About our firm

A Building and Home

Inspection Service

By

Larry Cerro

 

"When Quality and Experience Make a Difference!"

 

A Premier Technical Organization Serving the Inspection Needs of…

HOME BUYERS, SELLERS, & OWNERS
REAL ESTATE INVESTORS
ATTORNEYS

REAL ESTATE BROKERS
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
INSURANCE COMPANIES
APPRAISERS

We provide an unbiased, educationally oriented inspection of from 3-8 hours. It is delivered on site in our 300-page Home Book format, or as a comprehensive narrative report, which is generally completed within 48 hours.  We encourage client participation and welcome all questions.



SERVING

THE BUYER

Change the way you look at a home forever.  Protect your future and probably most important investment.  Feel confident that you fully understand the condition and operation of the property.  Learn facts on sight along with remedial and preventive maintenance suggestions.  By accompanying the inspector, you will receive a complete education in what to look for when home buying.


THE SELLER


Analyze the big picture and discover how to successfully market your property and gain the competitive edge.  Distinguish the amenities and improvements of your home from other listings.  Your willingness to have your home inspected can convince the most skeptical buyer.  Help that buyer feel secure in understanding the value of your home and justify the purchase price.  Avoid those last minute deal killers.  Most importantly, build your credibility by providing full disclosure.


THE HOMEOWNER

Your most important investment is probably your home.  Understand its operation more completely than ever and make sure you are maintaining it properly.  Identify potential problems before they become major ones; you can often cut the cost of repairs by making them before serious damage occurs.  Discover hidden elements in your home that might be potentially hazardous to your family's health.


THE ATTORNEY

Expedite your real estate cases and, in your fiduciary relationship, protect your client to the greatest possible extent.  You are more assured of full disclosure through an inspection.  In the event that a case is scheduled for litigation, our company provides consultation and expert witness service. 


THE REALTOR

A reputation takes a lifetime to build and a day to destroy.  Protect yours by reinforcing the trust your client's place in you.  Our goal is to protect all parties concerned and to make them feel more secure when a house is purchased or sold.  Establish your credibility, and build life-long client relationships by providing the fullest disclosure possible.


THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION

Preclude unforeseen repairs that might arise after the sale of a house by evaluating the condition of the property.  The financial institution can lend with confidence, avoiding embarrassing or costly situations where the buyer's budget cannot accommodate mortgage payments plus repairs and maintenance costs.


THE INVESTOR

You want to know what you're getting for your money.  Become aware of potential problems and liabilities.  As landlord, it would be wise to have the condition of the investment evaluated regularly to detect minor problems before they become a major expense.

THE INSURANCE COMPANY

By obtaining an impartial third party forensic analysis when investigating claims, all parties feel more comfortable with the process.


THE APPRAISER

The new HUD guidelines require that you identify those items that could affect the value of the property through adverse conditions.  Don't base these evaluations upon a five-minute walk-through.  Protect the lender and borrower by insisting upon a detailed, multi-hour inspection as part of the purchase process.


ABOUT
LARRY CERRO


Larry has been performing building inspections in Tallahassee since 1978.  Larry’s extensive inspection experience enhances his credibility in providing expert witness testimony for construction defect disputes and real estate transaction disputes involving disclosure issues.  He is also called upon in matters regarding standards of care and practice concerning home inspections. 

Larry is often consulted by TV and newspaper reporters producing articles on home inspection and has been featured in articles by the Tallahassee Democrat and Tallahassee Magazine.  He is a contributor to the "State Capital News" and the Florida Heritage Foundation publication "News and Views".  He has appeared several times on the PBS television show "Accent" where he has been featured on a series about home inspections.  Mr. Cerro regularly serves on panel discussions presented by various real estate related organizations and is a regular speaker at real estate offices, real estate related boards, university courses, and educational seminars within the industry.


LARRY'S QUALIFICATIONS

  • State Registered Residential Building Contractor
  • State Registered Mechanical Contractor
  • State Registered Air Conditioning Contractor
  • State Registered Roofing Contractor
  • State Certified Home Inspector
  • State Certified Building Inspector
  • State Certified Residential Combination Inspector
  • State Certified Energy Auditor
  • State Certified Radon Measurement Technician
  • State Certified Radon Mitigation Specialist
  • Member - ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors)
    -------------Florida Chapter President 4 years
    -------------National Director 8 years.
  • Member - FABI (Florida Association of Building Inspectors) Director 3 years
  • Certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a County Court Mediator
  • 40 years construction industry experience
  • Over 30 years experience in the Home Inspection Industry


OUR INSPECTIONS INCLUDE…

Exterior Drainage
Roof, Flashing, Chimney and Fireplace
Exterior Walls, Siding, Masonry
Foundation
Windows, Doors, and Screens
Electrical
Plumbing
Heating
Air Conditioning
Crawl Space
Attic
Stairs
Floors, Walls, Ceilings
Insulation
Moisture and Leaks
Garage and Drive
Ventilation
Bathrooms
Decks
Gutters and Downspouts
Painting

Also available…
Wind Mitigation Inspections
Four Points Inspections
Pools & Spas
Sprinklers
Litigation Consultation
New Construction
One Year Warranty Inspections
Outbuildings
Radon
Environmental
Synthetic Stucco
LP siding
Sick Building Investigations
Lead Testing
Energy Audits
Well Water


Choose between our HomePro Inspection format which includes our 300 page HOMEBOOK customized to each individual inspection, or a comprehensive, narrative report covering all systems that make up a building. Both systems are more than a checklist, which we feel is not complete enough, omitting explanations of the evaluations and recommendations.  Our initial field sheets contain over 600 areas of inspection, which we then compile into a written report.  Our reports evaluate materials and systems, often estimating their useful remaining lives and recommending a maintenance schedule for them on a priority basis, and often providing energy tips and code related information.  The reports highlight the good features as well as those needing attention.