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Frequently Asked Questions
- What should you look for in a home inspector?
- Should I be present at the inspection?
- Who does the inspector work for?
- Can an inspector perform work on the house that he inspects?
- What is the standards of practice and code of ethics?
- What are some common issues looked for by a home inspector?
- What forms of payment do you accept?
- What are your hours of operation?
- When can I expect to have my report delivered?
- Who receives a copy of the report?
- Is this report considered a warranty?
Affiliations:
Q. What should you look for in a home inspector?
A. A home inspector should be licensed by the state in which they are doing business. To be licensed in the State of Mississippi, a home inspector must pass a national home inspectors exam, as well as a required amount of schooling. It is always a plus if the inspector has prior experience in the construction industry. They should be covered by an errors and omissions insurance policy, as well as a general liability insurance policy.Q. Should I be present at the inspection?
A. While it is not required that you be at the inspection, it is highly recommended that you attend so any specific concerns you may have can be discussed between you and the inspector face to face. It is also a good idea to attend so you have a frame of reference when reviewing the inspection report.Q. Who does the inspector work for?
A. You! As per the Mississippi Code Of Ethics, a home inspector must enter into contract with an interested party to whom the inspector is obligated to be impartial, with regards to an oppinion not biased by any other business interest financial or otherwise. This means that the inspector should only have his clients' interest in mind, and is not financially vested in the sale or condition of any given property.Q. Can an inspector perform work on the house that he inspects?
A. Home inspectors shall not
repair, replace, or upgrade, for compensation, systems or components covered by
the
Q. What is the Standards Of Practice and Code Of Ethics?
A. The Mississippi Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics is adopted from the American Society of Home Inspector’s (ASHI) Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. The purpose of these Standards of Practice is to establish a minimum and uniform standard for private, fee-paid home inspectors. Home inspections performed to these Standards of Practice are intended to provide the client with information regarding the condition of the systems and components of the home as inspected at the time of the home inspection.Q. What are some common issues looked for by a home inspector?
A. There are seven different areas of interest when inspecting a home:Exterior - The overall condition of the fascia and soffitt boards, the siding and trim, proper sloping of the ground surrounding the building and proper surface drainage.
Interior - Sheetrock staining, loose, cracked or damaged ceiling and walls, and evidence of improper drafting in a fireplace. Loose stair banister and railings.
Roof - Defects caused by aging or improper installation.
Structure - Sticky doors and windows, cracking at the slab or foundation wall, buckling siding, or a sagging roof line.
Electrical - Safety issues such as no ground fault curcuit interrupters in the kitchen or bath, improperly wired outlets and switches, improper wire size for specific applications, and improper grounding.
Plumbing - Insufficient water flow, slow water drainage, proper installation of the water heater, loose toilet, and proper installation of any gas service piping.
HVAC - Damaged or rusted heat exchangers, improper firing of the burners, inadequate installation or dilapidated ductwork in the attic or crawlspace, and improper airflow through the house and the a/c distrubution registers, as well as improper cooling of the a/c.