Pre-Purchase Home Inspection Services

All pre-purchase home inspections are conducted in accordance with ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) standards and (New Jersey Home Inspection – Standards of Practice) drafted by the State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, in consultation with the Home Inspection Advisory Committee, Law and Public Safety Division of Consumer Affairs. Contact us with any questions. A “Home Inspection” is a visual, functional, non-invasive inspection of the readily accessible elements of a house including structural components:

• Foundation
• support and framing system
• basement
• crawl space
• attic
• chimney
• garage
• exterior: roofing system, siding, gutters, windows, doors, trim, caulking/glazing, stoops, decks, patios, sheds, landscaping and grading
• plumbing system
• electrical system
• interior components: ceilings, floors, walls, doors, windows
• insulation components
• ventilation system
• fireplaces
• solid fuel burning devices
• Radon testing

Radon Testing IS REQUIRED!

Radon, a radioactive gas that causes cancer, has been found in homes throughout the USA. Radon becomes a problem when it is trapped in a home and becomes concentrated. High levels of this invisible and odorless radioactive gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer, taking thousands of lives each year.

Concentration of Radon in the ground is the byproduct of decaying uranium which produces Radon gas. Uranium is radioactive and is present in all rocks and soils to varying degrees and, when present in soil gas, can result in Radon levels in significant concentrations. Similarly, ground situated over metal ore seams or mines can have high levels of Radon gas within. It is when this ground gas is drawn into properties that high Radon levels can be present in the home.

At the end of your Pre-Purchase Home Inspection I will setup a Radon test kit and have your results within a few days. If Radon is found, measures can be taken to lower it’s levels safe enough to live in the house. It is a good idea to retest your home at least every two years to be sure radon levels remain low.

The Green arrows indicate Radon entry points.

Types of Homes We Inspect:

Victorian Era and Queen Anne:

Specializing in Victorian era and Queen Anne revival style homes for over 10 years, I will give you the necessary expertise needed to help you find the perfect home/investment. Sometimes, I can stand outside these beautiful buildings and tell you what some of the typical defects are and their locations.

Concrete Block (CMU) or Wood Frame Built Homes:

Interested in exploring homes made from concrete masonry units (CMU)? I’ve got you covered, too. I’ve invested many years of careful examination and scrutiny of the defects most commonly associated with these types of construction.

New Construction Wood Frame Built Homes:

When purchasing a new construction property, would you think a Pre-purchase Home Inspection is necessary? Absolutely! New Construction Homes, Condos, Townhouses, and Apartments are great investments however, you’ll still want me to take a look. Since the lion-share of these dwellings are built without a construction progress inspector on-board, no one can guarantee the contractor has adhered to every aspect of the plans and drawings drafted by the architect and engineer responsible for signing off at the completion of the project. I’ve seen, by way of countless inspections, that sometimes people make mistakes, cut corners or just don’t think it’s important to go the extra mile.

Remodels and Real Estate Flips:

It can be a double-edged sword when a Real Estate investor buys a home and then sells it for a profit. You definitely want a Home Inspector on your team! Back in 2001, I noticed an opportunity to utilize my carpentry skills and engineering imagination to purchase revenue-generating assets and for almost two decades I’ve inspected a multitude of flips and remodeled properties. I’ve learned from practical experience that when you start peeling back the onion to look into the home’s components more deeply, usually, you will see that sometimes each step leads to a new discovery. I will show you what is required so the property is ready for your CO inspection.

Stucco Homes:

An ancient method of protecting a dwelling from the elements still used today which appears to resemble clay or cement and is actually stucco. Typically made of construction materials such as aggregates, a binder, and water. Failing to maintain the finish will increase the risk of condensation from moisture or moisture penetration which can cause hidden structural damage. When I inspect these types of buildings, I always look for typical moisture entry points and explain how to clean and maintained the Stucco surface.

EIFS Homes:

Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) are sometimes assumed to be made from traditional stucco material when actually the siding is made of EIFS (an attractive six-layer choice of siding finish material designed to protect the home from the elements). Originally used in Europe in the early 1950’s, but when improperly installed, you can expect serious moisture issues. During your home inspection, I will show you how to recognize and maintain EIFS, signs of EIFS issues, cleaning EIFS while surveying for properly installed EIFS drainage systems that help keep moisture from becoming trapped behind the covering as to avoid mold and health problems in the home you are interested in purchasing.

CONCRETE BLOCK (CMU), SOLID MASONRY BRICK OR WOOD FRAME BUILT HOMES:

Interested in exploring homes made from concrete masonry units (CMU) or Solid Masonry Brick? I’ve got you covered, too. I’ve invested many years of careful examination and scrutiny of the defects most commonly associated with these types of construction.