What to Do Before, During and After a Home Inspection

Every home buyer needs to have the new property he is purchasing, inspected. This is an affordable procedure and it is a perfect way for the future homeowner to discover the general condition of the home. It is undoubtedly essential to hire a home inspector in order to avoid quite an expensive mistake by buying a home that needs major repairs. If you are about to buy a new home and the home inspector you just hired is efficient, then, you are in a win-win situation because you will be properly assisted in understanding precisely everything about the property you are about to purchase.

What is a home inspection?

A home inspection is generally defined as a limited, non-invasive assessment of a home or property’s condition, frequently related to the home’s sale. Typically, home inspections are administered by a well-trained home inspector who has obtained certifications to administer the required inspection. Buying a new home is among the biggest investments you can ever make. Hiring a home inspector lets you, as the buyer, receive an impartial, expert opinion in order to help you identify the present condition of the property you are about to buy.

If you are making a home purchase in the U.S., particularly in Lafayette, L.A., it is essential for you to know that an inspection can help you anticipate any prompt condition that needs to be addressed as they can turn into a major problem in the future. And, in connection to this, it is equally important to know that there is one home inspection company in this area that you can rely on and that is Acadiana Home Inspection. This firm will help and teach you how to save money right away and even in the future.

When you hire the Acadania Home Inspection, expect a comprehensive inspection of the company’s experts. The following items are the ones to be inspected in the property you are about to acquire:

• Structure’s interior which includes the closets, walls, ceilings, electrical outlets, kitchen cabinets, exhaust, windows, and counter
• Attic including the ventilation, water penetration, storage, accessibility, framing and insulation
• Basement including the flooring, stairways, foundation materials, water penetration, drainage, area ventilation, and supporting members
• Plumbing which includes the vents, shutoff valves, kitchen and bath features, and the water flow
• Domestic water heater (capacity, safety controls, energy resource, and equipment)
• Heating System including zones, ductwork or piping, equipment, energy source, and safety controls
• Air Conditioning which includes the ductwork, equipment, and zones
• Electrical system including the service entry, grounding, circuits, overload protection rating, grounding, outlets, bonding, branch systems, conductor materials, and fixtures
• Garage/Carport including the safety controls, overhead doors, and the materials for fire protection

How much does a home inspection cost?

For a regular single-family house the inspection fee varies depending on its geographic location. In a similar way, at a given specific area, the cost is also dependent on the number of factors considered like house size, age, the probable optional services needed like the well, radon or septic assessment. The cost though, should not be the deciding factor in whether to avail of the home inspection service or not. Certainly, getting the assurance that the property you’re buying is well secured and free from any damage or just knowing that something needs to be done is worthy enough for the cost. More so, it is important to consider as factors to decide for the home inspection, the training experience, qualification, and the compliance with the regulation, of the home inspector you are about to hire.

How long will a home inspection take?

There is no specific amount of time for Acadiana Home Inspection when it comes to duration of the home inspection service being conducted. However, most assessments typically take about two to four hours, again, depending on the size of the property, and the items being inspected. The home inspector’s preparation of the report is not included in the time computed. Indeed, aside from the size, time varies depending on the property’s current state or condition.

Before the home inspection

Preparation for the home inspection is not complicated at all. It is important that you know what to do prior to the home inspection itself. Be sure that you’re always ready to follow your home inspector around the property. It also helps if you bring a notepad and a pen with you to take down notes. All problems are written in the inspector’s reports although there are a few items for maintenance like the best time for a change in furnace filter for one, which is not included in the said report.

During the home inspection

Your presence is a must during the inspection. Though not necessary at all, Acadania Home Inspection even invites its customers to be there in the property during the assessment, itself.  Your presence allows you for the opportunity of seeing every single detail the inspector is noting, not to mention the chance of asking questions you may have in mind or have written on your own notepad. There may be limited time for your inspector to answer all your questions but you can be sure to get all the answers you need through the detailed report the home inspector is preparing following his inspection.

Ask questions during the inspection

If you are the one who requested for the home inspection, be sure to concentrate on the processes done. Don’t be just physically present. Be there in body, mind, and heart. In other words, engage yourself in the present activity which is the home inspection. And above all, carefully observe, then, ask all the questions you have in mind when needed. Here are the questions you can ask:

How bad is it?

Once the home inspector has identified the problems for fixing and informs you about them, ask how bad it is right away. Find out the degree or level of danger the property currently has. Ask if you can fix the problem alone and if it can be delayed at a later time. It is important to know how bad the situation is and how urgent the fixing is needed.

What should we do with that?

If it is your first time to deal with a home inspector, you should know that asking question is the key to the problems’ solutions. It is by asking that you are able to test and gauge your hired inspector’s ability, and his expertise, in what he does. Additionally, asking questions enable you to measure your judgment on his worthiness of your trust and loyalty.

What would you fix?

Never hesitate to ask your hired home inspector all the things you want and need to know about the home you are buying. It is actually his job to inform and even show you all the problems he listed in his report. It is surely important that you know what needs to be fixed right away; what needs for maintenance, and what you should replace. Finally, ask your hired inspector to walk you through, so you can be guided accordingly.

Can you show me how (x) works?

Keep in mind always that such a service just like what Acadiana Home Inspection offers does not exactly mean having been able to record everything inside the property is fixed. Nevertheless, it may mean guidance, too, in everything including the how-tos of operating the systems and equipment within the property. You can guarantee that this home inspection firm can teach you all the procedures from the simplest to the most complicated ones like the step-by-step procedures of operating the stove, emergency shutoffs, thermostat, and dishwasher, among others.

How much time is left in (x)?

The home inspector is the only one who can tell how much time is left for everything to get fixed. Typically, he gets his answer as for the time left, from the findings in his report. The moment he delivers the report to you, you’ll find out all about the problems. Therefore, the time still depends on the degree of damage or problem traced inside the property.

After the inspection

Once the home inspection is done, it is your turn to take the next step. Whether moving forward to the repair and fixing, delay for later, or not push through with the purchase anymore. It is still up to you as the or home buyer whether to carry on with the repair or not. Just remember, Acadiana Home Inspection has so much to offer.