FAQ's

A home inspection is a non-invasive visual examination of the accessible areas of the property, designed to identify general areas of concern within the systems or components defined by the Florida State and FABI (Florida Association of Building Inspectors) Standards of Practice, that are both observed and deemed material by the inspector at the exact date and time of inspection. This inspection is intended to assist in evaluation of the overall condition of the dwelling. Click here to review the FABI Standards of Practice we follow.

The cost will depend on the age and size of the home, including any additional services you choose to have the inspector perform. Home inspections start at $315 which include a free whole-house infrared thermal scan by a certified thermographer. The cost of an independent thermographer can be $300+ alone.

WDO (Wood-Destroying Organisms) inspections and mold testing are available services. WDO reports requested by Farrell Home Inspections, PLLC are performed by RC Pest Control.
For the mold test, we can collect air samples that are sent to a lab for the presence of elevated mold. The cost will depend on the size of the home. Lab results will be emailed within 2-3 business days.

We are licensed to perform termite/WDO (Wood-Destroying Organisms) inspections. In addition, we can collect air samples that are sent to a lab for the presence of elevated mold if you choose. The cost will depend on the size of the home. Lab results will be emailed within 2-3 business days.

Florida insurance carriers may require a 4-point inspection to provide coverage. The 4-points are the condition and age of the roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. Most carriers will want this report on homes 30 years or older but others may require it on home over 10 years old. Please check with your insurance agent prior to the inspection if this report is required. All home inspections will include this report upon request at no extra cost.

A wind mitigation inspection lets the insurance carrier know how well the home can withstand hurricane-strength winds and can reduce your insurance premiums. Homes built after 2003 will typically receive the discount but additional features such as hurricane straps on the trusses, window/door hurricane shutters, and a secondary water resistant (SWR) barrier under the shingles can provide additional discounts. Please check with your insurance agent prior to the inspection if a wind-mitigation inspection could benefit you. All home inspections will include this report upon request at no extra cost.

A thermal camera scan of the home can find defects not visible by the naked eye such as electrical panel hot spots, water intrusion, plumbing leaks, missing insulation, HVAC duct leaks and obstructions. Any water intrusion or plumbing leak concerns will be followed up using a professional moisture meter for accuracy. All home inspections will include a free whole-house thermal scan performed by a certified thermographer. Keep in mind, not all home inspectors are properly trained thermographers which require extensive training and certification to use this technology effectively.

Upon booking an inspection, you will receive a confirmation email and text. You can electronically sign the agreement and pay online using a credit card. You can also choose to pay the day of the inspection by credit card, check, or cash.

We use the cutting-edge reporting software that allows us to deliver the report the same day.

Attending the home inspection provides you the opportunity to review the findings your inspector as well as ask any questions. However, if you can’t attend, our same-day comprehensive reports will give you the feeling you were there. Our reports will contain detailed descriptions and photos of our findings. We also include maintenance tips such as what type and when to change AC filters, locations of utility shut-offs, and keeping your major home systems running at peak performance.

A good rule of thumb is roughly 1 hour per 1,000 SqFt. of conditioned space. However, every home is different based on age and condition so we will stay as long as it takes to complete a thorough inspection.

A home inspection is not a pass/fail evaluation. Instead, it is an overall assessment of the condition of the home and systems given to the client so they can make an informed purchase.

The report will be sent to the client and their real estate agent. You can choose to share the report with the Seller if you wish. As the paying client, you can choose to be the only party to receive the report by letting us know up front.

A new home is not free of defects. Since no one has lived in the home, the inspector is typically the first person to test the major systems. A good project manager will catch many issues before you close on the home but they usually do not walk the roof, enter the attic, inspect inside the electrical panel or perform an infrared thermal scan just to name a few. A home inspection prior to closing gives you piece of mind and minimize the chances of issues arising after you have moved in.

The condition of the home can change in a year, especially in Florida’s harsh climate. This is also the last opportunity to have repairs made without incurring any additional cost. Many of the defects we find at a seller’s home that’s only a couple of years old could have been handled under the warranty agreement.

There are many critical and stressful steps in selling a home. By having a pre-listing inspection, the seller is made aware up-front of any concerns a potential buyer may have. The seller can then choose what repairs they wish to make or not make. The seller also has the option to disclose the full report to the potential buyers so they can make an informed offer. A pre-listing inspection can reduce the number of offers that fall through saving the seller time and money.

Many home inspectors will offer pool inspections which does add convenience and upfront savings. But we strongly feel this comes at a cost. An independent pool inspectors will have much more training and experience than a home inspector that is considered a “generalist”. They can also provide repair costs in their report so you can negotiate or budget accordingly. Pools and the associated equipment can be very complex, and repairs can be very costly so the extra fee for a highly trained pool inspector adds tremendous value.  If you elect not to hire an independent pool inspector, we can provide a basic overview upon request.