Kross Inspectors Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is included in your typical home inspection?

A: Our regular home inspections include the following elements: Foundation, Exterior Structural, Exterior Grading, Swimming Pool & Equipment, Water Equipment, Exterior Roof, Heating & Cooling, Attic, Insulation & Ventilation, Electrical, Plumbing, and Interior (Including installed appliances & searches for evidence of mold). Of course each inspection also includes a Chinese Drywall Inspection.

Q: Do you inspect for mold?

A: We do include a search for evidence of mold. If we discover water damage, evidence of moisture with our invasive moisture meters, or visual mold growth on surfaces, we will refer you to one of our business partners to conduct a full mold evaluation. The full mold evaluation may include an air quality survey (additional fees apply).

Q: Do you inspect for Termites?

A: We do not perform termite inspections. The state of Florida requires a specialized license with additional training to complete these types of inspections. We have decided to leave this part of the inspection to the experts in that field. If you would like to have a termite inspection, we will refer you to one of our business partners, who typically inspect at the same time that we do. (Additional Fees Apply).

Q: Do you inspect for Chinese Drywall?

A: We include an inspection for defective drywall with all of our home inspections at no additional fee. We also provide inspections that cover only searches for Chinese Drywall.

Q: How reliable are your Chinese Drywall Inspections?

A: Our Inspectors have undergone extensive in house training in defective drywall searches. As this is a fairly new issue found in construction materials, ongoing training is completed on a monthly basis. Kross Inspectors has pioneered the Home Inspection industry in Southwest Florida when it comes to identifying the symptoms of defective drywall.

Q: How do you inspect for Chinese Drywall?

A: Our Chinese Drywall inspections are very comprehensive and specialized. We incorporate both visual and invasive (yet non destructive) techniques to determine the presence of defective drywall. These techniques include inspection of all visible copper & brass plumbing components, inspection of the air conditioning system, inspection of copper wiring at various locations throughout the home, visual inspection of unfinished drywall between walls with specialized equipment, and detection of the presence of excess levels of combustible gases between the walls. Of course, all of our Inspectors have been exposed to homes with defective drywall installed, therefore they are all familiar with the distinctive odor emitted by the drywall (typically, this is the first warning sign recognized by our Inspectors).

Q: How many Chinese Drywall Inspections have you performed?

A: Kross Inspectors has performed over 800 Chinese Drywall Inspections this year.

Q: Do you offer a warranty, certification , or guarantee with your Chinese Drywall Inspections?

A: No, we do not. We agree with government findings and industry standards that offering these types of guarantees are misleading and possibly fraudulent. It is physically impossible to identify the manufacturer and composition of all of a structure’s drywall without removing each piece of installed drywall to visually inspect for labels/stamps and taking a sample for lab analysis. We warn consumers to beware of Inspectors that offer these types of guarantees. However, we do agree with government findings that it is much more important to inspect for the typical symptoms displayed in homes with defective drywall, therefore that is the main focus of our inspection methods and has proven to be very reliable.

Q: How long does a typical home inspection take?

A: The typical home inspection takes between 2 and 3 hours on site. However, some of our Inspectors take the team approach, which shortens the site inspection time. If you are pressed for time and would like a team to inspect your home, please request this when booking your appointment (no additional charge for team inspections).

Q: How far in advance do I need to request an appointment?

A: With our full staff of Inspectors, we can book your appointment with 24 hours notice. Due to the nature of a typical Real Estate Transaction today, cancellations and postponements also provide us with availability for same day appointments. Please call our office if you need to book a rush appointment.

Q: How soon after the inspection will I receive my completed report?

A: Our typical turnaround time is 24 hours after the inspection. With our advanced technology, we deliver our reports electronically. This speeds up the delivery process and allows you to review your completed report and make informed decisions without having to wait for a paper copy. However, we do provide paper copies at no additional charge upon request. We will also deliver via courier to save time.

Q: How do I obtain a copy of my report?

A: Your report will be delivered via email and also uploaded to our secure website and available for your download. However, we do not release reports until payment is received in our office.

Q: How can I pay for my inspection?

A: We accept cash, check, and all major credit cards. You may pay the Inspector on site, pay online with a major credit card, pay over the phone with a major credit card, or you may mail in a check for the invoice (keep in mind that completed reports are not available until payment is received). Please also note that if you are paying online you must log into our web site with a unique username and password. This will be emailed to you the same day that you order your inspection. Please DO NOT create your own username and password if you have ordered your inspection over the phone. If you do not receive your username and password (and it is not in your “junk mail” or “spam” folders), please call our office to obtain this information.

Q: Do I need a Termite Inspection?

A: Although the majority of our conventional construction in this area is concrete block, we encourage clients to obtain a termite inspection. You should consider that many components of your home are still wood construction (roof trusses, window frames, door frames, etc.).

Q: Do I need a Four Point Insurance Inspection?

A: A Four Point Insurance Inspection may be required by some insurance companies for older homes. This is a basic verification of the condition of four elements of the home (Roof, Electrical, Plumbing, & Heating/Cooling). We do provide these inspections, however we ask that you confirm with your insurance agent first that you will need one.

Q: Do I need a Wind Mitigation Verification Report?

A: The Uniform Wind Mitigation Verification Report is required by some insurance companies to extend discounts on your homeowner’s windstorm coverage. The purpose of the inspection is to verify that the structure’s roof is built under hurricane code and to verify installed hurricane protection (storm panels, shutters, and/or impact resistant glass). The insurance savings can be significant. Please ask your Insurance Agent if this would benefit you. We do have qualified Wind Mitigation Inspectors on staff.