[jebartle]

Get a wind mitigation while you're at it!

[ton80]

Originally Posted by jebartle

Get a wind mitigation while you're at it!

OP stated that they are getting a one year inspection. A wind mitigation inspection would be required for homes built prior to 2002, since that is when building codes changed. A 1 year old home automatically qualifies for the wind mitigation discount.

[Henryfrakl]

Would not reccomend per my experience.
Looked at roof in one spot on ladder and never stepped foot on roof. Looked at attic insulation from ladder never went into attic to check if it was properly installed throughout. Would not put down toilet had leak in tank, said they would not take my word, who is they (the builder). Then to top it off he sent the report I paid for to the builder before he and I could go over. Not sure if he was working for me or them. Jyst my experience, 4th new home and never had these issues.

Originally Posted by Reeds

We had Jeff handle our inspection and feel he did a great job. He was very thorough and professional.
Jeff Asbach Home Inspections LLC (352-748-2008)

[silver.bullet]

Originally Posted by Lisajean

Any recommendations or personal experience with a home inspector? We want to get an inspection before our one year warranty is up. Thanks

Do not use Tom Stevens self employed at Surf to Turf Home Inspections.

[affald]

How do people get inspections and buy houses, if the inspection needs to be done within a week or two of offer? Reading here need months notice for appointment. Thanks

[kp11364]

Originally Posted by affald

How do people get inspections and buy houses, if the inspection needs to be done within a week or two of offer? Reading here need months notice for appointment. Thanks

I was wondering the same thing ... are there different schedules for warranty inspections vs. sales inspections?

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by affald

How do people get inspections and buy houses, if the inspection needs to be done within a week or two of offer? Reading here need months notice for appointment. Thanks

Originally Posted by kp11364

I was wondering the same thing ... are there different schedules for warranty inspections vs. sales inspections?

The thread is about one year inspection for New Home warranty. Prior to your one year anniversary, you hire a qualified company that will inspect everything from Roof, attic, hvac, and electrical.

We have used Frank D’Angelo on 4 of our houses. He is in high demand due to his reputation and yes you must book months in advance. There are many who do home inspections, but only a few who come highly recommended.

We did use a guy who was recommended on this thread, and basically missed over 30 items that came out of our pockets after close instead of sellers on a preowned. So we stick with Frank.

Frank has appointment days for preowned and usually doesn’t have issues getting an appointment. If there is a problem he could recommend someone

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Lisajean

Any recommendations or personal experience with a home inspector? We want to get an inspection before our one year warranty is up. Thanks

Sadly, we've had VERY poor experiences here, but that's only from two incidents so others may have more positive stories. Worst was not our own home, though the "inspector" found nothing near the end of our year, yet there were MAJOR issues, faulty shingles, poorly constructed roof over the enclosed part of lanai... won't bore you, but getting remediation was a real battle, be prepared, we had to cover the cost ourselves or just live with it. Far worse was family members decided to buy an existing home. To be "fair" their agent gave them a list of 3 "approved" inspectors to choose from. They chose one and, because they were out of state, call me to arrange for me to meet the inspector they had employed. When the inspector arrived and exited is car, I hesitated because it seemed unusual not to arrive in a van or truck with ladders and other equipment to test and measures various, but I got out, walked across the street to the driveway, and extended my hand. "you're ____ I presume", he said, and I explained I was the brother who lived here. He said, glad to meet you, but you need to excuse me, I need to get started now. So I started along with him. He stopped, explained that he works ALONE, and I explained I'd promised I would be present, so I'll stay clear of his work space. It got a little more intense, he told me I would HAVE to leave unless I was the owner, so I got my brother on the cell phone as I was walking to my car. I explained the situation and he agreed I should just leave quietly with no escalation.

They paid $475 for the "inspection". I sat in the car across the street and made notes for my brother. He walked around the entire house with a clip board, then entered through the front door. The garage door never went up or down. He never took a ladder and got on the roof, the sprinkler system never came on and off. He was inside the home 17 minutes exactly. With the quick walk around the house, the total came to 21 minutes. He opened the door to his car, left the door open a few minutes and sat in the driver's seat making notes/checking boxes, on the clip board. Everything passed inspection with "flying colors" as they say.

Our family members had a room flooded and a wall ruined from a faulty roof 4 months after they moved in. Report noted it was in excellent condition and had an expectancy of another 9-12 years, again, just an "expert" guess. Next, they discovered the kitchen's non-functional under cabinet lighting wasn't a matter of bad bulb or fuse, it was shorting out the entire kitchen, and a major wiring job by certified electricians had to be done. That and a new roof, and a major overhaul to get the watering system back to functional, and THEN the AC, which the inspector clearly noted on the report "had a remaining expected life of 8-9 years, went out. Many other small things. They quickly found out that their signature on the inspection agreement meant the inspector can not be held responsible for anything on the report. At the same time, NOT signing this paper (in Florida at least) means you can not find an inspector who will do an inspection without a contract.

The only really detailed and very thorough inspector we ever hired was a home purchase in another state. Instead of choosing an inspector from a list at the agency we used, or from the bank, we chose to hire a man who was head of the department of building trades at the local community college. He was truly an expert on every detail of construction, checked everything, right down to depth of insulation, tested the windows to confirm they were actually triple pane and of the materials they were represented to be made from, amazing examination of not only the roof, but the METHOD used to finish off the the peaks and valleys, AND determined the number of nails to a strip used. Unfortunately, Florida may be one of those states where the only those with state licenses may be hired, even though you are willing to pay the bill... I really don't know. Our experiences was batting -0- ! Hope others on here can give you names and number of truly skilled professionals whose ONLY concern is to look out for your best interests !

[Tkbonesdir]

Originally Posted by silver.bullet

Do not use Tom Stevens self employed at Surf to Turf Home Inspections.

I hardly ever write about anything on here, but when I saw this, I had to share our experience with Tom.

I was shocked to read this because he was so detailed with his report and so kind and explained everything to us in detail.

We really had a great experience with Tom and his company, Surf to Turf home inspections.

I just now googled his company, and he has a perfect 5 Stars with 131 Reviews.

I would suggest calling him and explaining why you weren't happy with him, and I guarantee he will make things right with you.

We would hate to see him get a bad rap on here because our experience was great with Tom. Please let him know your issues.

Best Regards

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Tkbonesdir

I hardly ever write about anything on here, but when I saw this, I had to share our experience with Tom.

I was shocked to read this because he was so detailed with his report and so kind and explained everything to us in detail.

We really had a great experience with Tom and his company, Surf to Turf home inspections.

I just now googled his company, and he has a perfect 5 Stars with 131 Reviews.

I would suggest calling him and explaining why you weren't happy with him, and I guarantee he will make things right with you.

We would hate to see him get a bad rap on here because our experience was great with Tom. Please let him know your issues.

Best Regards

I don't know anything about Surf to Turf Home Inspections, but the company website shows 131 Google reviews, and every one of them is 5 stars. Do you really believe that 131 customers gave the company a 5-star review, and no one gave them 4 stars or less? I have seen other company websites that post thousands of 5-star reviews. But if you read the reviews, almost none of them include the reviewer's location, but they all say that the company "walks on water". I am very skeptical of Google reviews, and of companies that use this technique to promote their company.

[Tkbonesdir]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I don't know anything about Surf to Turf Home Inspections, but the company website shows 131 Google reviews, and every one of them is 5 stars. Do you really believe that 131 customers gave the company a 5-star review, and no one gave them 4 stars or less? I have seen other company websites that post thousands of 5-star reviews. But if you read the reviews, almost none of them include the reviewer's location, but they all say that the company "walks on water". I am very skeptical of Google reviews, and of companies that use this technique to promote their company.

All I can do is tell people on here our personal experience with Tom and his company.

We have nothing but great things to say about the home inspection.

Best Regards

[Nucky]

Frank D'Angelo is the cream of the crop. There is nobody who cares more about satisfying your home inspection needs. A few of my neighbors were so proud that they saved a few coins by using other companies and now are crying over the things the other companies missed and the phone calls that aren't being returned. If I ever move again which I hope never happens I wouldn't think of using anyone except Frank and his sons. Just the GREATEST!!!

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by Nucky

Frank D'Angelo is the cream of the crop. There is nobody who cares more about satisfying your home inspection needs. A few of my neighbors were so proud that they saved a few coins by using other companies and now are crying over the things the other companies missed and the phone calls that aren't being returned. If I ever move again which I hope never happens I wouldn't think of using anyone except Frank and his sons. Just the GREATEST!!!

Yep fourth inspection with D’Angelo. His son Eric did our inspection this week. On time great sense of humor. Hour and 20 minutes on the outside, roof and attic. Then came inside. Actually said we had very little issues compared to other homes in the neighborhood. Answered all of questions, gave recommendations, all in all was as great experience as when his dad came. Frank you did well. 31 page report (think about how many more pages if we had more than more than a few issues) companies started calling by 3pm.

We could have saved some money by going with someone else, but unless it’s a recommendation from D’Angelo because they just can’t fit you in. Rethink, your house is a big investment, saving a few dollars will cost you in the end.