Planning on buying a home in Tampa in the coming months? With Tampa’s sunny and warm weather, stunning beaches, and ample attractions, it is no surprise that the city’s population continues to grow. Whether you’ve set your sights on a waterfront estate or a spacious single-family home in the suburbs, there are a myriad of property styles from which you can choose.
No matter the home style you desire, one thing is essential for all prospective buyers: getting a thorough home inspection. The best Tampa Florida home inspectors have the skills and knowledge needed to determine the overall condition of a home. From the foundation to the attic, home inspectors in Tampa are a highly valuable resource for area buyers and real estate agents.
How to Find a Home Inspector in Tampa FL – Tips & What to Look for
What should you look for when hiring a Tampa home inspector? There are numerous characteristics that can ensure that your Florida home inspection will be detailed and accurate. Check out some of the most essential qualities to look for as you get ready to hire one of the area’s many Florida licensed home inspectors.
Licensed and insured
The State of Florida requires all home inspectors to be properly licensed. If an individual does not have the necessary licensing, they cannot legally perform residential property inspections. To earn this licensing, the state requires all individuals to complete 120 hours of state-approved training. After completing this training, individuals must then pass the Florida state exam, and submit a formal application. The entire process is governed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
Additionally, those who are applying for a home inspection license in Florida are required to submit proof of general liability insurance coverage. The coverage minimum is $300,000.
Curious as to whether your chosen home inspector is officially licensed? You can search this database from the DBPR for verification purposes.
Trade organization membership
Aside from the required licensing and insurance that all Florida home inspectors are required to possess, there are professional qualifications that are important to look for. One of these qualifications is a professional trade organization membership.
For every Tampa home inspector you are considering, check out their website to see if they belong to organizations such as ASHI or InterNACHI. Having one of these memberships shows that they have received endorsement from a credible organization in the industry, which bodes well for their reputation.
Years of experience
In the home inspection trade, nothing is more valuable than experience of Tampa licensed home inspectors. Having logged years of evaluating homes in every condition imaginable, inspectors who’ve been in the business for a long time have seen it all. As a result, they are better qualified to spot problems when compared to a less experienced inspector.
Advanced training or additional certification
As with any profession, achieving above and beyond the bare minimum is always a plus. Ask each home inspector you are interviewing about any advanced training or additional certifications they have earned. This can include an engineer’s license, chimney inspection certification, pest control experience, and beyond.
Sample reports
A quality home inspector should always be able to provide you with a sample report to show what you can expect to receive from that individual. Excellent Tampa home inspectors will have long reports with plenty of specific details and photos, while those who are not as qualified may reveal sample reports that show hurried jobs, an overall lack of care, vague or nonspecific information, and other red flags.
Good reviews from past clients
Just like you’d expect with any other service or business, always be sure to check for positive Google or Yelp reviews from the home inspector’s past clients. You can also explore their website for positive testimonials.
What does a home inspection cover?
A thorough inspection always includes a full visual examination of the building from top to bottom. The inspector evaluates and reports the condition of the structure, roof, foundation, drainage, plumbing, HVAC, septic system, visible insulation, walls, windows, and doors.
It is important to only use a real estate agent’s recommended home inspector if you know them well and trust the recommendation. Also, it is usually best to avoid inspectors who also offer home renovation and repair services, as this often poses a conflict of interest.
Family Home Inspection | Locally-based business with same-day service
- Address: 128 Douglas Rd W, Oldsmar, FL 34677
- Phone: 727-205-6090
- Cost: By request only
Lauded for their professionalism, prompt and friendly service, and quick response times, Family Home Inspection is one of the best Tampa home inspection companies. The team goes out of their way to ensure accuracy and efficiency with every job. They inspect each property’s interior and exterior with care and knowledge from years of experience. Family Home Inspection quickly makes all home reports available to homeowners and insurance companies online. They offer same-day services when needed, and are a Certified Professional Inspector with InterNACHI CPI.
Cooper Home Inspections | Firefighter owned, Certified Tampa Professional Inspector with InterNACHI
- Address: 3902 Henderson Blvd, Suite 208 #23, Tampa, FL 33629
- Phone: 813-638-9912
- Cost: $375-$625
- Sample home inspection report
Regarded as the #1 home inspectors in Tampa, Cooper Home Inspections boasts a wide array of certifications and accolades. They serve clients in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, and Hernando Counties, and use some of the most advanced inspection technology in the industry. Cooper Home Inspections has dozens of positive client reviews, online scheduling capabilities, $100,000 in warranty coverage, and provides same-day online home inspection reports.
R & R Home Inspections | Same-day Tampa Home Inspection appointments and reports — covering an extensive service area
- Address: 6105 S Main Ave, Tampa, FL 33611
- Phone: 813-616-3356
- Cost: By request only
R & R Home Inspection is another highly-rated home inspectors in Tampa. Providing same-day appointments and reports, their service is exceptionally convenient. They also cover an impressive service area, including South Tampa, Brandon, Temple Terrace, Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Carrollwood, Town ‘N Country, Riverview, Seffner, Pinellas & Pasco – St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Seminole, Largo, Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Manatee, Sarasota, Apollo Beach, and Sun City Center.
Coast2Bay Inspection Services | Elevated home inspectors in Tampa
- Address: 4208 W Wisconsin Ave, Tampa, FL 33616
- Phone: 813-724-7609
- Cost: By request only
Guaranteed to provide peace of mind and top-quality service, Coast2Bay Inspection Services offers premier Tampa home inspections. Using some of the most innovative technology available, the team can quickly and easily catch issues with HVAC systems, home interiors and exteriors, plumbing, and much more. They offer same-day reporting, 24/7 online scheduling, and ongoing support post-inspection. Coast2Bay Inspection Services is InterNACHI Certified, and offers a “We’ll Buy Your Home” guarantee with every inspection.
Bayshore House Inspections | Locally-owned, highly-professional Tampa home inspector
- Address: 3008 W Fair Oaks Ave, Tampa, FL 33611
- Phone: 813-625-6176
- Cost: By request only
Boasting a coveted five-star rating on Yelp, Bayshore House Inspections promises reliable, professional, and objective inspections for every client. They are available for Tampa home inspections seven days a week, and work to offer some of the most competitive pricing in the area.
Dynamic Home Inspections | Thorough, highly-detailed Tampa home inspections
- Address: 3702 W Spruce St #1039, Tampa, FL 33607
- Phone: 813-647-6868
- Cost: By request only
- Sample home inspection report
Dynamic Home Inspections is devoted to exceeding client expectations at every turn. They have an outstanding reputation for delivering highly-detailed reports that miss nothing. The team offers a buyer guarantee, easy-to-read reports, and the latest technology.
Map of Home Inspectors in Tampa
Tampa Home Inspection FAQs
Who pays for the home inspection in Tampa?
While there are exceptions, the home buyer almost always pays for a home inspection. Sellers who want to disclose as much about their property as possible also pay for home inspections.
How much does a home inspection cost in Florida?
The average cost of a home inspection in Florida ranges between $279 and $399. The final cost depends on the square footage of the home.
What does a Tampa home inspector look for?
Tampa home inspectors carefully inspect homes for any kind of damage to the interior or exterior. This can include issues with the HVAC system, plumbing, foundation, siding, flooring, and more.
When buying a home, hiring a trustworthy and reliable home inspector in Tampa is essential. If you’ve started the home buying process, 2 College Brothers can help! Our Tampa movers are dedicated to providing the best packing, unpacking, loading, and unloading services in the area. Contact us today at 813-922-1528 to get started!
