Jason David Epp, Inc.

Answers to “10 Questions to Ask a Home Inspector”

1.  What does your Inspection cover?

My Inspections are conducted as per Florida State and ASHI standards.

2.  How long have you been practicing in the Home Inspection profession and how many inspections have you completed?

I obtained my State Certification as a Home and Property Inspector in February 2011 and have conducted hundreds of Inspections, in between ongoing Contracting work, to include many Wind Mitigation, Roof Certification, Four Point Inspections and a wide variety of other types of custom Inspections and Assessments. My Construction experience goes much further back than this, however. In 1999 I began a four-year apprenticeship, as a 4th generation builder with my father, himself a 3rd generation builder. We constructed multi-story custom homes from the ground up, much of the work completed using our own hands. In 2003 I obtained my State Certification as a Residential Building Contractor, passing what is a notoriously formidable exam on the first attempt, and with a high score. At no point prior to or during that 19 hour, two day ordeal did it occur to me that I might fail. My wife was pregnant with our first child at the time and I signed up for that test with the express and undivided intention of passing. Since that time, my focus has been on remodeling and repair work, mostly the latter, which experience has given me a keen eye for the many and various home and property ailments typical here in Florida. In 2017 I passed the state exam necessary to upgrade my license to that of a General Contractor. To return to the above question, as to experience: the many thousands of Estimates for me as an active Residential “Repair and Rehabilitation” Contractor of near two decades now, are themselves each an Inspection AND a Diagnosis.

3.  Are you specifically experienced in Residential Inspection? 

Yes. As a Licensed General and Residential Building Contractor I have a wide and diverse base of experience in Residential Construction although I am no stranger to Commercial and other types of Construction.

4.  Do you offer to do repairs or improvements based on the Inspection?

As per ASHI standards and Florida Statutes, I am advised to refrain from personally conducting any repairs for at least (1) year after the Inspection. I can and do, however, at the Client’s request, recommend the names of several or more Qualified Contractors for each repair item in question.

5.  How long will the Inspection take?

I budget for two to four hours on-site as typical depending on property size and number of Inspection Reports, property features and components involved.

6.  How much will it cost?

The average Home Inspection Cost in FL not including additional Inspection(s) and/or related services can be anywhere between $250.00 - $500.00 or more, dependent upon the square footage, usually calculated as the total square footage under roof, which includes unconditioned spaces like Garages, entryways and porches.

7.  What type of Inspection Report do you provide and how long will it take to receive the report?

My Inspection Reports are typically ready for the Client within 48 hours of the on-site Inspection. Standard practice is for the Report to be sent via Email, as an Attachment, along with Photo Documentation that edifies the Report.

8.  Will I be able to attend the Inspection?

Certainly! This is encouraged. However, the Pricing Schedule above is based on a four (4) Hour block of time, onsite. If the presence of the Owner(s) and/or Agent(s) of Owner(s) delays the Inspector beyond this block of time, extra fees may apply.

9.  Do you maintain membership in a professional Home Inspector Association?

Yes, I am an ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) Certified Inspector and an ASHI Suncoast Chapter Member and also a Registered Professional Inspector with FABI (Florida Association of Building Inspectors).

10.  Do you participate in Continuing Education programs to keep your expertise up to date?

Yes, both Florida State, FABI and ASHI Continuing Education hours completed in excess of annual requirements; and ASHI Suncoast meetings attended monthly.