You've got an accepted offer and your home inspection is on the calendar — now what? A little preparation makes the day go smoothly and helps you walk away with a report you truly understand. Most of the prep is simple, and much of it is about making sure your inspector can actually reach everything. For a full picture of what the day looks like start to finish, see our home inspection process page. Acadiana Home Inspectors has walked Lafayette-area buyers through inspection day since 1995, and this checklist covers what to do before, during, and after.
What Should I Do Before My Home Inspection in Lafayette?
The biggest thing you can do ahead of time is make sure the home is ready to be inspected. For a buyer, that usually means coordinating with your agent and the seller so the property is accessible and all utilities are on. An inspector can't evaluate an HVAC system that has no power or a water heater with the gas shut off, and a return trip costs everyone time.
It also helps to review your contract's inspection period so you know your deadline. Scheduling early in that window gives you time to read the report, ask questions, and negotiate if needed — rather than scrambling at the last minute. If you haven't booked yet, you can schedule online or call us to find a slot that fits your timeline.
Should the Utilities Be On for the Inspection?
Yes — this is the single most important prep item. The electricity, gas, and water all need to be on so the inspector can test the systems that depend on them: the HVAC, water heater, stove, outlets, and plumbing fixtures. In a vacant or bank-owned home, utilities are often off, so confirm with your agent that they'll be turned on before inspection day.
If a utility can't be turned on, we'll still inspect everything else and clearly note in your report what couldn't be evaluated — but a complete inspection is always better than a partial one. A quick confirmation call the day before saves a lot of hassle.
This matters even more in Acadiana's summer heat. If the home's air conditioning hasn't been running, the inspector can still start it, but the system needs time to reach operating temperature to be fully evaluated. Having the power on and the thermostat accessible well before the appointment lets us test it properly rather than leaving a question mark on your report.
Do I Need to Clear Access to the Attic, Electrical Panel, and Water Heater?
Access matters more than most buyers realize. Inspectors evaluate what is visible and accessible, so anything blocked can't be fully inspected. The attic hatch, the electrical panel, the water heater, the HVAC equipment, and the space under sinks are the common trouble spots — if boxes, storage, or a parked car are in the way, those areas may get limited.
As a buyer you usually don't control the home's contents, but your agent can ask the seller to keep these areas clear for the appointment. In the home's current condition, we document anything we couldn't reach so you know exactly what was and wasn't evaluated.
Should I Attend My Home Inspection?
Yes — we strongly encourage it. Walking the home with your inspector is the single best way to understand the findings. Reading that a water heater is nearing the end of its life is one thing; standing next to it while your inspector explains why is another. You'll finish the day understanding not just what was found, but what it means and what's urgent.
Plan to be there for at least the end-of-inspection walkthrough, when we review the major findings and answer your questions face to face. Many buyers find this conversation the most valuable part of the whole process.
If your schedule simply won't allow the full visit, make the walkthrough the part you prioritize. Even thirty minutes at the end, with the inspector pointing out what matters most, will leave you far better informed than reading the report cold that evening. Let us know in advance and we'll make sure the timing works.
What Should I Bring to the Inspection?
Not much — just yourself, comfortable shoes, and your questions. You'll be walking the property alongside your inspector, sometimes outside and over uneven ground, so dress for it. A notepad or your phone is handy if you like to jot things down, though your detailed home inspection report will document everything with photos.
If you have specific concerns — a musty smell, a past insurance claim on the home, or something you noticed during a showing — bring them up at the start. We'll make sure those areas get a close look. For the full list of what's covered, our home inspection checklist is a useful reference.
What Happens After the Home Inspection?
You'll receive a detailed, full-color home inspection report organized by significance, so you can quickly tell a safety concern from routine maintenance. Take time to read it carefully, and don't hesitate to call us if a finding isn't clear — we're always happy to explain what something means for the home.
From there, the report becomes your tool. You can use it to request repairs, ask for a credit, or simply plan your maintenance going forward. If you'd like to understand the service itself in more detail, see our buyer home inspection page.
Here Is Why You Can Trust Us
Every inspection is performed personally by Keith Blanchard (LHI #10752) or Andy Stanford (LHI #10916), Louisiana-licensed home inspectors with Acadiana Home Inspectors, serving Acadiana since 1995. We don't rush, we work only for the buyer, and every buyer inspection ends with a detailed full-color home inspection report and a Six-Month Inspection Warranty.