Optimal Home Inspections

Most Recommended Home Inspector in NJ

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Structural Components

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The inspector shall:

  1. inspect structural components including the foundation and framing.
  2. describe:
    1. the methods used to inspect under-floor crawlspaces and attics.
    2. the foundation.
    3. the floor structure.
    4. the wall structure.
    5. the ceiling structure.
    6. the roof structure.

The inspector is NOT required to:

  1. provide engineering or architectural services or analysis.
  2. offer an opinion about the adequacy of structural systems and components.
  3. enter under-floor crawlspace areas that have less than 24 inches of vertical clearance between components and the ground or that have an access opening smaller than 16 inches by 24 inches.
  4. traverse attic load-bearing components that are concealed by insulation or by other materials.

Structure

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When conducting the inspection of the structural components, the home inspector shall:

Inspect Structure

  • Foundation;
  • Floors;
  • Walls;
  • Ceilings; and
  • Roof;
  • Probe structural components where deterioration is suspected unless such probing would damage any finished surface.

Describe Structure

  • Foundation construction type and material;
  • Floor construction type and material;
  • Wall construction type and material;
  • Ceiling construction type and material; and
  • Roof construction type and material;
  • Methods used to inspect under-floor crawl spaces and attics.

Cooling

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When inspecting the cooling system, a home inspector shall:

Inspect Cooling System

  • Central cooling system, excluding electronic air filters and excluding determination of cooling supply adequacy or distribution balance and without operating central cooling equipment when weather conditions or other circumstances may cause damage to the cooling equipment;
  • Permanently installed hard-wired, through-wall individual cooling systems;
  • Energy sources;

Describe Cooling System

  • Cooling equipment and distribution type; and
  • Energy sources.

Plumbing

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When inspecting the plumbing system, a home inspector shall:

Inspect Plumbing

  • Interior water supply and distribution systems including functional water flow and functional drainage, excluding wells, well pumps, well water sampling or water storage related equipment, determination of water supply quantity or quality and water conditioning systems and lawn irrigation systems;
  • All interior fixtures and faucets, excluding shut off valves, wells, well pumps, well water sampling and water storage related equipment;
  • Drain, waste and vent systems;
  • Domestic water heating systems, without operating safety valves or automatic safety controls, and excluding solar water heating systems;
  • Combustion vent systems excluding interiors of flues and chimneys;
    Fuel distribution systems; and
  • Drainage sumps, sump pumps and related piping.

Describe Plumbing

  • Predominant interior water supply and distribution piping materials;
  • Predominant drain, waste and vent piping materials; and
  • Water heating equipment including energy sources.

Exterior

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When inspecting the exterior components, a home inspector shall:

Inspect Exterior

  • Exterior surfaces, excluding shutters, and screening, awnings, and other similar seasonal accessories;
  • Exterior doors excluding storm doors or safety glazing;
  • Windows excluding storm windows and safety glazing;
  • Attached or adjacent decks, balconies, stoops, steps, porches, and their railings;
  • Vegetation, grading, drainage, and retaining walls with respect to their immediate detrimental effect on the condition of the residential building, excluding fences, geological and/or soil conditions, sea walls, break-walls, bulkheads and docks, or erosion control and earth stabilization;
  • Attached or adjacent walkways, patios, and driveways; and
  • Garage doors including automatic door openers and entrapment protection mechanisms, excluding remote control devices.

Describe Exterior

Describe exterior wall surface type and material.

Roofing

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When inspecting the roof of a residential building, the home inspector shall:

Inspect Roofing

  • Roofing surface, excluding antennae and other installed accessories such as solar heating systems, lightning arresters, and satellite dishes;
  • Roof drainage systems; Flashing; Skylights; and
  • Exterior of chimneys.

Describe Roofing

  • Roof surface;
  • Roof drainage systems;
  • Flashing; Skylights; and
  • Chimneys.

Safety

  • Employ reasonable, practicable and safe methods to inspect the roof such as:
    • Walking on the roof;
    • Observation from a ladder at roof level; or
    • Visual examination with binoculars from ground level; and
    • Describe the methods used to inspect the roof.