Four inspections matter most on the First Coast — here's what each one covers and why insurers care.
A licensed inspector spends two to four hours examining the roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and structural systems, then delivers a detailed report with photos. This is your main chance to catch expensive surprises before you own them, and most Florida contracts give you a defined window (often 10–15 days) to complete it.
Florida's climate is ideal for termites, so most lenders and many buyers require a separate WDO inspection specifically checking for termite damage, active infestation, and wood rot. It's a quick, inexpensive add-on that's easy to skip and expensive to regret.
Insurance companies use this narrower inspection — covering just the roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems — to decide whether to insure an older home at all, and at what price. Homes over 25–30 years old almost always need one before a policy will be issued.
This inspection documents features that help a home withstand hurricane-force wind — roof shape, roof-to-wall connections, impact-rated windows, and more — and can unlock meaningful discounts on windstorm insurance. It's one of the few inspections that can save you money rather than just cost it.
More coastal Florida insurance applications get flagged over roof age than almost anything else. Many insurers won't write a new policy on a roof older than 15–20 years without a full replacement or a favorable inspection — worth checking before you fall in love with a home.
We can point you to inspectors who know First Coast construction and coastal insurance requirements.