Frequently Asked Questions

How can I contact you?

Either by text or voice at (904) 463-5490. You may also email to GuardianHIFL@gmail.com

I'm buying a brand new home from a builder, should I get an inspection? If so, why?

Yes! County/municipal inspection officials are often very overworked. A quick look is given to various components. Often county inspectors don't walk roofs -- one of your home's primary defenses against the elements and one of the most costly items to repair/replace.

Consider your home was built by anywhere from five to ten subcontractors, each with a team of three to ten workers. For the most part, each team is concerned only with their specific area of expertise. So, it's possible that up to 100 people worked on your new home.... and most of them didn't talk to each other!

An inspection you purchase, will give you the leverage to have any deficiencies corrected by the builder before you move in.

Most likely, your new home will be covered by a one-year builder warranty. So, be sure to have your home professionally re-inspected eight to eleven months after closing. Why? You want to have any issues/defects corrected BEFORE that warranty expires and YOU assume all responsibility/cost of repairs.

What is InterNACHI®? Why should my inspector be InterNACHI® certified?

InterNACHI® is the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors®. It is the world’s largest inspection trade association. InterNACHI® promotes a high standard of professionalism, business ethics and inspection procedures. Members subscribe to a code of ethics. For you, the customer, there are two important reasons for using an InterNACHI inspector:

InterNACHI® certified inspectors subscribe to a code of ethics
InterNACHI® members are required to stay current in the field and must pass an exam once every three years to retain their InterNACHI® membership

Guardian is an InterNACHI® member.

What is an Insurance 4-Point Inspection? Why would I need one?

A 4-Point Inspection covers visible elements of: the Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning System, the roof, the plumbing, and the electrical system.

Insurers often require a 4-Point Inspection before they will insure the structure or continue existing coverage. Homes vary widely in age. Each home, at the time it was constructed, generally used the latest construction techniques and equipment available. However, a home constructed in the 1950's may no longer be using current standard equipment or techniques. For example: A 1950's home may have an electric panel with screw in fuses instead of a circuit breaker panel and/or solid strand aluminum wiring instead of copper wiring.

Why should I have the well water flow tested?

The current owner(s) say they've never had a problem with the well meeting their needs. So, why should I have it tested?

In short, every family situation is different. Maybe there are only one or two people living in the home, you have a family of six. The United States Geological Survey estimates each person in a household uses between 80 and 100 gallons of water per day. If this sounds high, consider there are toilets to flush (generally the highest household usage of water), dishes to wash, laundry to clean, showers to take, meals to cook, outdoor plants to water and even the occassional car to wash. It all adds up rather quickly.

The well water flow test measures how much water is being dispensed thru the well output source in gallons per minute at a given time. You'll want to know the well can adequately meet your family needs before you purchase.

Why should I have a well water analysis done?

In short, for your family's safety. The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) recommends well water be tested at least annually. What should be checked? Bacteria, nitrates, coliform and any other contaminants of local concern.

Our test covers several items, but most important to your health and well-being is the coliform test. Coliform is a type of bacteria. Some are harmless to humans, but the presence of E. Coli can signal there is fecal contamination. Various versions of E. Coli can cause: diarrhea, pneumonia, breathing problems and urinary tract infections. (Source: WebMD)

What is an 11th Month Warranty Expiration Reinspect on New Construction? Why should I have one done?

If you purchase a new home from a builder, it's likely the builder will provide a one-year warranty on the entire structure. After the one-year warranty is up, you assume all costs of repairs to the structure.

So, it's wise to protect your home investment with a professional inspection eight to eleven months after you've closed on your home. Any deficiencies the inspector finds will be presented in a comprehensive report you can provide to the builder, with the request to have all deficiencies remedied BEFORE your one-year warranty expires. This could potentially save you thousands of dollars in repairs.

Why should I, as a Seller, do a pre-listing inspection?

A pre-listing inspection is done to find deficiencies/issues on a property BEFORE it's put on the market. You may be thinking, umm, not now. If there are known deficiencies, I'll have to disclose them to potential buyers. Yes, that's true; however, the buyer's inspector will uncover these issues anyway. Uncovering them prior to listing permits you to be aware of "what you're up against" and fix these items prior to listing the property. Plus, it gives you time to obtain competitive bids to remedy any deficiencies.

A pre-inspected property provides buyers with more confidence in making their offer. It increases the buyer's perceived value of the property and it reduces their negotiating leverage. However, probably most important to the seller, a pre-listing inspection can help avoid 11th hour crisis issues which can cause the entire transaction to fall through.

Why should I get a manufactured (mobile) home inspection?

Manufactured homes are constructed differently than structures permanently affixed to the ground. Because of the different construction methods and the fact that the structure can be moved from place to place, there are many potential areas for failure and other issues. An inspection can reveal these types of defects.

Why should I get a Wind Mitigation Inspection?

In Florida, homeowners often receive substantial discounts on their Homeowner's Insurance, if their home has features that are more resistant to high winds. In addition to saving homeowners on insurance premiums, a home capable of withstanding high winds is simply a safer structure to be in during severe weather.

What we look for: roof to foundation anchoring, water barriers, window and door coverings. We are certified to provide a Wind Mitigation report, which you can send to your insurance company.

Why should I have the deck inspected?

A deck seems like such a simple structure, why should it be inspected?

Simply, deck failures may cause injury and death. Not all home inspectors include decks; Guardian does. One of the deadliest deck structural failures was the deck/walkway collapse at the Hyatt Regency Kansas City Missouri hotel. In 1981, the overhead walkway at the Hyatt failed, collapsing onto a party in the lobby. One hundred fourteen people were killed and more than 200 others were injured (Source: Kansas City Star). A home deck may not be as elaborate as the deck structure at the Hyatt, but it would be wise to have it inspected. After all, unlike the interior of a home, decks are constantly subjected to the weather. In Florida, the combination of brutal heat, high humidity and the occasional hurricane, take their toll on outdoor structures.

Do you share my information with 3rd Parties?

Guardian will NEVER sell your personal information to outside 3rd parties. Your security is very important to us!