General Information

A home inspection is a limited, non-invasive examination of the condition of a home. The Home Inspector is expected to identify and report upon Material Defects. A "Material defect" means a condition, or functional aspect, of a structural component or system that is readily ascertainable during a home inspection that substantially affects the value, habitability or safety of the dwelling, but does not include decorative, stylistic, cosmetic, or aesthetic aspects of the system, structure or component. The inspection is limited to the readily accessible and visible systems, equipment and components of the home. The inspector will not dismantle and/or move equipment, systems, furniture, appliances, floor coverings, finished or fastened surfaces or components, personal property or other items to conduct inspections or otherwise to expose concealed or inaccessible conditions. Any areas not accessible at the time of inspection will not be inspected.

It is the goal of the inspection to put a home buyer in a better position to make a buying decision. Unexpected repairs and maintenance should still be anticipated. This report is intended only as a general guide to help the client make his own evaluation of the overall condition of the home, and is not intended to reflect the value of the premises, nor make any representation as to the advisability of purchase. The report expresses the personal opinions of the inspector, based upon his visual impressions of the conditions that existed at the time of the inspection only. The inspection and report are not intended to be technically exhaustive, or to imply that every component was inspected, or that every possible defect was discovered.  The inspection should not be considered a guarantee or warranty of any kind. No disassembly of equipment, opening of walls, moving of furniture, appliances or stored items, or excavation was performed. All components and conditions which by the nature of their location are concealed, camouflaged or difficult to inspect are excluded from the report. The inspection is performed in compliance with generally accepted standard of practice, a copy of which is available upon request.

Standards and Limitations

All components designated for inspection in the NJ Standards of Practice NJAC 13:40-15.16 are inspected, except as may be noted in the “Limitations of Inspection” sections within this report. All components/areas noted in the Limitations should be inspected prior to proceeding with the Sale/Purchase once access/conditions are made available. Systems and conditions which are not within the scope of the inspection include, but are not limited to: formaldehyde, lead paint, asbestos, toxic or flammable materials, and other environmental hazards; pest infestation, playground equipment, efficiency measurement of insulation or heating and cooling equipment, internal or underground drainage or plumbing, any systems which are shut down or otherwise secured; water wells (water quality and quantity) zoning ordinances; intercoms; security systems; heat sensors; cosmetics or building code conformity. Any general comments about these systems and conditions are informational only and do not represent an inspection.

Security systems are NOT evaluated as part of a home inspection. Obtain all information from owner on use and specific codes for operation. Communication, entertainment and other low voltage wiring is NOT evaluated as part of a home inspection. Review operation of all such wiring with the owner PRIOR to closing.

We certify that our inspectors have no interest, present or contemplated, in this property or its improvement and no involvement with trades people or benefits derived from any sales or improvements. To the best of our knowledge and belief, all statements and information in this report are true and correct.

Should any disagreement or dispute arise as a result of this inspection or report, it shall be decided by arbitration and shall be submitted for binding, non-appealable arbitration to the American Arbitration Association in accordance with its Construction Industry Arbitration Rules then obtaining, unless the parties mutually agree otherwise. In the event of a claim, the Client will allow the Inspection Company to inspect the claim prior to any repairs or waive the right to make the claim. Client agrees not to disturb or repair or have repaired anything which may constitute evidence relating to the complaint, except in the case of an emergency.

Comments

The General Home Inspection is NOT a building code-compliance inspection, but a visual inspection for safety and system defects. The Inspection Report may comment on and identify as problems systems, components and/or conditions which may violate building codes, but although safety defects and building code violations may coincide at the time of the inspection, confirmation of compliance with any building code or identification of any building code violation is not the goal of this Inspection Report and lies beyond the scope of the General Home Inspection. 

The inspection report should not be construed as a compliance inspection of any governmental or non governmental codes or regulations. The report is not intended to be a warranty or guarantee of the present or future adequacy or performance of the structure, its systems, or their component parts. This report does not constitute any express or implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for use regarding the condition of the property and it should not be relied upon as such. Any opinions expressed regarding adequacy, capacity, or expected life of components are general estimates based on information about similar components and occasional wide variations are to be expected between such estimates and actual experience.

If you wish to ascertain the degree to which the home complies with any applicable building codes, you should schedule a code-compliance inspection with your municipality. 

The home may not meet many generally-accepted current building standards. Older homes are inspected within the context of the time period in which they were built, taking into account the generally-accepted building practices of that time period. The Inspection Report will comment on unsafe conditions, but problems will be described as defects at the Inspectors discretion. Homes are not required to be constantly upgraded to comply with newly-enacted building codes but are only required to comply with building codes or generally-accepted standards which existed at the time of original construction. An exception may exist when a home is remodeled, depending on the scope of work. New work must usually comply with building codes in effect at the time in which the remodel work is performed.

The functionality of, power source for and placement of smoke/fire/carbon monoxide detectors is not part of this inspection. Upon taking occupancy, proper operating and placement of smoke/fire/carbon monoxide detectors should be verified and batteries should be changed. These devices have a limited life span and should be replaced at a minimum every 10 years. If no smoke/fire/carbon monoxide detectors are installed you should consider installation of battery operated and/or hardwired smoke/fire/carbon monoxide detectors in all recommended locations.

All repairs should be performed by qualified professionals only. Adjacent/related parts of the repairable component should be inspected by the qualified professional when the repairs are made.

Home Orientation

All references to orientation through out the report are as if viewing the home from the front, street side unless another reference point is stated.

Rated Items

Monitor/Maintain = Item, component, or unit will require routine maintenance, warrants monitoring, or has a limited remaining useful life expectancy and may require replacement in the not too distant future. Maintenance or servicing may be needed by a qualified licensed contractor or specialty tradesman dealing with that item or system.

Improvement/Upgrade = Item, component, or unit is functioning as designed but may have a less than ideal design, function, or may not fully adhere to modern building science. Routine monitoring is recommended and any improvement/upgrades should be performed, as necessary, by a qualified licensed contractor or specialty tradesman dealing with that item or system.

Repair/Replace = Item, component, or unit is not functioning as intended and needs repair or replacement. Further evaluation and/or correction is needed by a qualified licensed contractor or specialty tradesman dealing with that item or system.