FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most—from first-time buyers to seasoned real estate investors.
General
How long does a home inspection take?+
Most residential home inspections take 2 to 4 hours depending on size, age, and condition. Larger or older homes may take longer.
What is included in a home inspection?+
We inspect every accessible major system: roof, attic, foundation, structure, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, water heater, doors, windows, interior, exterior, and safety items.
How much does a home inspection cost?+
Cost varies with home size and inspection type. Most standard residential inspections range from $350–$650. Call for an exact quote.
Can I attend the inspection?+
Yes, and we encourage it. Attending lets you see findings firsthand and ask questions in context.
When will I receive my report?+
Most reports are delivered the same day or within 24 hours of the inspection.
Do you use modern inspection technology?+
Yes. We use thermal imaging, moisture meters, gas detectors, and drones where appropriate.
Are you licensed and insured?+
Yes. We are fully licensed by the State of Florida and carry both general liability and Errors & Omissions insurance.
Do you offer same-day or next-day scheduling?+
Frequently, yes. Call us directly for the fastest scheduling options.
Do you re-inspect after repairs?+
Yes. Re-inspections of repaired items can be scheduled at a reduced rate.
Will you give repair estimates?+
We don't quote specific contractor pricing, but we do explain the relative cost tier (minor, moderate, major) of each finding.
Buyers
Should I get an inspection on a brand-new home?+
Absolutely. New construction commonly has builder oversights that are far easier to fix before closing or before the warranty expires.
What if the inspection reveals serious issues?+
You'll have the data you need to renegotiate price, request repairs, or in some cases walk away from the deal.
Can I use the inspection report to negotiate?+
Yes. Buyers regularly use inspection findings to renegotiate price or request seller-paid repairs.
How quickly can you inspect before my closing?+
We can usually accommodate inspections within 2–3 business days, often faster.
Sellers
Why would a seller get a pre-listing inspection?+
To eliminate surprises during buyer due diligence, address issues on your own timeline, and price the home with full information.
Do I have to disclose findings to buyers?+
Material defects must generally be disclosed under Florida law. We recommend consulting your agent on disclosure specifics.
4-Point
What is a 4-point inspection?+
A focused inspection of the four major systems—roof, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing—required by most Florida insurers for homes 25+ years old.
Who requires 4-point inspections?+
Most Florida homeowners insurance carriers require a 4-point before writing or renewing policies on older homes.
How long does a 4-point inspection take?+
Approximately 30–60 minutes on site.
Will my carrier accept your 4-point report?+
Yes. We submit on state-standard forms accepted by Citizens and all major Florida carriers.
How long is a 4-point report valid?+
Most carriers accept 4-point reports for one year, though some accept them longer.
Wind Mitigation
What is a wind mitigation inspection?+
An inspection that documents hurricane-resistant features of your home so your insurer can apply Florida-mandated premium discounts.
How much can I save with a wind mitigation report?+
Florida homeowners commonly report $300–$1,500 per year in wind premium savings, though individual results vary.
How long is a wind mit report valid?+
Wind mitigation reports remain valid for five years.
Do new homes need a wind mit inspection?+
Newer homes built to current code qualify for the most credits. A wind mit is still required to claim them.
Commercial
Do you inspect commercial properties?+
Yes. We perform Property Condition Assessments for office, retail, warehouse, industrial, and multi-family properties.
How is commercial different from residential?+
Scope, deliverable format, and turnaround differ. Commercial reports are structured to support investor and lender due diligence.
Can you handle large multi-tenant buildings?+
Yes. We scale our inspector team and report scope to fit the property size and complexity.
New Construction
Do you inspect new construction?+
Yes—pre-drywall, final walk-through, and 11-month warranty inspections.
Why bother inspecting a brand-new home?+
Even quality builders make mistakes. Inspecting at key construction milestones helps catch and correct issues under warranty.
Insurance
Why do insurance companies require inspections?+
To verify the condition of major systems and document mitigation features that affect the carrier's risk exposure.
Will you send the report directly to my insurance agent?+
Yes, on request. We'll email reports directly to your agent or carrier.
Process
How do I schedule an inspection?+
Call us at (407) 309-8997, email pillarinspections@gmail.com, or use our online contact form.
What forms of payment do you accept?+
Cash, check, all major credit cards, and electronic payment.
Do you require payment up front?+
Payment is typically due at the time of inspection.
Can the report be shared with my realtor?+
Yes, you control who receives the report. We can share it with anyone you designate.
Do you offer discounts for bundled inspections?+
Yes. Combining a home inspection with 4-point and wind mitigation services typically saves on the total price.
What if I have questions after I receive my report?+
Call or email us anytime. We're happy to walk through findings post-inspection at no extra cost.
What areas do you serve?+
We serve all of Central Florida including Seminole and Orange Counties.
Still Have Questions?
We're happy to answer them. Give us a call or send us a message.