Purchasing a home may be the largest investment that many of us will make in our lifetime.
The same applies for commercial or investment properties.
Having a home or commercial property inspection done is one of the best ways to protect that investment, both as a buyer and seller.
A qualified home inspector will provide you with critical information that reveals the inner workings and condition of the home. That information you receive from a home inspection can reveal safety issues, help forecast future repair costs, determine dealbreakers, and provide an opportunity for negotiation.
Additionally, a thorough home inspector can help you save costs with home insurance policies.
About Manuel Garrido
All inspections are done by Manuel Garrido, a certified and insured home and commercial property inspector based in South Florida.
Manuel spent over 40 years working in complex engineering, aviation, and military work and is now retired from that line of business, but decided to come out of retirement after his daughter had a bad experience with a home inspector. The inspector missed a lot of potential home insurance cost savings, and she ended up having to have the inspection redone. Manuel ended up working with his daughter to resolve the issues and then ended up pursuing a certification as a home inspector so that he could help other homeowners and prevent them from going through the same situation.
Due to his four-decade career in engineering and business development, Manuel is patient, detail-oriented, and very thorough. He is able to explain complex technical issues in a way that is easy to understand.
Manuel holds an MBA in Finance, a Master’s Degree in Engineering, and is an FAA-licensed Airplane Commercial Pilot and licensed Drone Pilot. Manuel holds the following licenses in the construction industry in Florida:
Certified Home Inspector License # HI14475
Certified Roofing Contractor License # CCC1335560
Certified Building Contractor License # CBC1267981
We specialize in: Buyer’s / Seller’s Inspections, Wind Mitigation, Four Point, Roof Certification and Wind Mitigation Affidavit for Roofing Permits
HVAC Inspection
Roof Inspection
Doors & Windows Inspection
Doors & Windows Inspection
Electrical Inspection
Plumbing Inspection
FAQs
WHAT IS A 4-POINT INSPECTION?
A 4-point inspection is like a health check for your home. It’s a detailed visual examination of the four critical systems of a house: HVAC, electrical. plumbing, and the roof. This inspection is a crucial process that can have significant impacts on your home’s safety and value.
These four systems are often the source of claims, so most insurance companies require a 4-point inspection before offering coverage.
IS A 4-POINT INSPECTION REQUIRED?
Citizens insurance and most, if not all insurance companies in Florida, requires a 4-point inspection with the home insurance application for properties more than 20years old.
Even if you already have an insurance policy, sometimes the insurance company may require you to have a new 4-point inspection done before renewal.
HOW LONG IS A 4-POINT INSPECTION VALID FOR?
The 4-point inspection is valid for one year.
WHAT IS A WIND MITIGATION INSPECTION?
A wind mitigation inspection is a visual examination of the condition of the roof and the techniques used during its construction.
It takes into consideration the shape of the roof, the design of the structure, how the deck is nailed, and how the trusses are anchored to the outer walls.
It also inspects all openings (i.e.: windows, doors, skylights, garage doors, etc.) to certify that all openings are protected against damage from impacts of windburned debris with products that are Miami-Dade County code compliant.
IS A WIND MITIGATION INSPECTION REQUIRED?
No, the wind mitigation inspection in Florida is optional however, the insurance company may require a wind mitigation inspection if your home was built before 2002. After March 1, 2002 all new construction in the state of Florida was required to meet the new more stringent code requirements designed to better mitigate the effects of windstorms.
In order to obtain a building permit to replace the existing roof, the application must include an affidavit that the house meets the wind mitigation requirements or the new roofing contract must include retrofitting the proper anchorage of the roof structure
However, it is in the best interest of the home owner to do a wind mitigation inspection regardless because if the house meets the requirements, it could mean a significant discount on the wind portion of the premium, which the insurance company is obligated to give by law.
HOW LONG IS A W-M INSPECTION VALID FOR?
Wind mitigation inspections in Florida are valid for up to five years provided no further updates are made to the home.
WHAT IS A FULL BUYER’S INSPECTION?
A full buyer’s inspection includes:
A 4-point inspection
A wind mitigation inspection
Interior inspection of:
Walls and ceilings
Attic for roof structural issues
HVAC system efficiency
Windows and doors functionality
Kitchen cabinets and appliances
Bathrooms cabinets and fixtures
Garage
Laundry cabinets and appliances
Plumbing / fixture functioning
Water heater
Electrical distribution system
Termites (visual observation)
Exterior inspection of:
Structural integrity
Sprinkler system
Pool pump and filter system
Roof covering and gutters
Ground grading and drainage issues
Comprehensive permit history report
WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF A FULL BUYER’S INSPECTION?
You will learn if there are any potential damaging issues of the property and it gives you a negotiating document so that you can get the seller to repair the issues before closing the contract or negotiate a fair price reduction. You can also be able to cancel the contract and have your deposit returned if the seller refuses to negotiate.
We can build any roof:
From small to big. From simple to complex. From a Lifeguard Tower to a Residential Mansion
TILE ROOFS
Tear down
Certified Roofing Contractor License # CCC1335560
We specialize in the following:
Asphalt Shingle Roofs
Metal Roofs
Tile Roofs
Build-up and TPO Flat Roofs
Work in Process
Underlayment
Peel & Stick
METAL ROOFS
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you need a repair or a full replacement of your roof by necessity or maybe you like or want a new and more pleasant look for your home.
Finish Product
Installing new tiles
Private Home in Golden Beach
Asphalt Shingles Roofs and
TPO Flat Roofs
Lifeguard Tower at Sunny Isle
Shingle Roof Underlayment
Work in Process
APEX BUILDING SOLUTIONS
Consistency, quality, and affordability are key factors to consider.
CERTIFIED BUILDING CONTRACTOR LICENSE # CBC1267981
Weather you want to protect your house from possible hurricane damage, unwanted intrusions, improve ambient noise reduction, or add an addition to your home; APEX BUILDING SOLUTIONS can make your desire come to fruition in a professional and affordable process.
We specialize in the following:
* Home additions and remodeling * Wind Mitigation straps retrofit for roof replacement * Hurricane Rated Doors & Windows Installation
We specialize in the following:
New & Remodeling Construction Contractor
Concrete Forming & Flat Concrete Work
Shell Contractor
Masonry, Rebar, & Structural Work
Finishing Work
Construction Builders
Publix Concrete Work
Some of our
work in process
Some of our finished projects
601 Washington Ave.
Tiffany Building
Ross Monarch Center
Sprauts #639
L’Atelier Building
Sabbia Beach
Publix # 1766
Publix # 1569
57 Ocean Miami Beach
Forum Aventura
Five Below Monarch
Planet Fitness Monarch
Key Services Offered:
-
A complete inspection includes a visual examination of the building from top to bottom. The inspection consists of a thorough visual evaluation and reports the condition of the structure, roof, foundation, ground drainage, plumbing, heating system, central air-conditioning system, visible insulation, walls, ceilings, windows, doors, and the operation of all appliances.
-
This type of inspection is used by insurance underwriters and insurance companies to determine the risk of a potential claim. It involves looking at the current condition of the property’s four major systems (Roof, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC) to determine whether an older home has been well maintained, all systems meet certain safety standards, and are in good working condition before issuing a new home insurance policy or a policy renewal.
-
This inspection is a visual examination of the condition of the roof structure, how that structure is secured to the outside walls to prevent uplifting in the event of a high wind condition, all the home openings (entrance doors, garage doors, windows, skylights, glass block windows, etc.) and the type and level of protection against wind damage. Wind mitigation is the process of having or adding structural features to your home that help withstand or increase resistance to damages caused by high winds from major storms or hurricanes. If the house meets certain requirements, the insurance company is required by law to issue a significant discount in the wind portion of your home insurance policy.
-
This is an inspection that informs you of the condition of the roof covering and life expectancy of the roof against water intrusion, but not against wind damage.
-
We can evaluate the present condition of your roof and give you a professional assessment of the remaining usable life of the roof and a comparative cost/benefit analysis of a decision to repair vs replace. It also takes into consideration the current situation with home insurance carriers because most carriers now days are requiring five years minimum remaining life of the roof in order to underwrite a new policy.
-
Wind mitigation refers to the construction features of the building that makes it less vulnerable to high wind event damages such as storms and hurricanes. It analyses the attributes of the building in four specific areas: 1) the actual design shape of the roof if it is a hip roof, gable roof or a flat roof. 2) how the roof structure is anchored or secured to the outside walls of the building which is called the envelop. 3) the design characteristics of the roof structure and decking. 4) How all openings (doors, windows, skylights, glass blocks, etc.) of the building envelop are protected against high impact flying debris.
The great advantage of hurricane rated doors and windows is that they protect your house 24/7 without a need to install shutters just prior to the arrival of a storm. They also provide higher security against intrusions, give you enhanced noise reduction and energy savings.
-
We specialize in the following:
From Publix’s to Sprouts, we can build any
commercial project togetherNew & Remodeling Construction Contractor
Concrete Forming, & Flat Concrete Work
Masonry, Rebar, & Structural Work
Finishing work
-
Homeowner Testimonials
Request a Quote
Kindly fill out the form below to share more details about your inspection needs so that Manuel can call you back and advise you on the best options for your home. He will walk you through the different options based on your circumstances and answer any questions you have about the process!