CONTRACTORS OPINION
A common source of dissatisfaction with home inspectors comes from comments made by contractors. Contractors opinions often differ from ours. Don’t be surprised when they have a financial interest to provide you a more expensive service than needed for their financial gain (usually contractors trying to get work saying the inspector should have caught that). It’s important to note that a home inspection has limitations. Inspectors cannot see inside walls or predict future issues. They assess what’s visible and accessible at the time of the inspection. We encourage you to get several quotes for repairs, feel free to contact us for referrals if needed.
Limited Warranty Explained:
Vital Home Inspections secures warranty protection for you through Residential Warranty Services (a 3rd-Party Company)
When you used Vital Home Inspections for your inspection you are automatically eligible for a Limited 125 Day Home Warranty, 125 Day Mold Warranty, 125 Day Sewer Line Warranty, and Five-Year Roof Leak Warranty. These warranties are free to you to protect you against surprises that show up when you take possession of your new home – that were not evident at the time of inspection and included in your Inspection Report.
The 125 day warranty – covers specific mechanical and structural items that occur after your full home inspection. The warranty is valid 125 days from the inspection or 22 days from closing, whichever comes later. To make a claim the home buyer would get a repair estimate from a licensed contractor that has the cause of failure stated as well as parts and labor broken down and submit the claim online here.
125 Day Mold Warranty – covers New visible mold, Not hidden mold. During the course of your home inspection and in your home inspection report, if there were no visible mold or moisture issues reported, this agreement covers the remediation (removal) of visible mold on surfaces permanently installed in the subject property. To make a claim the home buyer would get a repair estimate from a licensed contractor that has the cause of failure stated as well as parts and labor broken down and submit the claim online here.
Sewer|Gard Warranty – Covers Sewer & Water line leaks, from the house  to the municipal connection. Warranty extends to 12 months with a paid Sewer Camera Inspection (if issues were not found). To make a claim the home buyer would get a repair estimate from a licensed contractor that has the cause of failure stated as well as parts and labor broken down and submit the claim online here.
Platinum Roof Protection Plan – covers roof leaks that arise following your full home inspection, if it was not leaking the day of inspection and if deficiencies were Not noted in your Inspection Report. Platinum Roof Protection Plan is valid for 5 years from the date of the full home inspection. To make a claim the home buyer would get a repair estimate from a licensed contractor that has the cause of failure stated as well as parts and labor broken down and submit the claim online here.
Here’s How We Process all the claims:
- You have 125 days (4 months and 5 days) limited warranty, from the date of home inspection, to submit your claim. Unless you purchased Our 18 Month Warranty Offer.
- Submit your claim by following this link
- You must be able to provide summary for all deficiencies. The documentation should also have photographs of all deficiencies.
- All the necessary documentation should be received within 30 days of the submission of the claim.
- We have a policy of processing the claims only when we’ve received all the necessary information from the client.
- Vital Home Inspections reserves the right to investigate all claims under this warranty, which may include a visit to the site to investigate claim, collect data and or bring professionals.
- It is our company policy that all claims be handled using our Technical Support system. If you call the office you will be instructed to go through the Technical Support form and start a dialog. No communication will occur until the online form is completed.
Excluded Items:
The limited Warranties does Not cover the following:
- Commercial properties; multi-family dwellings (over 4 units), Common Area and any dwelling unit systems or components located in common areas;
- Deficiencies related to items, systems and components that were excluded from the home inspection, noted in the inspection report, inspection disclaimers or the inspection agreement, including any system, component or condition that is outside of the State of Florida standards of practice.
- Any item, system or component that was not readily available or not accessible to be inspected by the inspector; (for example, because the item, system or component needed to be operating in order to be inspected and it was shut down or otherwise inoperable at the time of the inspection, or because connecting piping, wiring and/or components were not readily accessible and visible at the time of the inspection);
- Any systems, areas, equipment or components of systems where the Inspector marked the area as having limited access or limited visibility of said system, equipment or component (example 1: tile roofs, second story roofs, high roof areas, wet roofs may receive a limited to no view at all of these areas and must be further evaluated by a licensed roofer for full disclosure) (example 2: internal areas of heaters, water heaters, gas thermocouple devices, gas leaks of any kind in any location, any and all supply valves, etc. are not viewed or tested during the inspection) claims deficiencies in these areas will be denied if there is no proof of further evaluation after the home inspection and prior to release of inspection contingencies.
- Any defects or deficiencies found behind the finished wall/ceiling/floor materials that was not readily visible during the inspection. Shower pan leaks, internal wall/ceiling/floor/slab leaks are not covered. Wiring or wire connections concealed within walls, floors, ceilings or otherwise hidden by items such as insulation, etc. are not covered.
- Any system or component installed or method utilized to control or remove suspected hazardous substances; Public or private waste disposal systems; Stoppage of water regardless of the reason;
- Any consequential or incidental damages; water damage and drywall replacement is NOT covered in any way, shape or form. This includes any mold growth or the discovery of mold within walls, behind baseboards, etc.;
- Any deficiencies that is presented for coverage because it relates to a system or component that is not in compliance with codes, regulations, ordinances and/or manufacturer installation specifications; simply and clearly stated; The inspector does not inspect items for building code compliance, municipal codes/requirements and does not verify installation to manufacturer specifications.
- Any claims that do not meet the deadlines for claims processing described above;
- Any additional services such radon tests, mold tests, or any other service provided by the inspector in addition to the home inspection (or any fees for such services).
- Anything caused by natural acts or disasters such as (but not limited to): floods, excessive or abnormal rain/hail/tornados, excessive or abnormal wind, hurricanes, sinkholes, etc.
- Anything related to Asbestos, Lead based paint, wood destroying organisms (including, hidden mildew, mold, growth, and poria, etc.), pests/animals. Mold growth in ventilated spaces (ie. Attics and/or foundation crawl spaces) is not covered.
- Anything caused by recalled equipment or materials affected by any class action lawsuit.
- Any repairs performed without first making a claim
- Systems or components noted in the inspection report as in need of service or nearing the end of expected service life
- All other mechanical items more than 10 years old as they are past their expected service life
- Maximum claim payout under 125 Day warranty is $500
- Maximum claim payout under Platinum Roof Protection Plan is $500 deductible per Leak area that was not reported as deficient and a maximum of $3000 coverage
- For More information on the Warranty Policies visit our Warranty Page Here
Please fill out the our online form for any questions or issues that may arise after your home inspection.
Please allow 3 – 5 business days for a response. While awaiting a response please do not engage with a contractor to remedy the issue. Doing such may violate the terms of your limited warranty.