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TSI on Business Leaders Spotlight with TC Bradley

A Message for 1st Time Home Buyers

Inspection Services /

One of the things that we’ve seen happen here in the real estate market is we are being inundated with the first time buyers and I know you have a special message for first-time home buyers here in our market so take your time and look into that camera and give …

That word yeah my pleasure I would love

to:

Listen if you’re new to Florida or if

you’ve been here your whole life and

this is your first time buying a home

one thing you need to know for certain

is that we are in a non-standard

environment we live in a tropical

environment and the needs to be

met there are basically the reverse of

what the rest of the country lives in

this is more of an important message to

the new to Florida person that’s

coming down here and they I hear this

all the time well this is what happens

in Indiana

this is South Florida and we have very

different environmental concerns here

you need to understand not only what’s

important about the environment but

what’s important about the insurance

Market the insurance Market in Florida

is one of the main drivers of what the

future of our real estate is going to be

and there’s significant differences

in that area so those are concerns I

would like everybody to pay attention to

Contact Us

 

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Mold Problem? Where Do You Start?

Home Health Tips, Inspection Services /
water intrusion mold assessor

If you suspect you have a mold problem, who is the first person you should think of?

A mold assessor, of course!

As long as we have inhabited structures, we have been living with mold. So what happens when you realize that you really may have a mold problem?

One place to start is with a mold assessor. Mold assessment and testing is a combination of science and creative judgment on the part of the mold assessor. There are no firm industry standards that designate one single “right” way to assess and test a structure, which makes it imperative to select an experienced, reputable mold assessor.

Why is a mold assessor preferred over an inspector?

Be aware that there is a difference between a mold assessor and a mold inspector. The two main differences are as follows: 1) a mold assessor has undergone a higher level of training than a mold inspector, and 2) a mold assessor is the architect of the project whereas a mold inspector performs mold testing but without the in-depth assessment and project management skill-set.

The mold assessor is essentially the architect of the project, a common industry phrase referencing their pre- and post-project responsibilities. Due to this managerial role of the mold assessor, selecting a qualified and experienced assessor is the first step to take.

The mold assessor carries out the following functions:

  • Performs a visual assessment of both the structure and the property under and around the structure. This visual assessment is subjective, so experience is a critical component that enables the assessor to make the correct determination based on the visual inspection.

  • Identifies the source of water or moisture, when possible. Keep in mind that mold assessors do not perform invasive investigations, such as removing walls or shower tiles, so they may not be able to visually see the cause of moisture to identify it. Conversely, since mold re-mediators do perform invasive investigations by removing structural building materials, it is legally their responsibility to locate the moisture source and make sure it is fixed before closing up and putting the investigated area back together.

  • Designs and implements testing protocol according to industry standards. Ideally, a combination of testing methods should be used to give the broadest picture of what is going on in the structure.

  • Interprets objective test results in the context of the site visit. Reports findings in a written mold report.

  • When applicable, outlines a generalized mold remediation protocol that includes the specific criteria that must be met for the project to pass Post Remediation Verification (PRV).

  • Confers with the mold re-mediator on the remediation protocol. Please note that it is the responsibility of the re mediator to notify the mold assessor if the scope of the plan needs to be altered based on the additional information gained during the invasive investigation.

  • Confirms completed execution of remediation protocol by mold re mediator.

  • Performs PRV testing to determine that PRV criteria have been met. Keep in mind that the initial mold assessor can perform clearance testing, or another company can be brought in to do it.

For more information visit Florida Health

 

Mold Problem? Where Do You Start? Read More »

electric panel 4 point home inspector

4 Point Inspection

Inspection Services /

4 Point Inspection

4 Point Inspection

I’d like to take a few minutes to talk about 4 Point Inspections. A 4-point inspection consists of completing a standardized form regarding the fundamental systems comprised in a structure. It is really a fairly inclusive inspection report in a format underwriters use to evaluate the risk when writing an insurance policy. In general, a 4-point inspection covers the four major cost expense systems: your electric, the plumbing, the roof, and the hvac. This also includes the damages that they have or may result from their current conditions. This typically does not and should not replace the buyer’s full home inspection that they would have prior to purchasing. That has a much more inclusive scope and a required inspection list.

How Did the Report Come About?

In the past years it was regularly requested on structures 25 years of age or older, but in recent years several insurance companies have begun requesting them on structures as young as 15 years. The first section of a 4 Point is regarding the home’s electrical system. It includes all electrical panels the wiring and any hazards noted with several specific questions asked on the form regarding if various hazards are present.

In the second section the HVAC or heat and air conditioning systems are covered and include any solid fuel and gas-fired equipment and the use of portable heat sources.

In the third section the home’s plumbing system is examined. This includes the pipes, the appliances, leakages, and water intrusions both past and present.

In the fourth and final section the roof and or roofs are considered again things such as style, type and conditions are reviewed, roof age, and existing damages are recorded and again asked in several specific questions.

All these answers must be verified and recorded with color photos that must be part of the finished form. Getting your 4 Point inspection form done correctly is extremely important to both policy coverage as much as the rates. This is not the place to go with the cheapest inspector in town, or the one provided by your insurance agent. To schedule your 4-point inspection press the call button or just use the phone number you see on the page .I look forward to speaking with you!

Thank you I’m Rick,  this is Trade Secrets Inspections .

239-537-1186

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roof inspection naples fl

Why Do I Climb Around On Rooftops?

Inspection Services /

Why Do I climb Around on Rooftops?

Because even if you’re a new construction build, at some point your roof will need to be assessed. That’s what we at Trade Secrets Inspections are here for- watch the video to help understand how a roof inspection can get you a break on your homeowner’s insurance, too.

I would like to take a few minutes to talk about roofs in Florida and why it’s such a big deal. I’m sure this will answer many of your questions. Let’s start with the fact that we live in what is a very intense environment for roof systems. For the purpose of clarification, when we say “roofs” what we are actually referring to is roof “coverings” and not the structure that supports the covering. A roofing contractor by defined limits of their license type are not able to build or repair the structural components, rafters, and trusses. That requires a general contractor or similar license. Okay, so why are they a big deal? To start with, new roof covering requirements are often taken to their limits here due to the high wind resistance needed as well as the water resistance of the whole system. If you would like to learn more about wind zones, & building codes check out our other videos on hurricanes and wind zones and Florida building code.

To say it simply, insurance companies have become very resistant to covering groups because they don’t want to buy any more replacement. That being said, it’s the expected designed useful lifespan of both the covering as well as the underlayment that is being looked at along with the material and condition. More to the point is the underlayment that is primary importance in the regard they are qualified as either a secondary water- resistant layer or a secondary water barrier. SWF here the primary difference is that the underlayment is applied with adhesive and is it applied directly to the sheeting or not. However, there are other ways of getting an swr rating such as closed cell foam spray or seam taping. So where does that leave us? Well, the best underlayments are listed as having a designed useful lifespan of 25 years maximum. If your roof is at or approaching that age it is likely due for replacement and will likely no longer be insurable here in southwest Florida, where requirements are high, so are the prices. The average two thousand to twenty-five hundred square foot home under shingles is about fifteen thousand dollars to re-roof and that same house under tile is about thirty five thousand dollars or more so that’s a big deal and should not be overlooked. And don’t forget that just because it’s new doesn’t mean it was installed correctly!

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