Are you buying or selling a home? If so, hiring a professional home inspector is a good idea. While most people are familiar with a general home inspection, not everyone knows what a 4-point home inspection is.
A 4-point home inspection analyzes the general state of your home’s major components. 4-point inspections are commonly requested to secure insurance coverage.
Who Would Request a 4-Point Home Inspection?
Insurance companies require these inspections for some homes to verify insurability. In some cases, insurance companies are reluctant to issue coverage to homes older than 30 years due to their high liability.
An older home is more likely to have plumbing or electrical problems that could arise after a few years. Insured homeowners will then request reimbursement for these issues. Therefore, a 4-point inspection helps insurance providers to understand the risk before insuring the property.
What Does the Inspection Cover?
As its name suggests, a 4-point home inspection only covers four areas:
- Roof – Many insurance companies won’t provide coverage to houses with damaged roofs. The inspector will also estimate the roof’s age to see if it’s nearing the end of its life expectancy.
- HVAC – Some insurers will turn down a home that doesn’t have a functioning heating and cooling system. HVAC systems must be working and in good condition to pass a 4-point home inspection.
- Electrical System –Houses with knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring are often uninsurable because they increase fire hazard risks. 4-point inspections check the wiring and breaker panels to verify the home is up to code.
- Plumbing – The pipes’ estimated age, materials, and condition will be inspected and recorded to verify they meet current standards.
These areas are the most valuable components of any residential home; all are necessary and costly to replace or repair. The insurers might not issue coverage if the inspection reveals any major concerns in these areas.
How to Prepare for a 4-Point Home Inspection?
When you hire a home inspector to perform a 4-point inspection, they will check the four systems above. You can prepare your home early by inspecting these areas for any sign of damage or issues and fixing them. Check whether your HVAC system is functioning correctly and fix any known roofing and plumbing leaks.
An inspection may be required if you want a more affordable insurance policy or are looking to refinance your mortgage.
Stevens Home Inspections offers 4-point inspections and other home inspection services in the Northern Texas area, including Dallas, Frisco, Plano, Allen, and Prosper. Contact us to request an appointment.