I recently used this company to complete 2 inspections. I have found that they are reliable and priced competitively. Jonathan preformed my inspections and did a great job! I will definitely recommend them bassed off my experience. Bonnie in the office is amazing if you have questions or need help with something she will get it done. Thanks First Defense Home inspections. read more

Obvious mistakes by the builder that should've been caught by the inspector and missed. I would not recommend this company for an initial walk-through inspection on a new build construction home. Our money would've been better spent with another company. read more

1st Defense Home Inspections - Vent wasn't hooked up. Missed by the inspector - Home Inspectors Near Me

We were purchasing a home 6.5 hours away from our current residence back in October 2021. I was trusting that my $500.00 home inspection would identify any items we should be aware of. We had 1st defense inspect our home prior to us moving in as their ratings were good and seemed like a reputable company. Once we moved in, I started noticing all kinds of items that were missed and not identified on the inspection report. No GCFI outlets near water in the kitchen, Foundation on the exterior walls needing attention, missing gutters on house, cracked drywall on ceilings, missing trim on the outside of the house, other trim pieces coming off of the house, gaps above all windows and doors due to know sealant/caulk/silicon on any of them, visible water damage on walls and the most recent item has to do with the A/C unit. The inspector notated the AC was in good working order but could use an HVAC inspection. No mention of the fact that the previous homeowners took a lid off of a storage container and lined it with towels to catch the water(Storage lid was still up there until I just found it) which caused new water damage throughout the bathroom ceiling and walls. After inspecting the A/C unit, it is filled with black mold that we have been breathing for 6 months now. If I could give 0 starts, I definitely would. Absolutely would not use this company for anything. read more

You know how some inspectors work for the deal and some work for the buyer? As this inspection company came recommended by our REALTOR, and based on the outcome, I would say they tend to favor saving the sale over making sure you know what you are buying. Our inspector missed soooo many things that they gave us a refund. We've literally paid thousands to repair things they missed. As we got a refund, I was going to let it go, but a year later we got hit with an $800 fine as our sprinkler heads were painted, something else the inspector missed. What else did he miss? 1. Mold or mildew in bathrooms 2. AC unit was not functioning properly. 3. Issues with the bathtub. 4. The door lock to the back door was installed upside down. 5. Master shower leaked 6. Doors off tracks 7. Holes in window screens 8. All drains stoppers missing from EVERY single sink 9. Faucets loose in master bath 10. Hole on the front door near locking mechanism 11. Mold or mildew in fridge 12. Fan on patio not operational and missing light cover Etc. but that's all I can remember after a year. As we bought the house sight unseen, we really relied on professionals to be our eyes and ears. Lesson learned. read more

I am in the military and trusted my real estate agent and inspection team to actually inspect things while I was preparing to move halfway across the country. They missed a large peeling paint on the ceiling and I had them came back out on the day of closing to look at it. On the day I moved in, the kitchen sink didn't run water and I didn't have hot water throughout the rest of the house. I would not use this company ever again! read more

Scott from 1st defense did my inspection on my townhome almost a year ago for a purchase I was making sight unseen. His professional service, great communication and attention to detail put me at ease and I couldn't be happier with my new home. Scott also worked with my realtor to get my supposedly "new" AC unit replaced by the seller. That saved me a huge headache​and about $5000! I wouldn't hesitate to use 1st defense again and have recently recommended them to relatives looking​ to purchase a vacation home in Santa Rosa Beach. There are always going to people who aren't happy with their service, purchase, food, whatever it is. I was surprised to see any unfavorable reviews on this business and wanted to post my experience with 1st Defense in their defense. read more

The owner, Scott, did our inspection. Not the best I've seen as he missed a few things. Examples, one of the bedroom doors hinges was not attached (holes stripped), a deck railing beam was not attached (poor screw placement during build so they ripped through), there was no silicon sealant between the kitchen sink top and the counter so water can overflow where it's not supposed to. I'm not a fan of home inspections other than it gives you an "official report" to convince a seller to make certain repairs. If you aren't aware, home inspections are simply visual inspections to see if things work properly, are properly fitted, piped, what have you - they don't go in depth or "dig" (i.e. if you have ivy covering half the house, the brick can be falling apart underneath and it likely won't be discovered). read more

Never ever use these guys if you are buying the property. Inspectors just incompetent, rude and missing a lot of major things, that will cost you thousands to repair. read more

Home inspection performed by Scott Stutler. Used an ink pen to mark paint or other cosmetic issues all over the walls of the house . This home is over $2M and is less than 1 year old . Standard procedure is to use tape . Made comments on the report that were incorrect when a license electrician evaluated . Also moved washer and dryer for no reason , and not replaced correctly. Completely careless and incompetent , should not be used . read more

Failed to notice a faulty oven. Repair costs ended up being $579.11. They had their warranty insurance company pay their max of $500. 1st Defense refused to compensate for the remaining $79.11 or refund any of my inspection cost. If they refuse to account for their mistakes, why should you do business with them? read more

My realtor recommended this guy. He came out and evidentially rushed through the inspection or just had no clue what he was doing. He missed multiple things and when I tried contacting him about it, first he would not speak with me on the phone and his receptionist told me I would have to file a claim on the items he missed. I went through that process and was denied on all claims. How can u be denied when he missed electrical issues and plumbing issues? If that was not bad enough 6 mo later I am selling the property he inspected and thru the buyers inspection there are multiple things popping up that I know are older than 6 mo. This guy is a fraud and I would not recommend anyone to use him. Scott is the owner of this company and does not stand behind his work! Unfortunately he got his money but it cost me dearly. read more

I wish I was aware of the pitfalls of dealing with Scott Stutler three years ago. As a result, it cost me about $50,000.00 and serious damage to my neck and left shoulder. Since then, I have been treated by seven medical specialists with an impending second surgery on my neck. A contract with Mr. Stutler gives the home buyer almost no protection. In my case, he was only liable for returning the $350.00 I paid him. The Florida Attorney's Office, and the licensing board, basically said, "case closed" without giving me a reason for the cover-up to my complaint of ethics abuse and gross negligence. I always try to find the good in a bad situation. It has become my experience that home inspector contracts, and licensure, are very seriously flawed! Because of Mr. Stutler, I found the good in all this mess. My higher purpose is to advocate for the victims, and potential victims, of home inspector abuse. That will include telling my story to the Florida State Legislature and the media. Never sign a contract that gives you bogus protection. The protection is heavily stacked in favor of the home inspector. I advise hiring a contractor. Please contact me before you sign any contract. Just leave a message for Pete @ 239-398-6516. My help is free. It's my way to heal from this scam. read more

Danger Danger!!! When he could not find a light switch to turn on the lights he said "they did not work". When he could not figure out how to make all the zones for the sprinklers turn on he said " they don't work". When he could not find the switch for the fountain he said "it doesn't work". Do NOT trust this company!!!!! He obviously does not know how to ask... where is the switch to turn this on!!! read more

I would not recommend this firm. Jon didn't seem interested in performing the inspection. He was in such a hurry to leave that he packed up his ladder without checking the roof. I had to remind him to check the roof because a piece of the roof vent and some shingles were found scattered in the yard. The report had tiny, poorly visible pictures. It was missing several items discussed during the inspection and seemed rushed. Use a different inspector! 1st defense is overrated on Facebook. Please remember that their friends and family can rate them on Facebook without using their services. read more

I would not recommend this Inspection Company. There were items missed in the inspection done on my new home. My realtor called them and set up the appointment without my knowledge and I would not have chosen them. I felt like I wasn't able to shop around so I was left with them to inspect. Items missed (may/maynot include all) Dishwasher not run full cycle, cracks in floor, cracks in mirrors, patches in walls that were not identified in the inspection. read more

I have purchased several home properties over the years, and this inspection by far was the least thorough of them all. Below is my email to the company and the response: From: Gary n Peggy Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2017 9:14 AM To: 1st Defense Home Inspections Subject: Re: Your Inspection Report (4 Miracle Strip Pkwy SW, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548)   Thank you for the report.  I am a little disappointed in the language used in the report to address the AC compressor.  Although it indicates the age of 20 years and weathered, the inspector mentioned that since it looked so bad from the ground it wasn't even worth getting on the roof to look at it.  I believe he felt it was more than weathered, but poor from how it looked from the ground.  Getting on the roof to look at it would have been more beneficial to me as the buyer.  Also, noting the AC compressor condition as N/A doesn't seem very beneficial either.  There are some other minor issues, that on previous homes I have purchased, I have seen inspectors make note of, but probably not that important.   Hopefully the VA appraiser gets on the roof.   Thank you. Gary Gilmore    RE: Your Inspection Report (4 Miracle Strip Pkwy SW, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548) 1st Defense Home Inspections 1stdefenseinspections@cox.net Reply Today, 12:21 PM You Hi Gary,   I spoke with Matt regarding the AC compressor.  He said that there was no safe way to get on the roof.  There was no fixed external or internal access to the roof, and that his ladder did not reach the roof.  Therefore, the unit was marked N/A because the inspector was not able to actually inspect it.    The safety of our inspectors comes first and foremost.  The industry wide accepted protocols for inspecting roofs, does not require us to get on the roof(although we do when we can safely do so).   Sincerely,   Sheryl Stutler 1st Defense Home Inspections I did not reply to the email, because I did not respond to the email response. I'll let my reviews and word of mouth to others suffice. They have good reviews on their FB page and website, but not sure why I didn't receive the service these folks did. Just one of those things, like getting a bad meal at a restaurant that gets good reviews-it happens. :_) read more

They missed things that were easily visible. Overall a bad experience. They were late getting me the report and left out parts.

Scott and his team has gone above and beyond with their customer service to help ensure any issues that I found after the inspection with our recently purchased home were looked at within 24 hours and they helped this navy wife and mother of two feel secure in our home while my husband is deployed. I would highly suggest using this company for your home inspection needs! read more