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BELLS 
Home Inspections
Home
About
SERVICES
Contact us
Schedule online
Resources
  • SOP Florida
  • FAQ
  • Recommended Vendors
  • Reviews
  • Sample report
Service Map
  • Service Map
Air Quality and Mold Insp
3 Phase Inspections
Wind Mitigation & 4 Point
More
  • Home
  • About
  • SERVICES
  • Contact us
  • Schedule online
  • Resources
    • SOP Florida
    • FAQ
    • Recommended Vendors
    • Reviews
    • Sample report
  • Service Map
    • Service Map
  • Air Quality and Mold Insp
  • 3 Phase Inspections
  • Wind Mitigation & 4 Point
  • Home
  • About
  • SERVICES
  • Contact us
  • Schedule online
  • Resources
    • SOP Florida
    • FAQ
    • Recommended Vendors
    • Reviews
    • Sample report
  • Service Map
    • Service Map
  • Air Quality and Mold Insp
  • 3 Phase Inspections
  • Wind Mitigation & 4 Point

Frequently Asked Questions Inspection Services

Please reach us at bellshomeinspections@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Buying a home is likely the largest single investment you will ever make. To minimize unpleasant surprises and unexpected difficulties, you will want to learn as much as you can about the newly constructed or existing home before you buy it. A BELLS Home Inspection may identify the need for repairs or builder oversights, as well as the need for maintenance to keep it in good shape. The inspection will allow you to make decisions with confidence. A seller may wish to have an inspection done prior to listing, to avoid any delays in closing the sale.


Yes. A remodel may be covering up an issue . A home inspection covers the home components beyond fresh paint and new countertops. Condition of the electrical, plumbing, attic roof, and foundation, are components that still need to be inspected.


Your newly built home is likely to have all of the latest energy-saving features and comforts that you could ever want. Despite that, it’s always a good idea to get a home inspection, even on a newly constructed home, as there may be undisclosed issues or shoddy workmanship. You will not know about these problems unless the home is inspected. Even a single careless contractor or a tiny mistake made when building the home can cause serious damage. It is possible the home may only be up to minimum standards. 


Even though you are buying a house As-Is, you should still know what that means. Are you getting a good deal? Or are you buying an inexpensive house with a lot of expensive problems? A home inspection will help you determine how much work lies ahead. 


A home inspection is a visual and non-invasive examination of the structure and components of a house. Our reports will cover the condition of the home’s heating system; central air conditioning system (temperature permitting); interior plumbing and electrical systems; visible insulation; visible issues pertaining to walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and doors; the foundation, basement, and structural components 


Your report will be emailed within 24 hours. 


It is essential that you take action on the recommendations. If your report has a recommendation for further evaluation by a licensed professional, do it BEFORE the end of your contingency period. IF YOU DO NOT ACT BEFORE THE END OF YOUR CONTINGENCY PERIOD AND BUY THE HOUSE, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST TO REPAIR THESE ITEMS WHICH MAY BE SUBSTANTIAL


Depending on the home’s age, size, and location your home inspection may take up to three hours. Adding square footage, outbuildings, and/or ancillary services (such as mold or radon testing) will increase the time required. It may be necessary for us to bring in a helper for a very large property.


A 4-point home inspection is an analysis of the well-being of your home. It's known as a 4-point inspection because it examines four major systems: roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Many insurance companies require it before you can get or maintain home insurance coverage.

You will receive a written inspection report describing the following:

  • HVAC system
  • Roof system
  • Plumbing system
  • Electrical System


A wind mitigation inspection (also called a windstorm mitigation inspection) is when a certified inspector checks your home's wind-resistant features. Though a wind mitigation inspection is not always required to get Florida homeowners insurance, it can result in substantial savings

You will receive an official citizen insurance report outlining the following:

  • Building Code Compliance
  • Roof Covering
  • Roof-Deck Attachment
  • Roof-to-wall Attachment
  • Roof Geometry
  • Secondary Water Resistance
  • Opening Protection


A roof certification inspection is an inspection of a home's roofing system for insurance purposes. This certification is completed using the roofing only portion of the citizen 4-point verification form. This inspection is often needed after a new roof is installed on your home.

You will receive an official citizen insurance report outlining the following:

  • Roof Installation Permit Information
  • Condition of Primary and Secondary Roof Covering Materials
  • Estimated Remaining Life Expectancy


Home inspections aren’t just for home buyers. If you are preparing to sell your home, it may be wise to order a pre-sale home inspection. The last minute discovery of problems by a prospective buyer’s inspector can lead to delays, added expenses and can even derail a deal altogether. Your best solution as a home seller is to have a thorough inspection done prior to putting the house on the market. This allows you to resolve any issues or adjust the price of your home accordingly before they become a problem in negotiating a deal.

Here is what our Home Seller Inspection is designed to do for you:

  • Give YOU more control over the selling process
  • Facilitate a faster sale for more money
  • Eliminate last minute contract cancellations or 11th hour re-negotiations
  • Protect you from over-inflated buyer procured estimates
  • Reduce your liability with full disclosure
  • Identify repair issues allowing resolution of those items before placing your home for sale
  • Make your home more marketable and attractive to buyers
  • Eliminate issues that a “buyers” independent inspection would have ultimately revealed


Major Inspection Components:

Additional Information

THERMAL IMAGING


Thermal Imaging, also called infrared imaging or thermography, is an advanced, non-invasive technology that allows the inspector to show homeowners things about their homes that can’t be revealed using conventional inspection methods.  

An infrared inspection can help identify issues such as:

  • Moisture Intrusion
  • Heating/Cooling Loss
  • Electrical Hot Spots
  • Insulation Issues

Our home inspectors use this as a tool when inspecting your home to help detect issues that may not be visible to the human eye. This tool allows the inspectors to determine temperature differences, but it will not allow them to see physically behind/within a wall.


​ROOF INSPECTION​


When our inspectors deem the area safe, they will walk on and all over the roof for a thorough roof inspection.
The inspection will include:

  • An evaluation of the roof-covering materials
  • The gutters and downspouts
  • The plumbing stacks/exposed vents
  • The flashing
  • Any skylights
  • The chimney, and other roof penetrations.

 The inspector will note the overall condition of the roof and any recommended repairs or replacements within the full home inspection report.   


ELECTRICAL INSPECTION


The electrical inspection is an examination of the home's electrical components. These components include:

  • The main service disconnect
  • Panel boards 
  • Over-current protection devices (circuit breakers and fuses)
  • Service grounding
  • Light switches
  • Lighting fixtures and receptacles
  • All ground-fault circuit interrupter receptacles
  • The circuit breakers are observed and deemed to be GFCI's using  tester.


 HVAC INSPECTION


Our home inspections include an HVAC inspection, which our inspectors will examine the heating and cooling system using normal operating controls.
​
Our inspectors examine:

  • The interior and exterior HVAC units
  • The coils, and filter
  • Thermostat
  • Exposed ductwork and refrigerant lines

​
​The inspection report will include anything in need of correction, any components of the system that did not operate correctly, and if the HVAC system was deemed inaccessible. 



PLUMBING INSPECTION

Our plumbing inspection covers and includes the main water supply shut-off valve, the main fuel supply shut-off valve, the water heating equipment, interior water supply, including all fixtures and faucets, all toilets for proper operation by flushing, all sinks, tubs and showers for functional drainage.
Inspectors evaluate deficiencies in the water supply by viewing the functional flow in two fixtures operated simultaneously.
​
​Deficiencies in the installation of hot and cold water faucets, mechanical drain stops that were missing or did not operate, and toilets that were damaged, had loose connections to the floor, were leaking, or had tank components that did not operate will be noted in report.


New Construction Inspections

 



Ensure the Quality of Your New Home

Many people assume that just because a house is new that it does not need to be inspected. The process of building a home is complex and involves many different professionals and skilled trades. The interface between these trades is critical but the division of responsibility is not always clear and with the rapid rate at which homes are built, there are times when items may be overlooked by builders and contractors.

This inspection is performed when a newly built home is ready for move in but before your final walk-thru with the builder. Compared to the cost of the home, the cost of a professional inspection buys significant peace of mind. Have our report in hand for that final walk-thru and have any deficiencies corrected before you head to the closing table!


New Construction Consists of 3 Individual Inspections:

Pre-Drywall Arguably the most important phase of new construction is the pre-drywall. This phase has a lot to inspect: framing, electrical rough in, plumbing rough in, HVAC rough in and hurricane resistance attachments. We are here to check and double check these items to make your home safe and ready for you.

Final Walkthrough (Blue Tape)During this final walkthrough, we will go through the house with a fine toothed comb checking all the angles, finishes, paint, texture, flooring, stucco and other exterior wall coverings, insulation in attics, lights, doors etc.

Builder Warranty During an 11 Month Warranty Inspection (sometimes called a Builder's Warranty Inspection), we will examine the property for any deficiencies that have emerged since your closing. You can then use our report to determine if the builder will cover any repair expenses that are revealed.

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BELLS Home Inspections

2655 Ulmerton Road #234

727-287-7623

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