FAQ’s
Everything You Wanted to Know Before Booking Your Florida Inspection
Home Inspections
What Exactly Is a Home Inspection?
A home inspection is an objective, visual assessment of a property's structure and systems from top to bottom, giving you a complete picture of its current condition before any decisions are made.
What Areas Does a Standard Home Inspection Cover?
Pro-Spect inspects the heating and cooling systems, plumbing, electrical systems, roof, exterior surfaces, attic, insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, foundation, and all major structural components.
Is a Home Inspection Actually Necessary?
For most people, a home is the largest purchase they will ever make. An inspection protects that investment by uncovering issues that aren't visible to the untrained eye, flagging necessary repairs, and giving you the facts you need to negotiate or proceed with confidence.
What Will a Home Inspection Cost Me?
Our pricing is based on the property's size and age. We are not the cheapest option in Florida, and we have no interest in being one. Our inspections are thorough, our reports are detailed, and our client reviews reflect that consistently. Every inspection is backed by a satisfaction guarantee. Not happy with the result? You owe us nothing. No hidden clauses, no conditions.
How Much Time Should I Set Aside for the Inspection?
Plan for two to three hours on average. Larger properties, older construction, or homes with more complex systems may take longer.
What Parts of the Home Do You Actually Examine?
Every accessible area. Our inspection covers the foundation, roof structure, HVAC systems, plumbing, electrical, crawl space, attic, installed appliances, garage, and interior and exterior spaces throughout. We focus on safety concerns and systems that are failing or underperforming. Cosmetic issues fall outside our scope.
How Do You Get Access to the Property?
We work directly with the listing agent or seller to schedule access and obtain lockbox information. Electronic lockboxes are not an issue, as every Pro-Spect truck is equipped with electronic keys.
Other FAQs
Can You Give Me a Repair Quote After the Inspection?
No. Our professional code of ethics prevents us from quoting repair work on properties we inspect. Providing estimates for jobs we are not performing would be speculative and ultimately unhelpful to you.
Why Can't I Just Inspect the Home Myself?
Professional inspectors bring technical training, years of field experience, and full objectivity to every job. Pro-Spect understands how a home's systems are designed to work together and where they are likely to break down over time. That level of knowledge and impartiality is difficult to replicate and critical to protecting your interests.
How Is a Home Inspection Different From an Appraisal?
An inspection examines the physical condition of the property. An appraisal establishes its market value. These are two entirely separate processes. An inspector does not pass or fail a home. We document what exists, identify what is not working, and note what may need attention going forward.
Do You Inspect Commercial Buildings Too?
Yes. Pro-Spect inspects office buildings, restaurants, churches, apartment complexes, warehouses, and various other commercial properties across Florida.
Are Your Inspectors Certified?
Yes. Every Pro-Spect inspector holds certifications through both ASHI and InterNACHI, two of the most recognized professional inspection associations in the country.
Are You Licensed to Inspect in Florida?
Yes. All of our inspectors are fully licensed to conduct home inspections in Florida and operate in full compliance with state Standards of Practice.
What Is the Difference Between a License and a Certification?
A license is a legal requirement issued by the state. Operating without one is against the law. Certification is earned through additional education and training set by professional associations. It is not required by law, but at Pro-Spect, meeting only the minimum has never been our standard.
Can I Read the Inspection Agreement Before the Appointment?
Yes. We send the agreement by email when the inspection is booked and ask that you review and complete it online ahead of time.
Our HVAC System Is Old. Should We Bring in a Specialist?
Not necessarily. Evaluating your HVAC system is part of what we do. If we find something that genuinely warrants a specialist's review, we will tell you directly and explain our reasoning. We do not produce lengthy lists of vague follow-up recommendations. Every referral we make is one we stand behind.
What Happens If It Rains on Inspection Day?
Florida weather has a personality of its own, but we work through it whenever conditions are safe. If the weather creates any limitations during the inspection, we document them clearly in your report so nothing is left unclear.
Will You Get on the Roof?
Yes, whenever it is safe to do so. Given Florida's exposure to wind, rain, and storm damage, a thorough roof evaluation is one of the most important parts of any inspection we perform.
Should I Be There During the Inspection?
We strongly recommend it. Walking through the property with your inspector gives you the chance to ask questions on the spot and gain a firsthand understanding of what the report will cover. This is the most time you will spend inside the home before closing. Make the most of it.
How Soon Will I Get My Inspection Report?
Your report will be sent to you by email on the same day the inspection is completed.
Inside the Home
Do You Offer Mold Testing?
Yes. Florida's climate creates ideal conditions for mold growth, making testing particularly important here. Our mold testing identifies the types of mold present and measures spore counts at the time of the test. Results are typically available within two to three days.
What Happens If Mold Is Discovered?
Removal is the first step. But addressing the moisture source driving the growth is what matters most. Mold is always a symptom of a moisture problem. Identifying and resolving moisture intrusion is a core focus of every Pro-Spect inspection.
Can You Explain What Radon Is?
Radon is a radioactive gas that is completely colorless and odorless, making it undetectable without testing. It is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers in the United States. The EPA sets an action level of 4.0 pCi/L.
More information is available through the EPA's Home Buyers and Sellers' Guide to Radon at https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-05/documents/hmbuygud.pdf
Should Florida Homeowners Bother Testing for Radon?
Absolutely. The EPA, Surgeon General, American Lung Association, and American Medical Association all recommend testing every home below the third floor regardless of location. Florida is not a low-risk state when it comes to radon. Regional averages mean nothing for your specific property. Testing is the only way to know for certain.
Do All Homes Have Radon?
Every home contains some level of radon. It is produced by the natural breakdown of uranium in the soil and travels upward into homes through foundation cracks and gaps. No home type is immune. New construction, older homes, tightly sealed properties, and drafty ones alike can all have elevated levels. Approximately one in every 15 homes across the country exceeds the EPA action threshold.