If you have been asked to have your home inspected for a new home insurance policy, don’t be alarmed. The main reason for these inspections is to make sure your home is insured properly and that the homeowners insurance policy’s dwelling coverage reflects the actual cost to rebuild the home in the event of a total loss. When you receive an insurance quote, replacement value calculation software is typically used by your insurance representative to determine the home’s replacement value. The software is very good but every property is unique in some way, so the best way to validate the cost to rebuild for the homeowner is to conduct an insurance inspection.
What is a four point inspection?
This inspection covers the four most important features of a home that get worn out over the years. If you find that these areas are damaged, you will have to update or replace those parts. If these parts fail because of your neglect and the insurance company has insured you, without due diligence, it can lead to heavy losses for the insurance company.
A four point inspection is conducted by a qualified building code/home inspector, civil engineer, registered architect or building contractor. Here are the components.
Electrical wiring and panels
The inspector will check your home for frayed, exposed or loose wiring, proper grounding and ensure that electrical breakers are of the right size. If the electrical panels or wiring is old or exposed, you will have to take suitable action.
Heating and air conditioning
The inspector will check the size of your air/heating unit, when it was installed, how old it is and sees if your air conditioning service is properly working condition.
Plumbing fixtures and connections
The inspector will check the age/condition of your home’s plumbing system. This will cover the main supply line, water heater, vents and waste lines. He/she will look for leaks in the pipes, check if the valves are working properly and what type of pipes you’ve used.
Roof
The inspector will check the age/condition of the roof, the type of roof and the roof’s geometry. The shape of the roof is important when determining homeowners’ insurance quotes, especially if the home is close to the coast. The best type of roof for homes close to the coast is a pyramid roof, sloping on all sides. This reduces the roof’s vulnerability to high winds. The inspector will also note the roof covering, roof anchoring and sheathing.
The cost of a four point home inspection will depend on your home’s size, location and age. Small homes can be inspected in an hour or less, while a bigger house may take longer to inspect. The inspection report is a short two or maximum three pages. The inspector will also state if you need to make any repairs on your home or not. If you’re looking for better value for your homeowners insurance coverage, contact the experts at Anderson & Associates today to receive a free quote and consultation. We look forward to serving you!
