Top 3 Home Inspectors in Lafayette, LA
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Frequently asked questions about home inspectors
Buying a home is the biggest purchase you’ll make in your lifetime. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or looking to buy your next place, there are many benefits of hiring a professional home inspector.
Walking through a home, you may notice a few things you want to fix or rooms you want to paint. The home inspector will assess important HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. Inspectors notice structural or insulation problems that you and your real estate agent probably missed. The inspector outlines all their findings in a report and walks you through the property to explain major issues.
If you decide to go through with the purchase, the home inspection report offers a roadmap for repairs you may need. The inspection report is also great leverage for contract negotiations with the seller. If there’s a major repair on the report, you can ask the seller to cover it or come down on the sale price.
Of course, the main benefit of hiring a home inspector is that they’ll help you avoid buying a home that needs more work than you’re willing to pay. As long as your offer is contingent on the home inspection, you’ll be able to walk away with your down payment and find the property that works best for your family and your budget.
Before you hire a home inspector, make sure they’re certified. Not all home inspectors are members of the American Society of Home Inspectors, so check that yours is. Members of AHSI adhere to a standard of ethics, continue their education, and have access to more resources.
Check to make sure your home inspector is insured. Home inspectors usually carry professional liability (aka errors and omissions) insurance and general liability to cover things like property damage claims.
As part of the home buying process, your local home inspector will have a certain number of days to examine the property. Then, you’ll walk through the house together so the inspector can point out any problems they may have found. In the end, the inspector will give you a report detailing everything you need to know.
When choosing an inspector, ask for previous inspection reports to see how thorough they are. Good reports are thorough and include photos. Reading reviews gives you a better idea of what to expect from the home inspector. If you’re choosing between a full-time inspector and a part-time one, hire the full-time inspector – they’ll have booked more hours and experience.
Of course, if you already have a good rapport with your real estate agent, ask who they would recommend. Real estate agents often deal with home inspectors, so they’ll know the best option for you in your area.
You’ve bought your dream home and noticed some water damage in the basement a month later. You hire a contractor to assess it, and they say this isn’t the first time the basement has seen water damage – the foundation wall is bowing from it. This issue should have been on the inspection report. Is the inspector liable?
They can be. That question is why it’s best to hire an inspector who carries errors and omissions insurance, as well as general liability insurance. The inspector will have to file a claim to cover the repairs, but they will be more likely to cover those costs.
As with any legal action, there’s no guarantee you’ll get your money back. Pursuing legal action against an uninsured home inspector will become an even bigger headache, and they may not have the funds available to cover the repairs you need.
You also have to prove that nothing happened to alter the home's condition after you completed the inspection report. For instance, if there aren’t any issues with the roof at the time of inspection, and you notice leaks a few months after a big storm, the home inspector would not be liable.
The cost of a home inspection depends on a few factors, including the location and size of the property. Generally, you should expect to pay a couple hundred dollars for one home inspection. A few things about local home inspectors could increase that price:
- Experience - When hiring a more experienced home inspector, they tend to charge more.
- Age and condition of the property - Older homes may cost more to inspect.
- Travel time - The inspector may charge for commuting if you buy a country home off the beaten path.
- Additional inspections - Depending on where you buy your home, you may want to invest in specialty inspections. Radon tests, pest inspections, and well inspections will run up the bill. Ask your real estate agents which inspections they would recommend, and plan for them when finalizing your budget.
In some real estate markets, the seller may pay for an inspection ahead of time. Ask your real estate agent if they trust the company that performed the pre-inspection. This awareness can help you decide whether or not to invest in another inspection.
If you’re selling a home in a competitive market, investing in a pre-sale home inspection may be a good idea. As a seller, some pros include the following:
- The inspection report will paint a realistic view of the property, helping you and your real estate agent set a competitive listing price.
- A pre-sale inspection allows you to make any necessary repairs or updates to get a greater return on investment when the time comes to sell.
- You won’t be surprised by the buyer’s home inspection report. If you’re selling your first home to upgrade to a second, the pre-sale inspection will help you avoid any costly negotiations that the buyer’s report might unearth.
- If you are selling a relative’s property that you inherited, the pre-sale inspection will give you all the details you need about the property's condition.
While it may seem beneficial to have a pre-sale inspection before you put your home on the market, there can also be downsides. Here are a few cons that impact homebuyers and sellers alike:
- The seller is legally obligated to reveal any problems with the house to potential buyers. If the pre-sale inspection uncovers some major problems, your plans may need to change.
- As a homebuyer, remember that the pre-sale home inspection usually benefits the seller. The home inspector likely had the seller’s best interests at heart and not yours. It’s always a good idea to invest in your home inspection.
- Finally, a pre-sale home inspection doesn’t guarantee the buyer’s inspector won’t find anything wrong with the property.
Recent reviews for Lafayette Home Inspectors
Greg was very helpful and went over everything with me since I wasn't able to be there
Our inspection was great! Greg was prompt and very professional. My experience was very good
The inspection with David went very well. We were so happy with how thorough and professional he was.
David was showed up early, and took the time to explain everything we should and shouldn’t be worried about!
Verle was great, took his time to go through everything and walk me step by step.
Greg was great, explained with detail everything. And finished the inspection way faster than other previous inspectors ive had.
David was great! He answered all questions and explained everything very well, loved working with him.
David was very knowleadgable and informative, did an wonderful job and wrote a great report.
Greg did a great job during the inspection! He was extremly informed and answered all of our questions. Definitely recommend.
Everything You Need to Know About Lafayette Home Inspectors
Does the home inspector I want to hire need to be licensed in Lafayette?
Before you start any project, it is crucial to learn about the certifications and licenses that you or your Home Inspector need to have. There are 0 home inspectors in Lafayette that are licensed.
Here are the types of license(s) Home Inspectors need to have to work on Home Inspection Agencies jobs in LA:
- Accreditations/License: Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors
- Accreditations/License: Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors
How do I know I am getting a fair price for Home Inspection Agencies work in Lafayette?
Every Home Inspection Agencies job has different requirements. Remember that the price will differ depending on the scope of your project. However, that doesn't mean you have to go in blind. Check out our tips for getting a fair price for Lafayette work from Home Inspectorsbelow:
- Talk to a few different Home Inspectors and ask for quotes to compare. We have around 51 professionals and companies in Lafayette for you to compare.
- Before contacting a company, check out the ratings and reviews from previous customers to learn what others have paid, how long the Home Inspectors took on the job, and how satisfied they were.
How do I know that I found the right Home Inspector in Lafayette for my home inspection agencies project?
Finding the right home inspector for your project can be stressful.... when you don't search with Porch. We've pulled together everything you need to know about Home Inspection Agencies in Lafayette so you can have some peace of mind before starting your project.
Here’s what you need to know to choose the right home inspector in Lafayette:
- Are they BBB accredited? 2 pros in Lafayette are.
- Check if they are they BBB rated: 10 are A-rated in Lafayette.
- Is the quality worth the price? Make sure to find the home inspector that can deliver the quality you're looking for, without going way over your budget. Don't forget that every job is going to be different.
- Speak with them over the phone: Contact multiple home inspectors pros to see if you’re on the same page when it comes to your project.
Latest projects near Lafayette
I'm flexible
Purchasing property
Whole home
Single family residence
2,001-2,500 sq ft
0-10 years
Slab on ground
Buyer
Yes
Yes
Pool or spa inspection, Mold test, Termite inspection
Chimney Inspection
Within a month
Within a month
High utility bills
Energy efficiency audit
Single family residence
0-1,500 sq ft
11-20 years
Slab on ground
Owner
Yes
Yes
None of the above
I'm flexible
I would like to get a specialist for a residential home energy audit to help me reduce my energy consumption
Energy efficiency audit
Single family residence
0-1,500 sq ft
0-10 years
Slab on ground
Owner
Yes
Yes
None of the above
Within a week
Purchasing property
Whole home
Single family residence
0-1,500 sq ft
0-10 years
Slab on ground
Buyer
No
Yes
Radon test, Mold test, Lead paint test, Sewer cam inspection, Termite inspection, Separate structure
Chimney Inspection
I'm flexible
Within 48 hours
Purchasing property
Whole home
Multi-family dwelling
2,001-2,500 sq ft
51+ years
Raised with crawl space
Buyer
Yes
Yes
Termite inspection
I'm flexible
Purchasing property
Whole home
Single family residence
2,001-2,500 sq ft
11-20 years
Slab on ground
Buyer
Yes
Yes
Mold test
Within a week
Purchasing property
Whole home
Single family residence
1,501-2,000 sq ft
0-10 years
Unknown
Buyer
Yes
Yes
Sewer cam inspection, Mold test