There is no such thing as failing a home inspection report. Home inspections are not meant to be “Pass or Fail.” A professional home inspector in Tampa, FL will perform an inspection that follows established industry guidelines to determine a home’s current condition. This information is then used for various purposes in the buying and selling process.
Some prospective buyers or home sellers fear a long list of problems or defects from a residential home inspection. Beryl Project Engineering has extensive experience in Tampa home inspections and we have seen all manner of issues with both newer and older homes. Here’s our best advice to you: Don’t panic when your home inspector in Tampa, FL presents you with a long report.
What is Included in a Residential Home Inspection?
The typical residential home inspection should include the basic elements of the home as identified by The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) industry standards. This includes:
- HVAC system and components
- Interior plumbing system
- Electrical system and components
- Roof
- Home and property drainage system
- Attic, including visible insulation
- Walls
- Ceilings
- Floors
- Windows and doors
- Appliance functionality
- Foundation
- Basement
- Structural components
Included in each of the above areas are specifics that contribute to the overall safety, soundness and functionality of the home. Some examples of specific actions a home inspector in Tampa, FL may take include running faucets and checking drains, flushing toilets, testing lights for operation, running appliances, checking windows and doors for opening and closing, measuring the depth of attic insulation, operating each function of the HVAC system and looking for areas of standing water close to the home’s exterior walls or in the crawl space.
What are the Most Common Issues Found by a Home Inspector in Tampa, FL?
Some homes can be expected to have certain problems. Older homes may show more evidence of wear and tear from prolonged use. That means some systems may need maintenance or even replacement. Newer homes should exhibit fewer signs of wear and tear but the home’s upkeep will also determine its condition.
Common problems found by a home inspector in Tampa, FL include:
- Roof leaks
- Inadequate insulation
- Insufficient number of electrical outlets
- Inoperable electrical outlets
- Under-floor plumbing leaks
- Dated HVAC systems
- Low-quality DIY renovations or repairs
- Missing/inoperative smoke or carbon monoxide detectors
- Safety issues like loose carpets or stair railings
In addition, many older homes in Florida can show signs of:
- Out-of-code / insufficient electrical system
- Structural / foundation damage
- Drainage problems
- Uneven settling
- Old, rusted or leaky plumbing
It is worthy to note that the majority of these problems can be remedied without substantial cost or investment. The current homeowner can even perform many tasks themselves.
How Can a Florida Home Inspection Impact the Sale of a Home?
We stated earlier that there is no pass or fail in a Florida home inspection. But the results of a home inspection can have an impact on the sale of a home. A long list of findings does not necessarily mean there are extensive problems with the home that need to be addressed by a professional.
There are many small items that could be noted by your home inspector in Tampa, FL that can be handled easily and quickly. Some examples of this could be:
- Tightening or adding new screws to a stairway railing
- Securing loose rugs or carpet
- Hammering down nails that have worked upward from decking
- Replacing a kitchen fire extinguisher, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Replacing window and door sealing
- Replacing simple plumbing fixtures to solve leaks
- Using home remedies to unclog drains
More substantial repairs or needed replacements can become part of your pre-sale negotiations with the seller. Some buyers prefer to make important repairs themselves in exchange for a lower purchase price. You may find that the long list of findings from your home inspector in Tampa, FL can be completely handled by you with little trouble — and you had nothing to worry about all along.
The first step is to schedule a residential home inspection with Beryl Project Engineering to get a comprehensive assessment of the home’s condition. Don’t worry about what could be when there could be nothing to worry about at all.
