SERVICES

The purpose of a windstorm inspection is to determine the appropriateness of a given structure’s construction in the event of strong winds, such as those present in a hurricane.If you live in a coastal state, you’ve probably heard of Wind Mitigation Insurance. If you’re a Florida resident, especially – that peninsular state sprawling into the Atlantic and Gulf, flirting with tropical storms and hurricanes every summer and fall – almost assuredly you’re familiar. And if you’re not, you might want to reconsider the significant savings a home inspection may offer, should nature’s fury unleash.Many property owners receive wind mitigation inspections to assess the preparedness of their homes and businesses in resisting the effects of windstorm damage or loss. Interestingly, even in Florida, wind mitigation inspections are not required by insurance companies or mortgage lenders – it’s totally optional, unlike some derivative of the four-point home inspection (which assesses the status of a property’s electrical, HVAC, and plumbing systems plus the roofing) or a more intensive roof condition inspection. So why would someone want to order an extra inspection if it isn’t 100% needed? Because it could save you money!That’s right – SAVE YOU MONEY. Wind Mitigation Insurance is the only inspection that is almost guaranteed to result in some level of insurance discount on your insurance premium.Florida looks at 8 key categories, described below:

• Roof Covering: inspectors want to know when the roof was installed and does if it meets building codes. In Florida, the code standard was updated in 2001.
• Roof Deck Attachment: inspectors will determine what type of roof decking is used and how it’s attached to the underlying structure, like if it’s nailed or stapled down. If nails are used, nail length and spacing between each will also be noted.
• Roof to Wall Attachment: the roof attachments become the focus here: are trusses attached with nails or hurricane clips? Are the wraps single or double? The more secure your roof, the better impact on your wallet!
• Roof Geometry: is your roof hip or not? Nope, the inspector won’t care how cool it is, just how it’s shaped – a hip roof resembles that of a pyramid, and is a definite qualifier for a discount.
• Gable End Bracing: if the roof is a gable style, an inspector will review if the gable ends are braced to Florida Building Code standards. Gable ends measuring more than 48 inches tall should be braced for reinforcement, and inspectors will be checking for this qualification for discount.
• Wall Construction Type: Inspectors will review the construction materials used on your home for framing, reinforcement, and outer fascia, and at what percentages. Steel reinforced concrete block homes may yield a better discount than one with a plywood-only frame and plastic siding.
• Secondary Water Barrier: This is a newer item for roofs. If your roof was installed or upgraded before 2008, it’s fairly unlikely you’ll have this sort of barrier. As with most newer features, photo documentation, at a minimum, will be required for a discount in this area.
• Opening Protection: Here, inspectors are looking for shutters and installed-protection devices from wind-born debris for doors and windows. They will also be checking the rating of the devices, if you have them (as in- are they hurricane-rated?). 100% of all openings need to be covered with Hurricane rated protection to qualify for this discount.

In the end, investing in a wind mitigation inspection is at your own discretion. The potential cost-savings per year could easily outweigh the cost. If you live in a coastal region, avoiding a wind mitigation inspection is at your own peril.

With the ever-changing home owners insurance market in Florida, most homes over 20 years old will need an inspection called the Four (4) Point Insurance Inspection. These are usually needed when the home owner changes insurance companies or their current insurer drops them and cancelled their policy. Additionally a home that is over 50 years old will most likely be put in the insurance pool called Citizens Insurance and will need a Citizens Insurance Inspection that is similar to the 4 Point Inspection, except that it must be completed by an ASHI certifed inspector, a NACHI certified inspector or equivalent.

The 4 Point Insurance Inspection was created after Hurricane Andrew struck Florida in 1992. It is completed on behalf of the insurance companies and, typically, as a requirement for the insurer to offer insurance to the home owner. After 2004?s barrage of hurricanes that affected Florida, the 4 Point Insurance Inspection has taken on added importance. As insurance companies are beginning to see the benefit of the inspection, the program is spreading to other areas of the country. The benefit to the insurance company is, obviously, reduced loss risk on home owners insurance policies. This is an area of business that has, for many years, been a money loser for insurance companies.

In 2002, the Florida Legislature passed a law that combined the Florida Residential Property and Casualty Joint Underwriting Association (FRPCJUA) and the Florida Windstorm Underwriting Association (FWUA.) This resulted in the creation of Citizens Property Insurance Coporation (Citizens), which more efficiently and effectively provides insurance to, and serves the needs of, home owners in high-risk areas and others who cannot find coverage in the open, private insurance market. It is funded by premiums paid by the insured and from other insurance companies paying into the program to reduce their overall losses.

What is inspected?

• HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning)
• Electrical wiring and panels
• Plumbing connections and fixtures
• Roof

A roof inspection is one of those preventative maintenance jobs that’s easy to overlook. Don’t. Add a once-a-year reminder on your calendar to go out on a warm day and fix any problems you find. The roof is a critical component of any structure. Regardless of the climate, you will want to assure the roofing system in your structure is performing correctly. At Home Inspectors of South Florida, we take the time to evaluate the roofing system from the roof edge, roof top and the attic. Some of the components in your inspection report will be:

• Material Condition
• Roof Covering Age
• Roof Covering Type
• Geometrical Shape
• Leaks
• Visible Damage
• and more…

If your home is more than 25 years old, you may be required to provide proof that your roof has been replaced (or is under contract for replacement) to be eligible for coverage. Use the chart below to determine whether this requirement applies to your property. If your home is subject to this requirement, you still may be eligible, even without proof of replacement, if you submit documentation from a qualified inspector verifying the roof has at least three years of remaining useful life.

You should always consider hiring a licensed termite inspector before purchasing real estate or buying a home. Termite damage far exceeds damage caused to homes by tornadoes, hurricanes and flooding and is rarely covered by homeowner insurance policies. Traditional home inspectors often are not thoroughly trained to recognize existing or potential termite damage. Early detection can save homeowners substantial repair costs.

A termite inspection will provide potential homebuyers with reports. These reports outline both any existing damage or infestations and areas that are liable to incur future infestations. Areas of concern include open access points in the foundation or lower levels of a home and significant moisture deposits. Professional pest control companies can assist in correcting areas that pose a threat of infestation.

The results of these reports should not necessarily deter a home buyer from purchasing the home in question. Negotiations may be entered into between buyers and sellers to arrange for further prevention and repairs to be made by the seller prior to sale. Sellers may also negotiate on price if termite damage is found.