If you’re a homeowner or considering purchasing your own home, you’ll likely need a 4-point inspection of the property at one point. Home inspections can play a significant role in protecting your investment, but this specific one is often done based on a requirement from lenders or insurance companies.
Read on for a breakdown of this type of checkup to help you understand whether you need a 4-point inspection in San Diego, CA.
What is a four-point inspection?
A 4-point inspection is a visual assessment of certain components of a property. While there are a few reasons for booking a 4-point inspection, people usually do so because an insurance company requires it. The name comes from the four areas that are typically evaluated during these inspections: HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and the roof.
Each system should be inspected for age and general condition. But an important fact about the 4-point inspections is that they don’t include invasive diagnostics or disassembling. The inspector will look at clearly visible parts like wiring and vents only and look out for common issues that are typically discovered during 4-point inspections.
The purpose of this type of inspection is to ensure all major systems in the property are up to code and functioning properly before issuing an insurance policy on the property. Most companies also require that the inspected systems be less than 15 years old in order to qualify for coverage under their policies.
How do I know if I need this inspection?
Some lenders require 4-point inspections if they are providing financing for a property. They want to make sure their loan collateral has adequate protection against potential losses due to damage from hazardous conditions caused by aging or faulty major systems.
Similarly, some insurance companies may require one if they are providing homeowners insurance policies since they want to know the condition of all major systems in the home prior to offering coverage. Even if you don’t need one right now, it’s always best to get one done periodically so that you can keep track of any potential issues with your property before they become bigger problems down the line.
What happens if you fail a 4-point inspection?
Inspection companies that do this kind of checkup know that the name and type refer to the systems being examined, and not the specific requirements they have to meet. This is because the criteria which determine whether you pass the inspection are set by an insurance company or anyone else that asks you to book it.
In some cases, the same property may fail to pass a 4-point by the requirements of one company and pass it with the other. Oftentimes, it happens that you fail but are given a possibility to pass if you manage to fix an issue discovered within a certain time frame, for example, 30 days.
Where can I hire the leading 4-point inspection service in San Diego, CA?
Are you looking to buy a new home in sunny San Diego so you can enjoy Encinitas’ beaches every weekend? Or are you just a responsible homeowner looking to double-check any faults that might be hidden in your house’s major systems before they become too big of a problem?
Then you likely know you’ll need a 4-point inspection very soon! The Inspectors Company specializes in this kind of checkup. The highly trained experts working with us can promise to do it in a professional and efficient manner. Feel free to reach out to us and learn more about our services!
