newly developed area.
Your local health department should have all the information you need regarding water testing. You may also check with the Water Management District Office for your area.
Will you be able to tell if my appliances
have any safety issues or recalls?
There are literally thousands of safety alerts and recalls a year, we tried to
stay on top of them when we first began but it was just not possible for us. If you are
concerned, you
may want to search at the
Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Do you inspect for termites?
Your Home Inspection will include a basic visual inspection
for termites. This can include such clues as termite nests,
trails, tubes, and exposed wood damage. Evidence that is
hidden within walls, floors and other closed spaces obviously cannot
be detected by a visual inspection. Since we do not provide
licensed pest control services, we cannot give specific
advice about termite treatments, nor can we make any
guarantee or warranty about the presence or absence of pests. We refer our clients to their
local chamber of commerce or Better Business Bureau for listings of qualified
operators.
How long will the Inspection take?
Depending on the
size and age of the property, an average Inspection takes 2 to 5 hours, .
Are customers welcome to attend the
Inspection?
Yes, we encourage our clients to attend at least the last
hour of the inspection. This gives the buyers a good
opportunity to see the property in more detail while we are
completing the inspection. We also strongly encourage buyers
to ask questions at the end of the inspection. We will answer all questions and
point out areas of concern at this time.
Will you tell me all about the house at
the end of the Inspection?
We encourage questions at he end of the inspection. We are
not just home inspectors, we are also in the education
business. We want you to be as knowledgeable as possible
about the property in question. Only in this manner can you
make intelligent, well informed decisions. The verbal summary,
question and answer period will not include all of the
details that are to be found in your written Report. You
should not use the verbal summation for making decisions.
Wait until you receive and have read the written
Report so
that you may make informed decisions.
What is the difference between a standard
inspection and a limited inspection?
A standard inspection follows the complete
InterNACHI Standards of Practice. All typical home
inspections, new construction, sellers, and multi-family
inspections are standard inspections. A limited inspection
only follows those sections of the
Standards of Practice that the client specifically
requests. Investor inspections, draw, phase, 4-point, and
single-system inspections are limited inspections. Limited
inspections do not follow the complete
Standards of Practice.
When will I receive my Inspection Report?
Your Inspection Report will typically be available online
within twelve hours following the inspection. We will email you an internet
link directing you to your secure report. You will be able to read,
print, or download your complete Report from any internet
connected computer.
Can you give me an immediate on-site
written report?
No, your report will not be written until we get back to the
office. Some inspection services do offer on-site reports,
which are little more than short checklists with some
comments added. We intentionally wait to write your report.
That gives us time to reflect and consider the house as a
whole, putting its parts and concerns into perspective. It
results in a higher quality report, with narrative
descriptions, photographs and links to helpful websites. We will
attempt to answer any and all questions you have, go over
our custom checklist with you, pointing out any major issues
found and discussing any of your areas of concern at the end of the
inspection. We will remain on site until all of your
questions have been answered.
Does the Report conform to national
standards?
Yes, the Report conforms to the
InterNACHI Standards of Practice..
When do I pay for my Inspection?
All Inspections are pre-paid. Payment and signed Agreement
are due on the date of the Inspection. Checks or cash are
accepted at the Inspection site. Credit cards are accepted
before the date of the Inspection, but not at the Inspection
site. In return we will make your online Report available
within twenty-four hours, usually twelve, of the date of the Inspection. Your
written Report and verbal summary cannot be released until
your payment and Agreement are received. Assurance Home
Inspection Group does not receive escrow payments.
What payment methods do you accept?
Cash, check, or credit card (via PayPal) are welcome. Credit
cards can only be accepted for advance payments, since we
don’t have access to credit card verification at the
inspection site. (The option to use a credit card will
appear in our confirmation e-mail for your Home Inspection.)
Who will get a copy of the Report?
The Report is for you, the client. In the standard Home
Inspection Agreement, you may give the inspector permission to
discuss observations with other interested parties. We can
discuss the report with anyone you wish. It is sometimes in
the buyer’s best interest to keep the contents of the report
confidential.
Does my
home comply with all of the current building codes and laws?
Our standard home inspection does not cover code research.
Without combing through records in your jurisdiction we are
unable to tell you if your house is “up to code” simply from
the inspection. A home inspection is not a code inspection.
Many things may have changed since your home was built. A
home built thirty years ago would not be “up to code” by
today’s standards without extensive remodeling, in most
cases. We may offer a code search service to you depending
on location, for an additional fee. We strongly suggest that
you do code research either way to insure any additions or
add-ons were performed safely and legally.
Does my Inspection Report cover the same
information as the Sellers Disclosure?
The Sellers Disclosure is a
separate item, where the sellers mention any concerns that
they are aware of. The Inspector does not usually see the
Sellers Disclosure, and it may contain different information
than the Inspection Report. If something in the Disclosure
catches your attention, you may ask the Inspector about it.
For more information about the Sellers Disclosure, see
Sellers Disclosure. We do not usually see the
Sellers disclosure statement. If you have questions about it
you may share that with us and we will make an extra effort
to address any issues you have. You may consider the
inspection report you receive from us an entirely separate
item.
Is the seller required to fix the
problems that my Inspection discovers?
This is one of the reasons for an Assurance thorough home
inspection. If major issues are brought to light from the
inspection you have negotiating leverage with the seller.
How you deal with that knowledge is of course your business.
You may ask the seller for a reduced price or a complete fix
or anything in between. Again, that is your call. We provide
the information for you to make an educated, informed
decision.
What is
deferred
maintenance?
Deferred
maintenance is synonymous for procrastination. It is in practice, the allowing
of a property to deteriorate by postponing repairs to save cost, labor and/or
material. Failure to perform needed repair, maintenance and renewal by normal maintenances creates
deferred
maintenance. A policy of continuing
deferred
maintenance will result in higher costs or failure than if
normal maintenance had occurred. This means it is your
responsibility as a homeowner to take good, ongoing care of
your property, or else it will cost you more in the long
run.
What if the home fails the Inspection?
The home cannot "fail" an inspection. The Inspection points out the true
and current condition of
the home. The Inspection is not a warranty or guarantee.
Who do you recommend for repairs that
might be needed on the property?
We do not make recommendations or referrals for home
repairs. That could be construed as a conflict of interest, and we only want to
serve you, the customer as the best Home Inspectors you can hire. We do try and keep a current list of contractors
available in our area for your information only. We no longer do home repairs or
construction, please do not ask.
What if my contractor disagrees with a
recommendation that was made in the Inspection Report?
If the contractor disagrees with the recommendation, you
should ask the contractor to put his response in writing and
sign it. This way you can make an informed decision without
feeling rushed into a verbal agreement. You may also want to
get another opinion before you finalize your decision. Be
sure to choose a licensed contractor who is qualified for
the specific work you need done.
How much will my repairs cost?
Since labor and materials are a market variable. We can’t
say how much repairs will cost you. There are several ways
to get a good idea. Call three contractors to give you an estimate. Don’t
necessarily choose the least expensive estimate because you want to consider quality as well
as price, just as with your Home Inspector. Go to
Home Inspector Locator - Cost to Repair for a list of
estimates to repair just about anything in your home.
Remember that in most cases
these are just estimates, until the specialist actually gets
started on the project and sees all of its details.
What if I have questions after the
Inspection?
We are here for you, the client. Our goal, besides the
inspection of your home, is customer education and complete
satisfaction with our services...
Call, email or FAX us if you have any questions.
What if my home needs to be re-inspected?
If repairs or changes have been made to the home, we will
re-inspect it once within 45 days of the original
Inspection for free. Our commitment to you. Your re-inspection will be
scheduled as soon as possible.
How long is the Inspection Report good
for? When does the Report expire?
Your Inspection Report describes the home’s condition as it
was found on the day of the Inspection. Conditions can
change daily due to ongoing use, deferred maintenance, and
environmental circumstances. Because of these changing
conditions, the Report can become outdated quickly. Your
follow-up service for a Standard Home inspection expires 45
days after the inspection date.
What if I find a new concern that is not
listed in the Report?
Between the time of the Inspection and your occupancy, the
home’s condition can change. And some problems can only be
discovered by living in the house - some problems just
cannot be discovered during the short time of a home
inspection. Some problems are intermittent, some are
concealed and some have no visible clues. We recommend that
you do a thorough walk-through of the home, with your
realtor, on the day of your closing. This walk-through can
help you identify concerns that may have come up since the
day of your Inspection. On request, Assurance Home
Inspection Group will provide you with a walk-through
checklist to be used on closing day.
Can other people use my Report?
If you do not purchase this property, then this Report
expires on the date that the purchase contract expires or is
cancelled. If you like, you may allow others to read your
Report as a part of your informed decision-making about your
purchase. You are not authorized to sell your report or pass your Report on to
other potential buyers, or to other real estate agents.
What if I want More Information?
If you need more information, would just like to comment on what you have found or not found at our website please use this Form to let us know. Your feedback will help us help you and others in the future by presenting the information you want. Thank you in advance for taking the time to help us.
Assurance Home Inspection Group, LLC
P.O. Box 471 • Greenwood, Florida 32443
850.209.4370 or 850.209.4405
FAX 850.482.3135