What a 4-point inspection actually covers
4-point inspections evaluate four specific systems for insurance underwriting purposes:
- Roof — material, age, condition, life expectancy
- Electrical — service, panel, wiring type, outlets
- Plumbing — supply lines, drain lines, water heater, fixtures
- HVAC — heating system, cooling system, age, condition
Most insurers require 4-points on homes 25+ years old at policy inception or renewal. The report is shorter and more focused than a general home inspection — typically 3-8 pages — and the underwriter, not the homeowner, is the real audience.
The market — Florida and beyond
4-points originated as a Florida insurance requirement and remain most concentrated there. But the market is expanding:
- Florida — universal in older homes; the original market.
- Coastal Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana — expanding as insurers tighten and replicate Florida-style underwriting.
- Coastal Texas — increasing requirements after recent hurricane seasons.
- California — different name (4-point isn't the standard term) but similar inspection scope for wildfire-zone insurance.
For inspectors in any of these markets, 4-points can become 30-50% of total volume. Marketing them as a distinct service line — not a buried add-on — captures search demand the general inspection page won't.
Marketing 4-point inspections
The channels that work for 4-points are different from buyer-side inspections:
- Local search and GBP — homeowners searching "4 point inspection [city]" convert at high rates. Make sure your GBP services list explicitly includes "4-Point Inspection."
- Insurance agent referrals — independent insurance agents handle dozens of policies a month and can recommend their go-to inspector. High-leverage relationship.
- Dedicated /4-point-inspection/ page on your website — answers the homeowner's actual questions: how much, how long, can I get same-day, what do I need to provide.
- Same-day or next-day scheduling — homeowners often need 4-points fast for insurance deadlines. Inspectors who can fit them in same-day win.
- Bundled with wind mitigation — 4-point + wind mit at a combined price is the standard for many Florida homeowners.
Pricing 4-point inspections
Typical pricing structures:
- Standalone 4-point — $75-$150 in most markets.
- 4-point + wind mitigation bundle — $150-$250.
- 4-point added to a general inspection — $50-$100 add-on (when general buyer inspection is happening anyway).
- Reinspection (after repairs) — $50-$100. Common for failed-insurance scenarios where homeowners do repairs and need re-verification.
Don't race to the bottom on 4-point pricing. The work is real — roof access, panel inspection, system age verification — and inspectors who price too low end up running a high-volume, low-margin operation that's hard to scale.
Operational best practices
4-points are operationally different from general inspections:
- Faster on-site — typically 30-45 min vs 2-3 hours for a general inspection.
- Templated reports — most inspection software has 4-point templates; use them. Don't reinvent.
- Same-day delivery is standard — homeowners need it for insurance deadlines. Inspectors who deliver in 24 hours lose work to those who deliver in 4 hours.
- Insurance carrier preferences — some carriers have preferred forms or specific data points. Track which carriers you see and adapt the template.
- Photo documentation is critical — underwriters want photos of every system and condition. More photos beats fewer.