A short inspection of four systems that many Florida carriers require before they will write or renew an older home. It is narrower than a full home inspection and it is about insurability, not negotiation.
For each system the inspector records the age, the condition, the material and whether there are any active problems or known hazards.
Age, covering type, visible condition and the estimated years of life left. Roof is the item that fails a report most often.
Panel brand and age, wiring type, and any hazards. Certain older panel brands and knob and tube or aluminum branch wiring are common problems.
Supply and drain material, water heater age, and any active leaks. Polybutylene and older galvanized supply lines raise concern.
Type, age and whether it is operational. A system well past its expected life can hold up a policy.
If the inspector notes only a few years of life left, most carriers want it replaced before they will bind coverage.
Some panel brands from decades past have a poor safety record and carriers will not write a home that still has one.
A gray plastic supply pipe used into the 1990s that is prone to failure. Many carriers decline it or require replacement.
Past a certain age these become a claim risk. Sometimes a carrier will write the home with a note to replace within a set time.
Any visible water intrusion or unrepaired damage needs to be fixed and documented before a policy can move forward.
Carriers set their own rule, but a home roughly thirty years or older will usually need one for a new policy, and sometimes at renewal.
A licensed home inspector or a licensed contractor in the relevant trade. It usually takes under an hour.
A four point looks only at those four systems for insurability. If you are buying, you still want a full inspection for your own decision.
If the home is older, ask your inspector to do the four point and the wind mitigation on the same visit. I will need both.
Send the address and the inspection reports and I will tell you what carriers will do with it.