Four Point Inspections

Most Florida insurance carriers today will require a four point inspection for homes 30 years old or older. Many insurance underwriters are even requiring them on newer homes.  The purpose of a four point inspection in Cape Coral is to determine if there are items that could potentially result in an insurance claim.  Some examples may include things like a leaking roof, exposed electrical, or faulty plumbing, just to name a few. 

The four points are roof, electrical, plumbing, and heating/cooling. 

• The roof is pretty basic; does it have at least 3 years remaining life?  Is it leaking?  Are their signs of deterioration?  Is there any truss or rafter damage?   
• The heating and cooling portion of the inspection is also pretty simple.  Most insurers just want to know the age of the A/C and heating systems and if they are operational.   
• The electrical and plumbing sections are where I see most of the problems in regards to Fort Myers four point inspections.  The electrical system needs to be in good and operating condition.  Even small items like exposed wires, loose outlets, or damaged light fixtures can hold up binding a policy.  Most important are the expensive items.  These days most insurance companies will not insure homes that still have fuse boxes rather than circuit breakers.  Also, some panels like Federal Pacific, Challenger, Zinsco, and Sylvania must be replaced since they are faulty and not reliable.  These types of items can pose a much larger expense than loose outlets or damaged fixtures. 
• Plumbing can also present big problems in terms of insuring a home.  Of course, there are items like faulty shut off valves, leaking faucets, and leaking drain pipes; however, there are also potentially major items like polybutylene plumbing.  If polybutylene is present, then the house must be repiped before the home can be insured.  Repipes are fairly common in southwest Florida, running between $3,500 and $5,000 for an average size 2,000 square foot home.   

It is vital to have this four point inspection in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and all of SWFL done at the same time as the home inspection.  This will allow for negotiations to be done before the inspection period is over.  If a buyer waits until after the inspection period, then the required repairs may not be negotiable. 

For more information on four point inspections you can call us anytime at 239-220-5107 or REQUEST AN INSPECTION.