Resource center
Clear answers about Florida home inspections
Local authority hub
Start with the essentials
The most-asked questions about home inspections in Florida, answered directly.
- Florida Home Inspection ChecklistA Florida home inspection checklist should cover the roof's age and condition, signs of water intrusion, attic moisture and ventilation, air-conditioning performance and condensate drainage, electrical panel type and wiring, plumbing materials such as polybutylene or galvanized pipe, water heater age, windows and opening protection, stucco and exterior sealants, grading and drainage, pool safety barriers, evidence of wood-destroying organisms, and the property's flood zone and permit history.
- How to Prepare a Home for InspectionTo prepare a home for inspection, make sure all utilities are on, clear access to the electrical panel, water heater, air handler, attic hatch, and garage, unlock gates and sheds, replace burned-out bulbs and HVAC filters, and gather documents such as roof permits, window and shutter product approvals, and service records. Buyers should schedule quickly, confirm access with their agent, and plan to attend the final walkthrough.
- Can a House Fail a Home Inspection?No. A home inspection has no pass or fail result; it documents the home's condition so the buyer can make decisions. However, some findings can create real obstacles: an insurer may decline a home with an old roof or certain electrical panels after a four-point inspection, a lender's appraiser may require repairs for safety or soundness, and significant defects can lead buyers to renegotiate or cancel within their inspection period.
- Who Pays for a Home Inspection in Florida?In Florida real estate transactions, the buyer usually pays for the home inspection because the inspection is performed for the buyer's benefit during their inspection period. The fee is typically paid directly to the inspector when the inspection is booked or completed — not at closing. Sellers sometimes pay for a pre-listing inspection before putting a home on the market, and the parties can negotiate other arrangements in the contract.
- What Is a Wind Mitigation Inspection?A wind mitigation inspection is a Florida insurance inspection that documents a home's wind-resistant construction features on the state's Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802). The inspector verifies the building code the home was built under, roof covering, roof-deck attachment, roof-to-wall attachment, roof geometry, secondary water resistance, and opening protection. Florida law requires insurers to offer discounts for qualifying features, and a completed form is generally valid for up to five years.
- What Is a Four-Point Inspection?A four-point inspection is a limited insurance inspection that documents the condition, age, and type of a home's four major systems — roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC — so an insurance company can decide whether to write or renew a homeowners policy. Florida insurers commonly require one for older homes, often those roughly 25 to 40 years old or more depending on the carrier. It is not a full home inspection and does not pass or fail a home; it reports conditions the underwriter evaluates.
- What Does a Home Inspector Look For?A home inspector looks for material defects, safety hazards, and maintenance needs in a home's visible systems: roof and attic, exterior and drainage, foundation and structure, electrical, plumbing, water heater, heating and cooling, interior surfaces, windows and doors, built-in appliances, and the garage. In Florida, inspectors pay extra attention to water intrusion, roof condition, HVAC condensate, and electrical and plumbing materials that affect insurability.
- How Long Does a Home Inspection Take?A typical single-family home inspection takes 2.5 to 4 hours on site. Smaller homes and condos can take 1.5 to 2.5 hours, while large, older, or poorly maintained homes can take 4 hours or more. Adding a four-point or wind mitigation inspection usually adds 30 to 60 minutes. For eligible inspections, Palm View's written report is available the same day under our Same-Day Report Guarantee.
- What Is a Home Inspection?A home inspection is a non-invasive, visual evaluation of a home's accessible systems and components — roof, structure, exterior, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, interior, insulation, ventilation, and built-in appliances — performed by a licensed home inspector. In Florida, inspectors are licensed by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and follow state Standards of Practice. The result is a written report with photos that identifies defects, safety concerns, and maintenance needs so a buyer can make an informed decision.
Browse by topic
Buying a Home
What inspections cover, how long they take, and how to use the results when you're under contract.
What Does a Home Inspector Look For?
A room-by-room and system-by-system look at what a Florida home inspector evaluates, the common findings in Tampa Bay homes, and what's outside the scope.
Read the guideHow Long Does a Home Inspection Take?
Most home inspections take 2.5 to 4 hours on site, and eligible inspections receive a same-day report. Here's what affects the timeline in Florida.
Read the guideWhat Is a Home Inspection? A Florida Buyer's Guide
A home inspection is a licensed inspector's visual evaluation of a home's systems. Learn what's covered in Florida, what isn't, and how to use the report.
Read the guideSelling a Home
Preparing for a buyer's inspection, pre-listing inspections, and handling findings.
Should Sellers Get a Pre-Listing Inspection?
A pre-listing inspection lets Florida sellers find and fix issues before buyers do. Learn the benefits, trade-offs, and which insurance forms to have ready.
Read the guideHow to Prepare a Home for Inspection
A practical checklist for sellers and buyers: access, utilities, documents, and simple fixes that help a Florida home inspection go smoothly.
Read the guideCan a House Fail a Home Inspection?
A house can't pass or fail a home inspection — but some findings can affect insurance, financing, or the deal. Here's how to think about serious findings.
Read the guideWho Pays for a Home Inspection in Florida?
In Florida, the buyer usually pays for the home inspection. Learn when sellers pay, when the fee is due, and how add-on insurance inspections are handled.
Read the guideInsurance Inspections
How Florida insurers use inspections, and how to get the documentation you need.
How Your Roof Affects Home Insurance in Florida
Roof age, type, and condition drive Florida insurance decisions. Learn what insurers look for, how inspections document it, and what buyers should ask.
Read the guideFour-Point vs. Wind Mitigation Inspections: What's the Difference?
Both are Florida insurance inspections, but they answer different questions. Compare the four-point and wind mitigation side by side — and learn when you need both.
Read the guideFour-Point Inspections
Roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC documentation for older Florida homes.
Four-Point Inspection Red Flags: What Florida Insurers Question
The electrical panels, wiring, plumbing, roofs, and HVAC conditions that most often cause trouble on a Florida four-point inspection — and what to do about them.
Read the guideWhat Is a Four-Point Inspection in Florida?
A four-point inspection documents a home's roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC for insurers. Learn who needs one, what's checked, and common issues.
Read the guideWind Mitigation
The OIR-B1-1802 form, wind-resistant construction features, and premium credits.
Roof-to-Wall Connections Explained: Toe Nails, Clips, and Wraps
Roof-to-wall attachment is a key item on Florida's wind mitigation form. Learn the difference between toe nails, clips, single wraps, and double wraps.
Read the guideWhat Is a Wind Mitigation Inspection in Florida?
A wind mitigation inspection documents hurricane-resistant features on Florida's OIR-B1-1802 form so insurers can apply premium discounts. Here's how it works.
Read the guideNew Construction
Pre-drywall, final, and 11-month warranty inspections for new Florida homes.
What Is a Pre-Drywall Inspection?
A pre-drywall inspection documents framing, hurricane connectors, and rough systems before drywall hides them. Learn when to schedule it and what's checked.
Read the guideNew-Construction Final vs. 11-Month Warranty Inspections
Both inspections protect new-home buyers, at different moments. Compare timing, purpose, and what each typically finds in Tampa Bay new construction.
Read the guideFlorida Homeownership
Florida-specific risks, from termites and sinkholes to flood zones.
Understanding WDO (Termite) Inspections in Florida
What a Florida WDO inspection covers, who performs it, how it differs from a home inspection, and why lenders often require one.
Read the guideFlorida Home Inspection Checklist: What Matters Most
A Florida-specific buyer's checklist: roof, water intrusion, HVAC, electrical and plumbing materials, wind protection, flood zones, and more.
Read the guideHome Maintenance
Seasonal maintenance and hurricane readiness for Tampa Bay homes.
Hurricane Season Home Checklist for Tampa Bay
Prepare your home before June 1: roof, openings, trees, documents, and post-storm checks. A practical hurricane readiness checklist for Tampa Bay homeowners.
Read the guideFlorida Home Maintenance Calendar: Month-by-Month
A practical, season-by-season maintenance calendar for Tampa Bay homeowners — HVAC, roof, plumbing, hurricane prep, and pest prevention.
Read the guideInspection Reports
How to read, prioritize, and act on a home inspection report.
A Successful Home Inspection Takes Teamwork
Understanding the roles of buyers, sellers, real estate agents, and home inspectors.
Read the guideWhat to Expect During a Florida Home Inspection
What a Florida home inspection covers, what happens before, during, and after it, and what it can't tell you.
Read the guideHow to Read a Home Inspection Report
A practical method for reading a home inspection report: start with the summary, sort by priority, get estimates, and decide what to negotiate.
Read the guideWhat a Sample Inspection Report Can Tell You
Before you hire an inspector, review a sample report. Here's what to look for: clarity, photos, priorities, and whether findings are explained in context.
Read the guide
Have a question we didn't answer?
Call and ask — we're happy to explain inspections, insurance forms, and what to expect, even before you book.