All home inspectors practicing in the State of New Jersey are REQUIRED to be licensed by the State of New Jersey. What is inspected/covered as part of the home inspection is dictated by the state and can be found on the New Jersey Government sites. Here is link directly to it STATE REGULATIONS
Starting on page 20 of this document 13:40-15.16 STANDARDS OF PRACTICE
I tried to make it easier to understand what is included Below. A home inspection is often referred to as the Structural Inspection. The Home Inspection includes an overall assessment of all the components and systems in your house. This assessment includes the following:
Exterior |
Interior |
Systems |
 Foundation/Structural |
Walls/Ceilings/Floors |  Heating |
 Garage |
 Steps |
 Air Conditioning |
 Windows & Doors |
 Fireplace |
 Electrical |
 Exterior siding |
 Kitchens |
 Plumbing |
 Gutters/Leaders |
 Bathrooms |
 Water Heater |
 Roofing |
 Basement |
|
 Porches/Patio/Deck/Fence |
Attic |
|
 Walkway/Driveway |
OTHER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS OF INCLUSIONS
The exterior inspection details the overall condition of the exterior building including the materials and related items. The exterior inspection includes but is not limited to the following: the foundation, landscape, walkways, porches/decks/patio, roof, gutters, siding, windows and garage.
Foundation – Inspection includes an examination for signs of spalling and cracking in the foundation. Typical issues may include a suggestion of re-cement to prevent moisture from entering & causing further damage. Recommend resealing.
Landscape – Trees & vegetation and grading all have an impact on the houses well being. Tree branches can cause hazards. Overgrowth of vegetation and bushes lead to insect infestation. Improper grading can lead to water penetration in the basement.
Walkways– Sidewalks and walkways can create a trip hazard. Typical issues may include spalling & cracking to the concrete walkway.
Doors and Windows – All doors and windows will be inspected both from the interior and exterior. Broken seals on thermo pane windows are common and lead to issues with energy efficiency. Single pane windows need to have storms to be effective. The exterior doors will be given a special inspection for condition, weather strips, hardware, water damage, door jams and saddle.
Porches/Decks/Patios – The inspection details the materials, condition and safety of the porch/deck/patio. This includes the structure, railings, steps and footings. Recommended repairs and maintenance items are discussed and detailed in your report.
Driveway – Repairs and maintenance are needed on driveways. Cracking and spalling are common issues and resealing is a common maintenance item.
Fences/retaining walls
Chimney/flue – Spalling is common and caps are recommended.
Roof – The condition and longevity of the roof is detailed in our inspection. Repair or maintenance may be needed to prevent leaking and further damage.
Gutters – We inspect the gutter system for functionality, repair and maintenance. This includes the gutters, downspouts and splash plates. In addition to water in the basement, improper water control will also cause wood rot and termites.
Exterior Siding – We identify the materials and the condition of the exterior siding. We recommend repair and maintenance.
Garage – Recommend adding safety cables run through center of overhead garage door springs to prevent injury if spring should break.
The interior inspection details the overall condition of the exterior building including the materials and related items. The exterior inspection includes but is not limited to the following: walls, ceilings, floors, interior doors, stairs, kitchens, bathrooms, attic and basement.
Steps, Stairways Railings
Fireplace – A tier 1 inspection of your fireplace will be completed. If a tier 2 chimney inspection is desired a special contractor will need to be contacted.
. Kitchen – The kitchen components and appliances will be evaluated. This includes: cabinet doors/drawers, countertop, sink, plumbing, stove/oven, vents/fans, floor coverings, wall/ceilings, dishwasher, garbage compactor and refrigerator.
Bathrooms – . The Home Inspector New Jersey will inspect and evaluate the sinks, bathtubs, toilets and showers. The floors and walls will be inspected very carefully since water damage is common in these areas. The bathroom vents, plumbing and the electrical outlets will also be inspected. The electrical outlets will be tested for grounding and function. And, if the outlets are GFCI types, they will be tested to assure that the outlet is functional. All of fixtures and functionality will be tested . Sink Faucets, Sink Stopper, Sink Trap/s, Toilet Mechanism/Leaks Toilet Secured to Floor, Fan, Tile, Tub, Jacuzzi Type, Tub Drain Stop, Shower Faucet and Shower Head & Drain.
Laundry – The washing machine and dryer are not fully evaluated as per the NJ Standards of Practice. We usually fill/drain the washer and test to see that the dryer gets hot. We recommend obtaining and maintaining all warranties and paperwork if these devices are included in your purchase. We will evaluate the plumbing hookup for the washer and check to see that the dryer is properly vented to the outside.
Attic – We will evaluate the access, structure, the ventilation and the insulation for energy efficiency. Proper ventilation is essential to the attics well being.
Basement – We will evaluate the access, structure and water penetration in the basement. The structure includes the main support beams, support columns and floor joists. The structure in the basement may be one of the most important parts of your home inspection. Water penetration in the basement is a common occurrence. We will evaluate the condition and the components that may be installed to handle high water tables. This includes french drains, floor drains, sump pumps and water proofing. Crawl Spaces will also be accessed and evaluated.
Heating and Air Condition Systems – Our Home Inspector will give a description of the type of heating system being inspected. This may include manufacturer, approximate age, fueling and approximate life expectancy. Our report will describe the overall general condition of the system. Our Home Inspector NJ will remove the front covers of the furnace when possible and inspect for the following conditions: rust, flame burning appearance, filter, etc. Maintenance items such as service suggestions and filter recommendations are included. Other items in this section may include: Is there an asbestos like substance present on the boiler pipes in the basement? How is the system vented? Is the thermostat working properly? Where is the gas/oil main valve & location? Are there Carbon Monoxide leaks?
Oil Tanks – Is there visible evidence of any prior underground oil tank? Evidence of a prior oil tank can be visible during the home inspection in the basement or on the grounds of the property. While we can not determine with certainty that there is an oil tank buried, we can suggest that more testing be performed. We may recommend having a tank sweep performed or that you obtain proper certification from the seller stating that the oil tank was legally and properly removed from the ground. We do not perform this type of testing but can schedule an oil tank sweep to coincide with your scheduled home inspection at your request.
Water Heater – Our Home Inspector will give a description of the type of water heater being inspected. This may include manufacturer, pressure release valve, approximate age, fueling and approximate life expectancy. Our report will describe the overall general condition of the system.
Electrical System – Our Home Inspector will give a complete description of the type of electrical system. This may include the main panel manufacturer, type of wiring, outlet condition, grounding amps and sub panels . Most electrical outlets will be tested for grounding and function. Some common issues include multi-taps in the electrical panel, reverse polarity to the outlets, open grounds, entrance cable condition, knob and tube wiring and GFI condition.
Plumbing – Our Home Inspector will give a complete description of the type of plumbing system being inspected. These items include main service pipe, drain pipe, waste condition and materials. The report will describe the overall general condition of the system location of the main valve and water pressure evaluation. The main water supply line and shut off valve will be inspected and shown to the client so he or she will know where to shut off the water in case of an emergency.
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