A 4-point inspection is an examination of the current condition of a house. It examines four effective systems: roof, plumbing, and electrical systems. Electrical, plumbing, and roof inspections are typically done as a home purchase or sale.
An inspection need not be done in the buyer’s market but is recommended by professionals to better understand your home’s condition before deciding whether you should buy or sell it. An inspection can give you peace of mind that your house will provide what it promises; comfort, security,, and value for years to come.
Who Needs A 4-point Inspection??
A 4-point inspection is an excellent safety tool for buyers and sellers as it helps them decide whether to buy or sell their homes.
Do you own or purchase an older home, rental property, or condo in Wilmington? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need a 4-point inspection.
When it comes to buying or selling a home in the city, most people require a 4-point inspection to qualify for a sale- roof, exterior walls and plumbing, electrical, and HVAC cover the major systems of the house, and having these inspected thoroughly means the majority of the systems have been covered. While these are four critical areas that are inspected during the homebuyer’s inspection (or seller’s inspection), other areas of concern also need to be addressed. Additional home inspections are required for them.
Insurance Companies And 4-Point Inspection
There are a lot of insurance companies that will require a 4-point inspection when a home is older than 40 years. It is important to note that there are general guidelines on the types of houses insurance companies will require inspections.
Some guidelines are in place for the types of home insurance companies that will require you to have a Home Inspection in Wilmington, DE. We do not have any specific guidelines for all the time frames, but it is safe to say that most insurance companies want you to have one done before a transaction. Some insurance companies will not require an inspection on recently built homes, and they may not need it if your home was built within the last 40 years. On the other hand, they might still want to do one anyway, depending on the problem(s) associated with or disclosed by a homeowner.
4-Point Systems Inspection In Detail
A 4-point inspection is an inspection that an insurance company would insist upon if they consider insuring the home. A 4-point inspection looks for any structural problems, such as rotting wood, improper wiring, etc. They also look for ways to prevent issues by upgrading things like windows, siding, and roofs.
Insurance companies want to know that a home is properly maintained so they can ensure it without worrying about what unforeseen problems might pop up in the future. The four inspection items are: This inspection should be done by a licensed professional, not an amateur.
Here Is What A 4-Point Inspection looks at:
The Roof:
Roof inspection: A roof inspector visually studies the roof to determine its condition. The inspector takes note of any missing components on the top.
1) The type of roof covering (shingles, tile, rolled).
2) The age and condition of the roof.
3) Are there missing shingles or leaks?
4) Roof slope
Electrical System:
A 4-point inspection is an excellent way to ensure that your residential electrical system is running correctly and in compliance with all safety standards.
A 4-point inspection includes looking at the existing wiring, condition of the home’s electrical system, a brand of the electrical panel, and finally checking for any other necessary repairs. The inspector will assess whether or not the wiring needs asking about and if any faulty components need replacing.
HVAC System:
A 4-point inspection is a way to evaluate the condition of your heating and cooling system. It looks at the system’s age and illness as well as leaks.
- Heating and Cooling: This will be discussed in the section below.
- Age and condition of the system: Is the system old enough? Does it have signs of leaks? Are there any brands that will be able to work with it?
- Is there central heat and air in the home?: If there isn’t, you should ask about it or consider other alternatives like portable heating units or chimneys for wood-burning stoves.
4. Signs of leaks: Leaks are a big problem because they can lead to hot spots within your home.
Plumbing Systems:
This type of inspection aims to determine the health and age of all water piping that may be in your house because they are prone to corrosion, leaks,, and other problems over time. The inspection will allow you to identify potential issues with your existing plumbing and prevent future problems. Using different materials and pipes makes it easy to understand the importance of a good inspection.
With the increased use of technology and innovation, the role of a plumber has changed significantly. This is why many home inspections need to be conducted before repairs can be made. During these inspections, information such as what type of pipes are being used is gathered by inspectors.
Check the drain lines that connect to the sewer or septic tank
– see if they are corroded or if they have any leaks.
– check for cracks in the pipes and joints.
– look for mold, mildew, and food waste build-up inside the pipes.
How Much Does A 4-Point Inspection Cost?
There is a lot of mystery about the cost of a 4-point inspection, with some home inspectors in Wilmington, DE, saying it can cost $50 and others saying it can cost $150. It all depends on the state and the inspection company.
The average cost for a 4-point home inspection is around $100, but states and companies will have varying prices. Generally, expect to pay between $50 and $150 for a 4-point home inspection in the US.
Can A Home Fail A 4-Point Inspection?
Insurance companies have a rigorous inspection process to find homes that are eligible for coverage.
If your home has systems that are not up to the insurance company’s standards or does not meet their underwriting guidelines, you may be declined. This can be a significant hit on your budget and the feeling of having to change homeowners insurance carriers. If your home fails an inspection and the inspector recommends that you have some systems or items replaced to make it safe, then your new listing price may be lowered by as much as 10%. Knowing what an inspection entails is vital before signing up for coverage or investing in a property.