4-Point Inspection: What You Need To Know

Buying an older home or need your existing property to be surveyed? Click here to find out why the 4-point inspection could be the perfect option in Florida.

When purchasing a home in Florida or looking to maintain your existing house, you need to know that the property is in good health. Likewise, your insurance company will want to see proof of the home’s condition before offering you a plan. Completing a four-point inspection is one of the quickest and most efficient solutions.

So, what exactly are 4-point inspections and what should you expect from yours? Here’s all you need to know.

What are 4-point inspections?

The four-point inspection is a type of home survey that gives insurance companies the information they need regarding a property’s potential vulnerabilities. It looks at the age, function, safety, and miscellaneous issues that insurance underwriters would want to know.

Four-point inspections were introduced in Florida after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and are now used by thousands of homeowners each year. They are primarily used on homes that were built in the 20th century and may be used as a part of the pre-purchase procedure or when looking to gain a new insurance quote on your existing home.

Their main purpose is to help insurance companies, and homeowners, analyze how well the property has been maintained and whether aging has increased the risk of future damage.

What is included in a 4-point inspection?

As the name suggests, the four-point inspection investigates four of the home’s main attributes to confirm the overall health and identify any liability. They are detailed below:

Roof

The roof inspection will analyze the roof type, age, and condition or damage to predict its lifespan. In most cases, insurance companies expect the roof to have an existing lifespan of at least another five years.

Depending on the type of roof your property has, the report will cover the shingles, tiles, granules, and fastenings while also looking for leaks and other damage.

Electrical

The electrical inspection will consider the age, condition, and safety of all electrical wiring and panels in the home. This includes reporting past repairs and identifying the need for any additional repairs.

It is designed for older homes. So, if you have had a new electrical infrastructure added in recent years, this part of the four-point inspection will be brief.

Plumbing

The plumbing inspection will cover the water heater, sinks, tubs, showers, valves and plumbing pipes within the home to look at the age, condition, and risk potential. It will also detail issues with leaks or improper traps.

Polybutylene piping and discharge piping are often the most likely culprits for where issues may be found.

HVAC

The HVAC inspection will cover all aspects of the HVAC systems, including safety and function. This can include spotting signs of moisture, damage that could potentially lead to electrical fires, and more.

While the examination is primarily aimed at older systems, it can be used on newer HVAC units, too.

Why choose 4-point inspections?

Four-point inspections aren’t the only type of inspection that can be completed to check your home, with residential home inspections and pre-listing inspections just two of the other options. However, some homeowners opt for this option because it is;

  • The quickest solution to get your home inspected for insurance purposes,
  • Focused on the four most important issues to impact your investment and quality of life,
  • The cheapest option available, which means it’ll support your finances too.

The results of a four-point inspection can either help homeowners secure the best insurance quote from their provider or identify any issues that need rectifying to keep the property in good health. When buying or living in a slightly older home, it is one of the most important assignments you can complete.

To book your 4-point inspection in Florida today, schedule an inspection with Advantage Inspections!