Residential Inspections
With each Home Inspection, an easy to read Narrative Report with Full Photo Documentation is provided. The report is saved into a .pdf file that is easily accessed from our website, where we provide our Client with their own username and password; it is easily viewable from any computer, at any time convenient to our Client and the report can be saved and sent anywhere, at the Client's discretion.
Single Family Home Inspection
The scope of a Residential Home Inspection is to perform a visual analysis of the premises for the purpose of identifying major, readily observable deficiencies and to disclose to the Client the general condition of the residence and its systems. The inspection includes, but may not be limited to, the exterior of the residence, where the roof will be examined, checking for any apparent defects, proper installation and estimating the age and useful remaining life; the exterior walls and foundation will be examined for excessive settlement in masonry structures, rot and decay in wood structures and overall condition; the grounds around the residence will be examined for proper drainage and possible hazards; if there is a crawl space and / or pool / spa, these will be inspected but additional fees may be incurred. As a large part of the inspection, the major systems of the home will be inspected; the electrical system will be thoroughly examined, looking at the source of entry and its condition, proper grounding, the condition of the electrical panel and the wiring inside and the proper grounding and condition of the branch circuits; the plumbing system will be inspected for the use of proper materials, leaks in the supply and waste lines, proper operation of the fixtures, the condition and operation of the water heater, including its age and anticipated useful life; the air conditioning and heating systems will be inspected for proper capacity and overall condition, the age and useful life of its components, the proper temperature differentials and the condition of the distribution system. The interior of the home will be inspected room by room, looking at all of the various components, including the walls, ceiling, floor, doors, windows, outlets, as well as plumbing and appliances, as they relate to each particular room.
It is important to keep in mind, the Home Inspection has clearly defined limitations and is not a substitute for the Seller’s Disclosure Statement, which the seller is required to provide.
Multi-Family Inspection
The scope of a Multi-Family Inspection is performed on buildings, such as Apartment Complexes or Condominium Developments and are often more similar to our Commercial Inspections, in that the inspection is often limited to the major components of structural integrity, the roof, electrical, exterior A/C components and major plumbing system. Also, due to the large size of the buildings and numerous units, the inspection is often limited to a random percentage of the units.
Condominium Inspection
The scope of a Condominium Inspection is very similar to the Single Family Inspection, however, the exterior components are not inspected, as these are generally under the jurisdiction of the Condominium Association and are not the responsibility of the Owner. There are two exceptions to the inspection of the exterior components, the first is the exterior portion of the A/C system, which will be inspected, the second exception is in a Townhouse Inspection. The Townhouse Inspection is treated the same as a Single Family Residential Inspection because where the exterior may not be the responsibility of the Homeowner, the condition of the exterior components greatly affect the condition of the interior components and any potential defects need to be noted.
Mobile Home Inspection
The scope of a Mobile Home Inspection is essentially the same as a Single Family Inspection.
Duplex, Triplex and Quadplex Inspection
The scope of a Duplex, Triplex and Quadplex Inspection is very similar to the Single Family Inspection, however, the exterior is treated as one unit, with the condition of the exterior walls, foundation and roof reported as one entity. However, the interior components are reported separately, including the electrical, A/C and plumbing systems.
What is not included in a Home Inspection
In accordance with ASHI and FABI Standards of Practice (viewable at www.ashi.org or www.fabi.org respectively), Suncoast does not evaluate or endorse any concealed areas or components, such as subterranean ducts, pipes, or conduits within walls, floors, or ceilings, obstructed switches and outlets, the slab beneath carpets, the interior of heat exchangers, air-conditioning coils and supply ducts, significant portions of chimney flues, and the waterproof membrane beneath roofs, balconies or shower pans. Also, we do not evaluate or endorse the following specific components: computerized systems, radio or remotely controlled components, central vacuum systems, alarm, telephone, cable, or intercom systems, water softeners, water circulating devices, water filtration or purification devices, the hermetic seal of dual glazed windows or skylights, solar systems, fire-sprinkler systems, shut-off valves that are not in daily use, elevators, saunas, steam showers, humidifiers, electronic air cleaners, in-line duct motors or dampers, washers, dryers, and their valves or drain pipes, condensate pumps, thermostats, timers, clocks, rotisseries, refrigerators, portable or free standing appliances, retaining walls, landscaping or landscape items, including decorative and low-voltage lighting, portable spas, fountains and ponds, barbecues, fire-pits, pool sweep assemblies, in-line chlorinators, or similar devices dispensing bromine or ozone, and the coatings on pools, spas, countertops, fixtures, appliances, decks and walkways. Suncoast does not evaluate or endorse private sewage systems or private water supply systems unless specifically contracted or in advance to the inspection.
