Q: Why should I have an inspection?
A: A home purchase is one of the biggest investments you will ever make. A home inspection provides you with the information you need to know to make a confident and wise decision. At Advantage Services, we provide you with a detailed, objective report on the home's condition so you will be aware of the condition of the home in which you are about to invest.
Q: What will the inspection cover?
A: A complete home inspection includes a visual examination or the house from top to bottom. The inspector examines more than 427 items, including:
- Roof
- Flashing
- Grading
- Patios
- Garage
- Decks
- Doors
- Windows
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Framing
- Attic
- Gutters
- Chimneys
- Drainage
- Sidewalks
- Siding
- Stoops
- Walls
- Ceilings
- Heating
- Major appliances
- Insulation
- Basement
- Downspouts
- Fireplaces
- Foundation
- Driveway
- Masonry
- Porches
- Floors
- Cabinets
- Cooling
- Bath Fixtures
- Ventilation
- Crawl Space
- Water Heater
- Retaining Walls
Q: How long will the Inspection take?
A: Most inspections or a property 2,000 square feet or less take about two hours. These times may vary depending on the size, age & condition of the home.
Q: Should I be present during the Inspection?
A: We recommend that you be present at the site of the inspection, from start to finish. The point of a home inspection is not just to inspect the property, but also to educate the homeowner and potential buyer of the condition of the property.
- You will have the opportunity to see firsthand the condition of each key component throughout the house and property so you will have a better understanding of your house and of the report.
- We can allay concerns about the findings, that on paper may seem distressing, but in fact may be superficial. For example, the inspector might explain that some lubricant can quiet an alarming noise coming from an appliance; that an unsightly column needs only a coat of paint, or that the problem that caused a water spot has previously been corrected.
- You will learn about the operation of your new home: how the heating system works, how to control pilot lights, how to turn on various appliances and components, where shutoffs are to save time and avoid frustration. The inspector can point out maintenance needs and procedures and explain how and when to check items needing periodic monitoring.
- You will have all of your questions and concerns addressed immediately as they arise.
Q: How will the inpection help me determine the condition of the home?
A: During the course of the inspection, Kevin or Peter will explain the condition of the property. After the inspection is performed, pursuant to the standards of the Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors, we will provide you with a detailed report.
Q: Why use Advantage Services?
A: The purchase of a new home is one of the single most costly investments that a family will make. Along with the extra stresses this will add, there is also the fear factor of, "Will This Home Stand The Test of Time?" It is also important to know what you, as the primary investor, are getting for your money.
A home inspection is an excellent tool for you, the home buyer, to help determine not only the condition of the home, but to also help foresee any immediate unnecessary additional cost that may go unnoticed without the help of a home inspection. Home inspections are not a prediction of future performance, but can pinpoint existing problem areas.
Q: Why can't I have someone in my family who is very handy or a contractor inspect my new home?
A: This is the biggest mistake many potential new homeowners make when purchasing a home. Although the person you are considering may be very skilled, they are not trained or experienced at professional home inspections. Professional home inspection is a unique skill like no other. Professional inspectors get what we call an inspector's instinct for problems. That instinct takes extensive training and lots of experience doing inspections to develop. Many contractors, and other trades professionals hire a professional home inspector to inspect their homes when they make a purchase.
Q: Shouldn't I hire an engineer to inspect my future home?
A: Although engineering is a well-respected and honored profession, it is not possible to perform an engineering analysis on an existing completed home. While an engineer could certainly perform a useful function in the planning stages before construction of the home begins, no engineering analysis can be made of what the engineer cannot see. Only if the framing of the home were exposed by removing exterior and/or interior wall, floor and ceiling materials and the foundation of the home were excavated would an engineer be able to make the necessary observations and calculations needed for an "engineering" analysis. The training and experience needed to become an engineer are not transferable to the home inspection profession.
If an engineer has additional training and experience in home inspections, only then should they be considered qualified as a professional home inspector. Even then, such an inspector would be applying the skills of a home inspector and not an engineer in their inspections. A degree in engineering is neither necessary nor particularly useful in performing inspections of existing homes and, in fact, many of our clients have been licensed professional engineers.
Q: What if I have questions after the inspection?
A: You can call us and discuss all the aspects of your new home whenever you like. Our service is a long-term investment. | |
Let us serve you.
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CALL TODAYAdvantage Services, Inc.
Post Office Box 77557
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
70879-7557
(225) 753-8114
(225) 753-6509 Fax
Kevin Dinkel
Peter Forrestall
Chad Dinkel E-Mail
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FAQ on Inspecting 
