A 4 point inspection is a focused look at the four systems your insurance company cares about most — roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. In Florida, it's what most carriers require before they'll write or renew a policy on an older home. It isn't a full home inspection; it's the specific report an insurer uses to decide whether your home is insurable, and without it many carriers simply won't quote the policy.
What the four points cover
Each "point" is a system that gets expensive — and risky — as it ages. Here's what we document, and what tends to fail:
- Roof — the covering type, its condition, and how much life is left. Insurers care most about age; many won't write a policy on a roof with only a few years left. As a licensed Roofer, Patriot reads this part closely.
- Electrical — the panel, the wiring type, and any hazards. Outdated panels and certain wiring (aluminum branch wiring, for example) are common reasons a home gets flagged.
- Plumbing — supply and drain materials, the water heater, and any visible leaks. Polybutylene and aging galvanized pipe are frequent red flags, and cast iron drains in older homes fail from the inside out.
- HVAC — the age and condition of the heating and cooling system. An old or non-functioning system can hold up coverage.
Every point is documented with photos so the report stands up with your insurance company.
Why insurers require a 4 point inspection
Florida carriers use the 4 point to gauge the risk of a claim before they take it on. Older systems fail more often, so once a home reaches a certain age the carrier wants proof the four big-ticket systems are in serviceable shape. The threshold is usually around 30 years, though some carriers ask for one at 25 or 40 — it depends on the company. If you're buying, insuring, or renewing on an older Southwest Florida home, expect to need one.
A 4 point inspection is not a home inspection
This trips up a lot of buyers. A full home inspection looks at the whole house for your benefit as the buyer. A 4 point looks at just four systems for your insurer's benefit. If you're buying an older home, you often need both — and we can do them on the same visit so you're not paying two trip fees or scheduling twice.
The roof is one of the four points
Of the four systems, the roof is the one that most often decides whether a policy gets written — and it's where having a licensed Roofer matters. Patriot walks the roof whenever it's safe, which is a more complete look than drone footage, and uses a drone free when it isn't. A 4 point also pairs naturally with a wind mitigation inspection: the 4 point keeps you insurable, and the wind mitigation report can lower what you pay. Done together on one visit, they cover both sides of your Florida insurance.
Book a 4 point inspection with the roof read by a licensed Roofer — and bundle wind mitigation or a full home inspection on the same visit. Same or next-day in most cases.
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4 point inspection FAQ
How much does a 4 point inspection cost in Florida?
A 4 point inspection in Florida generally runs in the range of $75 to $150 on its own, and costs less when bundled with a wind mitigation or full home inspection on the same visit. Call for a quote on your specific address.
What is a 4 point inspection?
It's an insurance inspection of four systems — roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC — that a Florida carrier uses to decide whether to write or renew coverage on an older home. It documents the age and condition of each, with photos.
What fails a 4 point inspection?
The usual culprits are an end-of-life roof, outdated electrical panels or aluminum branch wiring, polybutylene or aging galvanized plumbing, and an old or non-functioning HVAC system. A "failed" item doesn't always kill a policy, but it tells you what an insurer will want addressed.
How old does a home have to be to need a 4 point?
Usually around 30 years, though some carriers require one at 25 or 40. The exact age depends on the insurer. If you're unsure, your agent or carrier can tell you their threshold.
How long does a 4 point inspection take?
It's faster than a full home inspection — often under an hour, since it's focused on just the four systems. If we're doing it alongside a home inspection or wind mitigation, it's folded into the same visit.