Frequently Asked Questions

• What does a Home Inspection include?

 At Thomson Home Inspections, we follow the Inspection guidelines and Standards of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).  The Inspection includes an evaluation of such important elements as: Grounds, Foundation, Exterior, Roof, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Electrical, Interior, Garage, Kitchen, Bathrooms and the Pool.  A detailed report is provided that includes digital photography of any discrepancies that may have been found.

• Can a house fail an inspection?

 No.  A professional Home Inspection is simply an examination into the current condition of your prospective home.  It is not an Appraisal or a Municipal Code Inspection.  A Home Inspector, Therefore, will not pass or fail a house, but will simply describe its condition and indicate which items will be in need of repair or replacement in the future.

• Should I attend the Inspection?

 I feel my primary purpose is to educate my clients so they can make informed decisions.  I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO ATTEND THE HOME INSPECTION.  By attending, you will learn first hand how the various components and systems in the home operate.  You can also be aware of any discrepancies that may be found at the time of the Inspection and we can discuss possible repairs that may need to be done by a licensed contractor.

• Can’t I do it myself?

Even the most experienced home owner lacks the knowledge and expertise of a professional Home Inspector who has hundreds and perhaps thousands of inspections performed in their career.  An Inspector is familiar with the many elements of home construction, their proper  installation and maintenance.  The inspector understands how the home’s systems and components are intended to function together, as well as how and why they fail.  Above all, most buyers find it difficult to remain completely objective and unemotional about the house they really want, and this may affect their judgment.  For the most accurate information, it is best to obtain and impartial third-party opinion by an expert in the field of Home Inspection.

• Are you licensed in the State of Florida to perform Home Inspections?

Currently the State of Florida has no licensing requirements for Home Inspectors.  Licensing goes into effect in Florida in July of 2010.  Until then, it is recommended that when choosing a Home Inspector they belong to an organization such as The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).  ASHI has minimum requirements that Home Inspectors need to follow.  ASHI also requires that a minimum of 250 inspections be performed and peer reviewed for accuracy.  Also required are the taking and passing of two national Home Inspector exams.  While any industry may have unqualified individuals, if the Inspectors are at least ASHI certified, you know they have been tested and reviewed

• Why use Thomson Home Inspections, Inc? 

I have performed over seventeen hundred Home Inspections in the past seven year and am an active member of
ASHI.  I take as many seminars as I can to remain current in the different Inspection techniques that the industry recommends.  I am a State of Florida licensed Insurance adjuster, an International Code Council certified Building Inspector, am a licensed Real Estate Salesperson and am educationally certified through Inspection Training Associates in many aspects of Home Inspections.