Home Inspection Basics

A home inspection is an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a house. These inspections are conducted by professional home inspectors at the request of a buyer or seller. The professional home inspector has expertise in the elements of home construction, systems and components, and provides an impartial, objective, professional third-party opinion on the condition of a property.

During an inspection, the inspector will review the readily accessible exposed portions of the structure of the home, including the roof, attic, walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, basement and foundation, as well as the heating/air conditioning systems, interior plumbing and electrical systems for potential problems. Keep in mind that a home inspection is not intended to point out every small problem or invisible/latent defect in a home. Most minor or cosmetic flaws, for example, should be apparent to the buyer without the aid of a professional.

Typically, a home inspector is contacted immediately after the contract or purchase agreement has been signed. Before you sign, check to see if there is an inspection clause in the sales contract, making your final purchase obligation contingent on the findings of a professional home inspection. This clause should specify the terms and conditions to which both the buyer and seller are obligated.

Home inspections help to minimize unexpected difficulties for potential homebuyers, by providing detailed information about the home they are considering, and identifying the possible need for significant repairs or maintenance. The standard home inspector’s report will cover the condition of the home’s heating system; central air conditioning system (temperature permitting); interior plumbing and electrical systems; the roof, attic and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; the foundation, basement and structural components. The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) publishes a Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics that outlines what you should expect to be covered in your home inspection report.

Please note that a professional home inspection not an appraisal, which determines market value, but is simply an examination of the current condition of a house. It is not a municipal inspection, which verifies local code compliance. A home inspector, therefore, will not "pass" or "fail" a house, but rather describe its physical condition and indicate what components and systems may need major repair or replacement.

If the inspector identifies problems, it doesn't mean you should or shouldn’t buy the house, only that you will know in advance what to expect. If your budget is tight, or if you don’t want to become involved in future repair work, this information will be important to you. If major problems are found, a seller may agree to make repairs.

WHERE DO I FIND A HOME INSPECTOR?

The Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors (LSBHI) goes to great lengths to ensure that all its licensed inspectors are fully-trained and certified, and that they meet our impeccably high standards for professionalism, expertise and reliability. Click here for a list of LSBHI inspectors in your area.

Louisiana's REALTORS are also familiar with reputable home inspection service providers, and should be able to provide you with a list of names from which to choose.

Whatever your referral source, you will want to make sure that the home inspector is:

• LSBHI-licensed and certified, and
• A Member in good standing of either the International Society of Home Inspectors® (ISHI) and/or the American Society of Home Inspectors® (ASHI) to guarantee his or her professional qualifications, experience, and business ethics.

SOURCE: Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors, American Society of Home Inspectors

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