PREPARING FOR A 4-POINT INSPECTION

Plumbing: Insurance companies require visible photos of shutoffs under sinks, beside toilets, washer hose connections, and the water heater. It’s recommended to clear obstructions for the inspector to capture these photos. Remember, personal items might be photographed, so it’s advisable to prevent potential embarrassment. Consider removing stains that might appear as leaks when none exist. Sometimes, despite plumbing being in good working order, an underwriter might misinterpret a stain as a leak in the report.

Electrical: No action is necessary except to ensure access. Inspectors cannot move furniture due to liability concerns. Ensure access to all breaker/fuse panels and provide any information on system updates. Inform the inspector if Alumi-Conn connectors have been utilized.

Roof: Simply allow access. Some insurers require photos from the roof’s top, if safe. If unable to locate a permit, knowing the roof’s age is crucial. Permits older than 10 years might be unverifiable.

HVAC System: Access should suffice. Inspectors can determine the system’s age from the data plate. If the plate is faded, provide alternative information. Remove any items you prefer not to be captured in photos.

The onsite visit is brief if the inspector can access the required items.

We work for the client and not the insurance carrier. So, ask us anything you may have a concern over.

Prepare the property by removing debris, vegetation, and items the client doesn’t want visible before the inspection. Trim any limbs in contact with the home or roof.

Inspectors can’t misrepresent non-working conditions as functional. Address any noted issues before reports are sent.

Accurate updates and when they were conducted are crucial, especially for older homes. Insurance companies favor updates to aging systems. Since updates weren’t conducted by us, estimating the age accurately might be challenging.

Roof covering has emerged as a significant issue due to replacement costs. However, inspectors don’t engage in roof replacements. Delaying inspections until last minute can pose issues. Recently, a Christmas week inspection highlighted roof issues needing quick correction, which the inspector couldn’t overlook. The client luckily had the corrections made before the report was sent to the agent but would have been less stressful had the inspection been conducted a month earlier.

Feel we left something out? Let us know. Have a concern? Let us know.