We get it: You really don’t want a 4-point inspection.
But you know what’s worse? Having to deal with another one because the first inspection turned up problems you could have addressed beforehand.
A little preparation can go a long way. Before you schedule your inspection, take a walk around the property and look for some of the common issues we see come up on older mobile and manufactured homes.
This isn’t a checklist for “passing” your inspection, and fixing these items doesn’t guarantee a particular result. Insurance companies can have different requirements, and an inspector may identify other issues we haven’t covered here.
But if you already know something needs attention, why wait for the inspector to be the one who points it out?
Here are a few areas where we see clients trip up the most:
1. Check the skirting.
Take a look at your skirting before the inspection. Is it missing sections, damaged, loose, or deteriorating?
Skirting can be an easy thing to overlook, particularly on older manufactured homes. Before the inspection, walk around the entire home and look for obvious gaps or damaged sections.
This isn’t a guarantee that repairing your skirting will satisfy an insurer’s requirements. Requirements vary by insurance company and property. But if you already know there’s missing or damaged skirting, it’s worth addressing before the inspection rather than waiting for someone else to point it out.
Besides, good skirting isn’t only about insurance. It can also help keep animals and debris from getting underneath the home.
2. Be realistic about the roof.
Your roof may look great from the ground. That doesn’t necessarily mean an inspector will have the same assessment.
Roof condition is an important part of evaluating an older home, and problems that aren’t obvious from the driveway can become apparent during an inspection.
Before scheduling an inspection, look for obvious issues such as missing or damaged shingles, visible deterioration, damaged flashing, areas where the roof appears to be sagging, or signs of water intrusion inside the home.
If you’re buying an older home, don’t rely solely on the seller’s description that “the roof is fine.” Ask questions about its age, repairs, and history.
Don’t climb onto the roof yourself if it isn’t safe to do so. If you’re concerned about the roof, have an appropriately qualified professional evaluate it.
3. Plumbing — YES, especially gray polybutylene.
Gray plumbing can be a bigger insurance question than many homeowners realize.
Some older homes contain polybutylene plumbing, which is often recognizable by its gray plastic appearance. Its presence does not mean you have an active leak or that your home is automatically uninsurable. However, some insurance companies have restrictions or underwriting concerns involving certain plumbing materials.
If you’re buying an older mobile or manufactured home, ask what type of plumbing it has before assuming the answer.
If you have it, please don’t go wild and crazy and start ripping it out for fun. We love that you want to save money. We also love you enough to say “Hey. Maybe hire a pro for this one.”
4. Check your bushes.
Surprising, right?! But we have seen this one come up. A lot, actually.
Take a walk around the home and look for branches, vines, bushes, or other vegetation touching the structure.
This can be surprisingly easy to overlook. Something that looks harmless from inside the house may be touching the roof, siding, windows, or other parts of the structure outside.
Potted plants can be worth checking, too. If you’ve got a large palm or other plant pressed against the home, move it or trim it back where appropriate.
In other words: if you’ve accidentally created a tropical rainforest against the side of your mobile home, this is a good time to tame it. 😂
5. Decks, steps and railings.
A beautiful deck isn’t necessarily a safe deck. A partially completed deck is almost certainly not a safe deck regardless of how cool it’ll be when it’s done.
Inspectors and insurers are generally more concerned with whether exterior structures appear safe and properly maintained than whether you’ve created the backyard you’ve always envisioned.
Now is a great time to:
- secure decking
- stabilize the structure
- check for appropriate railings
- confirm stairs are in good condition
- secure handrails where appropriate
- repair obvious deterioration
- secure loose boards and unstable supports
If you’re unsure whether a deck or staircase is structurally sound, don’t try to diagnose it from an insurance article. Have it evaluated by an appropriately qualified professional.
6. Take a Look at the Electrical System
Electrical issues aren’t something you should try to diagnose yourself. However, there are a few things you can observe before an inspection.
Look for obvious signs such as damaged outlets or switches, exposed wiring, missing electrical covers, scorch marks, or other visible damage. If something looks questionable, have a qualified electrician evaluate it rather than trying to fix it yourself.
If you’re buying an older home, ask what type of electrical system it has and whether any updates have been made.
7. HVAC / Air Conditioning
Don’t forget the air conditioner. In Florida, we know how important that little box outside the house is. A 4-point inspection can include an evaluation of the heating and cooling system, so it’s worth making sure yours is operating properly before the inspection.
You don’t need to become an HVAC technician overnight. Start with the obvious: Is the system running? Is the outdoor unit in decent condition? Are there visible signs of damage, heavy corrosion, or other problems? Is the system cooling the home normally?
If something doesn’t seem right, have a qualified HVAC professional take a look rather than waiting for the inspection to uncover the problem.
Know the age of your system if you can. If you’re buying an older mobile home, ask the seller when the HVAC system was installed and whether it has been replaced or serviced.
8. Don’t forget the little things.
Some inspection or underwriting requirements can involve safety features such as smoke alarms, depending on the property and insurance company. Make sure existing alarms are present, accessible, and functioning properly.
Requirements can vary, so don’t assume that checking one item off this list guarantees an inspection result or insurance eligibility.
A 4-Point Inspection Isn’t a “Gotcha” Test
A 4-point inspection doesn’t have to be a bad thing.
Nobody wants to hear that something is wrong with their home. But an inspection can also identify problems you may not have noticed yourself—sometimes before they turn into a much bigger repair.
Most homeowners aren’t roofers, electricians, plumbers, or structural experts. It’s completely normal to think your home is in great shape and then discover that an inspector has questions about something you never knew to look for.
The goal isn’t to make your home “pass” an inspection by hiding problems. It’s to understand the condition of the property before the inspection and address obvious issues when appropriate.
And if an inspector does identify something you didn’t expect, don’t panic. An inspection finding doesn’t automatically tell you what an insurance company will ultimately decide. Requirements and underwriting decisions vary by insurer and property.
At the end of the day, we’re happy to help you navigate what’s best for you given the options you have.
Important: A 4-point inspection and an insurance company’s underwriting requirements are not necessarily the same thing. Requirements can vary by insurer, property type, age, condition, and location. This guide is intended to help you spot potential issues before an inspection—not to guarantee an inspection result or insurance eligibility.