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When you’re searching for Tampa home inspectors, one of your top concerns is likely to be whether or not the home inspector you find is reliable and trustworthy. There are several factors you should consider when choosing home inspectors in Tampa and the Tampa Bay area, including the type of inspection you need.
What to Look for in a Home Inspector
Many home buyers look for a certified professional inspector with hands-on experience with the type of property inspection they need in the geographical area they’re in. They may have gotten a recommendation from real estate agents or even the home sellers for property inspection that fits their needs.
Finding licensed home inspectors isn’t necessarily difficult, but if you’re making an investment on something as large and important as real estate, you likely want to know that the overall objective of the home inspector lines up with your own.
Services You Need
Another factor that influences which home inspectors in Tampa, FL will work best for you is knowing the specific service you require from them. Typical home inspections may include comprehensive reports on things like plumbing fixtures and HVAC systems, but some home inspectors may also offer water testing, wind mitigation reports, or other specialties.
Some home inspection services may have other useful options, such as same-day reports or 24-hour booking. Determine what services are important to you.
A full-service home inspection company can offer:
Residential Inspections
A residential home inspection is to determine whether a property is safe and complies with applicable codes. It’s different from an appraisal, because home inspections are not about the value of the real estate, although it’s possible that an insurance agent might reference a home inspection report to assist with an estimate.
Often, mortgage lenders will require a home inspection prior to agreeing to finance the purchase of the property. The home inspection is often ordered after the price has been agreed upon.
Commercial Inspections
According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, abbreviated as InterNACHI®, “the goal of a commercial inspection is to provide the client with the information they need to enter into transaction negotiations with as much power in their possession as possible.”
In other words, commercial inspections serve a different purpose than residential inspections, and may occur before discussion of price.
New Construction
New construction inspections come in various types depending on when the inspection is occurring. A pre-drywall inspection, a final inspection, or a one-year home warranty inspection may be needed for new construction.
New construction that’s in the process of being built needs a pre-drywall inspection, but if you’re buying a new construction home, you likely want to do a final inspection as part of the walkthrough before the final purchase of the home. Eleven months or so after the new construction is complete, a one-year home warranty inspection may be required.
Manufactured Homes
Some home inspection services specialize in subcategories of home, including manufactured homes, which may have different home inspection needs.
Pre-Listing Inspections
A pre-listing home inspection is an inspection done before the home seller lists the property for sale, so pre listing. A pre-listing inspection can be a great way to discover what buyers might want you to address.
Insurance Inspections
It’s not uncommon for your insurance company to request a home inspection report in order to figure out the cost of rebuilding the home. Insurance Inspections are a little different than a home inspection for buying the home.
Other Services Home Inspectors in Tampa May Offer
Air Quality Testing
Water Quality Testing
Roof Inspection and Roof certification
Four Point Inspection and Wind Mitigation Inspections
Use of Technology (like Thermal Imaging) as Well as Visual Inspection
Electrical Systems Evaluation
Respect in the Community
It may or may not be important to you to find a family-owned home inspection company, but it can be beneficial to look for home inspectors in Tampa that are well-thought-of by the locals. Often, family-owned home inspection companies provide local services and community support that may not be possible with bigger brands.
If you are able to find quality service from a certified master inspector who also supports the causes that are important to you, that could be an ideal situation. A home inspector may be part of an international association, but if they also still work in the Tampa neighborhood they grew up in, they may have a unique view on the area.
Another reason a client may choose someone who cut their teeth on home inspections “right here on Florida Ave” is that they may have more flexibility to work with their clients. A home inspector who’s former navy herself may be more likely to offer a military discount. Home inspectors with young children may like to know that you’re a grade-school teacher.
Finding the right fit in a home inspector isn’t just about the price and the expertise. You probably want a home inspection from someone who’s really looking out for you.
Geographical Expertise
There may not be a huge difference between Saint Petersburg, FL and greater Tampa, but a licensed inspector should be aware of regulations specific to their area. Tampa Bay and the surrounding counties may have different needs than other locations in the USA, the state of Florida, or even a city as close as St. Petersburg, FL.
Some clients have found that locally-owned home inspection services provided important knowledge that is specific to central Florida or to Tampa, FL. Industry standards in the greater Tampa Bay area may be unique, so certified home inspectors that live and work in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area may put you in a better position for an accurate inspection.
Some of the locally-owned inspection services list particular areas they service, including:
- Tampa, FL
- St. Petersburg, FL
- Tarpon Springs
- Land O’ Lakes
- Spring Hill
- Palm Harbor
- Citrus park
- New Port Richey
- Wesley Chapel
Others will describe the area by using a couple of cities. They may say, for example, “from Citrus Park to St. Petersburg” or “from Wesley Chapel to Palm Harbor”. They may simply say “serving central Florida, including Saint Petersburg and greater Tampa.
However they describe their service area, it may be helpful to verify that the home inspection company is experienced with performing inspections in your particular area.
Reliable Real Estate Inspections in Tampa, FL
There are lots of real estate inspection services to choose from in the Tampa Bay area. Here are some high rated options to explore.
Into the Light Home Inspections
Image Source: Into the Light Home Inspections
Raul A. Rivera with Into the Light Home Inspections describes himself as a “bilingual [Spanish] engineering professional”. With over 100 5-star reviews, it’s clear that customers appreciate Rivera’s professionalism and punctuality.
Safeline Home Inspections
Image Source: Safeline Home Inspections
Five-star reviewers in Tampa, FL for Corey Richardson and Safeline Home Inspections praise his attention to detail and consider paying for his home inspection “money well spent”. He offers inspections on existing homes and new construction in Tampa, FL.
McLaurin Inspections
Source: McLaurin Inspections
One reviewer notes that Kenny McLaurin of McLaurin Inspections “has found building/construction items in need of repair that other inspectors and home builders have over-looked.” This thoroughness is valuable to many property investors and buyers in Tampa, FL.
Bells Home Inspections
Image Source: Bells Home Inspections
Bells Home Inspections is a family-owned home inspection business in the Tampa Bay area that has 200 five-star reviews on Google … out of 200 reviews! They obviously have a way with people, and reviewers appreciate things like information “thoroughly explained in reports with reference to standards.”
Inspect-O-Graff
Image Source: Inspect-O-Graff
Steve Graff, the home inspector for the whimsically-named Inspect-O-Graff, has 20 years of experience, and it shows. One reviewer from the Tampa, FL area states, “Our builder knows and respects Steve and they promptly addressed the issues found.”
Frontline Property Inspections
Image Source: Frontline Property Inspections
Over 900 five-star reviews tell you just about everything you need to know about Frontline Property Inspections. Multiple reviewers mention how Todd Johnson, the home inspector for Frontline, walked them through their report, highlighting and explaining important information. One said, “in my eyes he went above and beyond in his requirements.”
Bennett Property Inspection
Image Source: Bennett Property Inspection
Kevin Bennett with Bennett Property Inspections was a general contractor before he became a home inspector. Clients especially appreciate his speed, both in terms of email response time and going from inspection-to-report quickly.
Reliable, Thorough, and Professional
No matter the reason you’re getting a property inspection in Tampa, FL, you’re likely to want the same thing: home inspection professionals who pay attention to detail and are responsive and friendly. Home inspections can be intimidating, so finding a professional you can rely upon can provide you with some ease of mind. Whether you’re looking to get a pre-listing home inspection in order to sell your property in Tampa or you’re getting home inspections for a property you’re buying or investing in, it’s good to know the professionals you’re working with can be trusted.
