4 Pt Inspection Vs Home Inspection

Can you use a 4 Pt Inspection in place of a home inspection?  Many home buyers are under the impression that a 4 Pt Insurance Inspection is just a cheaper version of a Home Inspection.  The fact is they are not the same.  By opting to have a 4 Pt Inspection instead of a Home inspection, you must sign a waiver that you are waving your right to a home inspection.

A four point insurance inspection will be required by an insurance company for the purpose of obtaining a new insurance policy or renewing an existing policy.   A Four-Point Insurance Inspection is far less in scope than a standard home inspection.  It covers the information the insurance companies require on the four components that cause damage to a home when they fail. 

 

The Four Point Insurance Inspection is a limited, visual survey of the heating/air conditioning, roof, electrical and plumbing systems.  The purpose of the four point is to collect information for the insurance company about the systems age and condition and to note any safety concerns of these systems.

Insulation is one of many important systems not covered by a 4 Point Insurance Inspection.

A Home Inspection is a comprehensive snapshot of a house on the day of the inspection. It is a non-invasive, visual, and detailed evaluation of the property's structure, foundation or basement, interior, exterior, roof, electrical, plumbing and heating and cooling systems. The purpose of a home inspection is to detect major visible problems or defects and unsafe conditions.

The home inspection is used to assist a client in making a more informed purchasing decision.  It is often required by the finance or mortgage lender for the purchase of the home.  The inspector may also educate the buyer as to typical life expectancies, items to budget for replacement as well as how to take care of and maintain the property.

A four point inspection takes about an hour to complete and only covers four of the many systems of a house.  The home inspection takes many more hours to complete and is a considerably more detailed examination of the entire home and all of its accessible components.

It is the opinion; of this home inspector, that conducting a four point inspection for the purpose of purchasing a home is much the same as sending a $40,000 dollar second-hand car to the mechanic to inspect the tires prior to purchase.  The mechanic has the knowledge to tell you everything about the car and its systems but if you only ask him to check the tires, that’s all you’re going to get.  Much the same with the home inspection if you opt to only have a four point inspection, that is all the information you will get and you are waving your right to a home inspection.

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties.  Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.

First Choice Home Inspections 
(386) 624-3893
Email:  home.inspections@aol.com
Website:  Http://www.1homeinspector.com