Inspections
INSPECTIONS
At some point during or after your application is reviewed for eligibility and other disaster recovery funds received, you will be contacted by program inspectors to schedule inspections of your damaged property. These inspections will be used to confirm there are no construction risks, verify damage received, and determine the estimated cost of remaining repairs. Additionally, all homes are required to receive an asbestos building survey, and homes constructed before 1978 are required to complete a lead-based paint assessment. Without completed inspections, the program is unable to calculate your award, and you are unable to move forward in the program.
DAMAGE INSPECTION
During the damage inspection, a program representative will perform a detailed inspection of the interior and exterior of your home to determine what work remains, as well as what repairs have already been completed. All previously completed repairs will be documented in the Damage Repair Verification (DRV). As part of the damage inspection, the inspector will determine whether an additional structural inspection is needed. For properties located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), the inspector will also assess the elevation of the property and whether your home is elevated. The damage inspector will also create an itemized report of all remaining repair items, called the Estimated Cost of Repairs (ECR). The ECR is based on economy/standard-grade materials. Both the DRV and the ECR will be provided to you at the time of your award determination.
LEAD-BASED PAINT ASSESSMENT
All homes constructed before 1978 are federally required to receive a lead-based paint risk assessment. If your home was built before 1978, the program’s lead-based paint inspector will test your paint, take samples of the soil outside, and sample the dust on floors and windowsills inside. The assessor will need to inspect both the interior and exterior of the home.
ASBESTOS BUILDING SURVEY
All homes must receive an asbestos building survey, which is required by federal law to ensure that damaged properties are free of hazardous, asbestos-containing materials that could affect the health of the people who occupy your home. During the asbestos building survey, the program’s asbestos inspector will inspect your property and take samples to determine whether hazardous materials are present, as well as determine any needs for their disposal.
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