THE PURPOSE
Generally the purpose of the Building Survey or Home Inspection is to allow a Qualified Building Professional to examine the property in detail and to identify any risk to be incurred financially or structurally by the purchaser or lenders. The basis of the findings and subsequent report will determine if the sale will be re-negotiated or succeed with conditions. If a Survey of Home Inspection is not carried out, the buyer in most cases assumes all risk. The common Latin phrase is “Caveat Emptor” meaning “Let the Buyer Beware”
FLORIDA
Many people are unaware that the Home Inspection industry in Florida is currently unlicensed and unregulated. There are government proposals to try to pass a bill and regulate the industry by 2010 but in the past this has been pushed out of favor. This unfortunately means that anyone can literally be working in the industry with little or no knowledge of construction or local building standards. Property in Florida is constructed differently as apposed to UK Building Standards and is not as stringent. It is imperative that before purchasing a property that a professional Home Inspection is carried out. Several professional organizations have been established to assist with setting up a common Standard of Practices. Membership to these organisations is Not mandatory therefore all current members are clearly demonstrating their ability & commitment to professionalism for consumers who recognise the importance of regulation.
The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) www.ashi.org aims to assist with regulation of the industry by requiring all inspectors who wish to become members obtain a minimum inspection experience of 250 inspections. These inspections reports are examined and graded to ensure the Professional Practices and Code of Ethics are maintained. When ASHI is satisfied with the inspector’s competence, the inspector is then required to take and pass a state exam. The exam is designed to test the knowledge and experience of the construction industry together with construction fault diagnosis and remedies. Becoming a member demonstrates to the Real Estate Industry the inspector’s level of professionalism.
POINTS TO REMEMBER
- Always ensure your Realtor has a local knowledge and experience of the area you are purchasing your property.
- Identify from your Realtor if your potential property has sustained damage from any recent hurricanes or tropical storms. This should be detailed in the seller’s disclosure.
- Always check with a Professional Organization for recommended inspectors.
- Never use an unqualified, unlicensed or uninsured inspector.
- Several properties are now subject to having an insurance inspection before renewal of policies because of the recent increase of hurricane damage. The most common insurance inspections are Roof Inspections and 4 Point Inspections.
- If a Home Inspection is not carried out the buyer generally assumes all risk.
United Kingdom
Traditionally a Home Inspection in the UK was generally known as the Building Survey. These Surveys were carried out by degree qualified surveyors with considerable experience and qualifications in the construction industry. As from 22 November 2007 the new Home Information Pack (HIP) now requires sellers to provide all the necessary property information to potential buyers. This includes a Home Condition Report. A new role of the Home Inspector evolved requiring all surveyors currently operating to obtain the new Home Inspection qualification. The role of the Home Inspector is to produce the Home Condition Report and the Energy Performance Certificates for inclusion in the Home Information Packs. Home Inspectors require in-depth knowledge and practical understanding of residential building construction and defects across the range of properties.
What’s in a Home Information Pack? (HIP)
A Hip includes documents that are required when homes are bought and sold. Some documents are mandatory and others optional.
The mandatory documents are:
- An index (i.e. a list of the contents of the HIP)
- A sales statement (summarizing the terms of the sale)
- Evidence of title
- Standard searches (i.e. local authority enquiries and a drainage and water search
- An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- Common hold information (where appropriate)
- A copy of the lease (where appropriate)
Optional documents include:
- A Home Condition Report (HCR)
- Additional leasehold information
- Guarantees and warranties
- Other searches relevant to the particular area
The industry is regulated by the following professional organizations;
To ensure you have a professional home inspection it is advisable to check that your surveyor/home inspector is accredited to either of the above organisations. A common Standard of Practice and Code of Ethics exist to ensure the high level of competence is achieved within the industry protecting the buyers.
John Mcloughlin is a UK University Degree qualified Chartered Surveyor and an ASHI Home Inspector with over 30 years International experience serving central Florida. The inspection techniques and reporting standards provided are in excess of ASHI and UK requirements. My full credentials and qualifications can also be verified online or by contacting The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) www.ashi.org, The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) www.ciob.org.uk and The Association of Building Engineers, (ABE) www.abe.org.uk.
Inspection Areas
I am based in Windermere Florida and cover the whole of central Florida coast to coast for all of the following inspections:
- Home Inspection
- Pool inspection
- New construction inspection
- Pre inspection
- Mold inspection
- Roof inspection
- 4 point inspection
- Home watch inspection
“John has carried out several inspections for my agency, assisting my clients and staff to gain insurance & sales through a professional inspection. I have recommended John to other State Farm agencies that are also now using his service.”
Tony Lopez. State Farm Insurance Orlando
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