I need a home inspector (Fort Lauderdale, Cape Coral: 2010, rent, insurance)

[Angelala]

We sold our house and have another one pending and we need someone to inspect the house. We are mainly concerned about Chinese drywall and I already know what signs to look for but I would still like to have a home inspection done. If anyone knows a good one let me know please. I need to have it done next week.

Thanks!

[Doug Wall]

Cape Coral and all Florida consumers should know that "Chinese" drywall inspections are an environmental issue and a home inspectors "standard of practice" does not cover odorous or "Chinese" drywall inspections. Home Inspectors errors and omissions insurance does not cover "Chinese' drywall inspections.

www.radonmoldhelp.com

www.naplesmoldinspection.com

[CraftyJIS]

Yikes! That's scary! I saw your post and was hoping to see a great reply! We are moving there next month and will either need an inspection then, or rent for a while and need an inspection later. That's horrible that the chinese drywall wouldn't be included in an inspection!

[blindwayne]

there are many home inspectors who can check for chinese drywall not sure what doug wall is talking about. some inspectors can do it as part of the home inspection and others charge seperately for it

[justNancy]

I think he is saying they can inspect for it, but they are not responsible if it becomes a problem in the future. I honestly don't know how true that is.

However, this is from a site in Fort Lauderdale, so I agree that there has to be a Licensed Inspector in this area who has been properly trained.

Our Company has a Licensed Home Inspector who has been recently trained on visibly inspecting and photographing the exposed metal components in a home in order to document the extent of the exposure due to corrosive vapor. There are common markers that can be identified in a home by a licensed inspector such as discoloration and pitting corrosion of metal components. This method is the most available method to test for the presence of Chinese Drywall in your home and it can take anywhere between 1-2 hours to complete and the costs range from $200-$300. The subjective margin of error increases in homes with low vapor levels or just a few boards of Chinese drywall in the home, this is why it is extremely important to have your home inspected by a licensed home inspector.

Edit: I just clicked on an advertiser's link on City-Data. I am not recommending this company, since I haven't recently purchased a home, but Kross Inspection (look at the links on this page) says they inspect for Chinese Drywall. Guess I shouldn't have posted, since I'm not being much help. Sorry.

You might want to read this inspector's web page about Chinese Drywall. It is very extensive. Again, I have no personal experience, just have some links for when I finally bite the bullet and buy a house. http://www.ableinspector.com/chinese-drywall-inspections

[justNancy]

I just want to add that there is a very informative thread on Chinese Drywall that a lot of members have contributed to, so you might want to read through all the pages to get some valuable information. Good luck!

http://www.city-data.com/forum/fort-...w-fl-home.html

[Jersey560]

Lee County Inspection Services (Ask for John) 246-9534

[CraftyJIS]

Great to see more info coming in!

[kbuild]

I do Home Inspections and I am a Licensed General Contractor, checking for Chinese Drywall is not difficult. But, what I have found out is most "Home Inspectors" do not have a State License or basically any training. Just my Two cents.

Kevin
941.735.1413

[Doug Wall]

most "Home Inspectors" do not have a State License or basically any training. Just my Two cents.

Some Home Inspectors will inspect almost anything to make money. Many claim to be "certified mold inspectors" a certification that does not meet the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) requirements. Many check for Chinese Drywall but their errors and omissions insurance does not cover environmental issues.

• All Home Inspectors “Standard of Practice” do NOT cover MOLD or Chinese Drywall inspections. Not ASHI, InterNACHI or NAHI, none
• Home Inspection Insurance does NOT cover MOLD inspections.

• Mold Liability / Errors and Omissions insurance is entirely different than home inspection insurance.

Insurance for Mold / Chinese Drywall Inspections / testing:

• Professional Liability E&O that covers mold assessments and Preliminary mold inspections / testing also covers “Chinese Drywall inspections.
• 
  Microbial Consulting Coverage is E&O that covers MOLD Post remediation inspection/testing (Clearance inspections)

What we know of the new Florida Home Inspection / Mold law so far:
Effective July, 2010 (one year from now)
Florida State Licensed Home Inspector

Minimum time to become licensed 3 to 4 weeks
Requirements:
120 hours of approved training
Pass a state test
NO experience
$300,000 liability insurance

No Errors & Omissions insurance required

Companies providing Home Inspection services must be certified by the FL DBPR. Continuing Education Classes Required

Florida State Licensed Mold Inspector (Assessor)

Minimum time to become licensed 3 to 4 years
Requirements:
Extensive approved training
· Pass a state test
· 4 years experience
· Minimum $1 million Liability & E&O insurance

(1 year of experience with specific College degrees)
Companies providing Mold Inspection services must be certified by the FL DBPR
Continuing Education Classes Required

If you need an environmental inspection, mold, chinese drywall, allergens, VOC's, radon, etc. consider hiring a professional in that field.

Florida Department of Health is a good place to start.
Imported Drywall

AmIAQC for professionals with real certifications for IAQ issues
http://www.iaqcouncil.org/locator/locator.htm