Reading a (NJ) Home Inspection Report

Tips on Reading an Inspection Report
When interviewing a Licensed New Jersey home inspector, ask the inspector what type of report format he or she provides. There are many styles of reports used by property inspectors, including the checklist, computer generated using inspection programs, and the narrative style.

Some reports are delivered on site and some may take as long as 4 – 6 days for delivery. All reporting systems have pros and cons.

The most important issue with an inspection report is the descriptions given for each item or component. A report that indicates the condition as “Good”, “Fair” or “Poor” without a detailed explanation is vague and can be easily misinterpreted. An example of a vague condition would be:

Kitchen Sink: Condition – Good, Fair, or Poor.

None of these descriptions gives the home buyer an idea about what is wrong. Does the sink have a cosmetic problem? Does the home have a plumbing problem? A good report should supply you with descriptive information on the condition of the site and home. An example of a descriptive condition is:

Kitchen sink: Condition – Minor wear, heavy wear, damaged, rust stains, or chips in enamel finish. Recommend sealing sink at counter top.

As you can see, this narrative description includes a recommendation for repair. Narrative reports without recommendations for repairing deficient items may be difficult to comprehend, should your knowledge of construction be limited.

NJ Standards of Practice requiers the inspector to:

  1. Describe the Meterial or Component.
  2. Describe the Material defects.
  3. Give a course of action.

Example: Action Necessary – There is an exposed condition in the framing that needs action. The noted floor joist component shows wood rot, wood destroying insect damage. The inspector was unable to determine the extent of the damages. This condition greatly reduces the load carrying capacity of the affected framing members. Further invasive inspections are needed by a competent licensed contractor prior to closing.

These descriptions are not ambiguous and comply with NJ Home Inspectors Standards of Practice.Take the time and become familiar with your report. Should the report have a legend, key, symbols or icons, read and understand them thoroughly. The more information provided about the site and home, the easier to understand the overall condition.

At the end of the inspection your inspector may provide a summary with a question and answer period. Use this opportunity to ask questions regarding terms or conditions that you may not be familiar with. A good inspector should be able to explain the answers to your questions. If for some reason a question cannot be answered at the time of the inspection, the inspector should research the question and obtain the answer for you. For instance, if the inspector’s report states that the concrete foundation has common cracks, be sure to ask, “Why are they common?” The answer you should receive will be along these lines: common cracks are usually due to normal concrete curing and or shrinkage. The inspector’s knowledge and experience is how the size and characteristics of the cracking is determined.

We recommend that you accompany your inspector through the entire inspection if possible. This helps you to understand the condition of the home and the details of the report.

Read the report completely and understand the condition of the home you are about to purchase. After all, it is most likely one of the largest investments you will ever make.

Counties Served in (NJ) New Jersey
Home Inspection (Home Inspections), Home Inspector (Home Inspectors) and Property Inspector serving: Union County, Essex County, Hudson County,Bergen County, Passaic County

BERGEN COUNTY- HOME INSPECTOR NJ : THE HOMETECH NJ INSPECTION SERVICES,LLC DIRECTORY, SERVING THESE NEW JERSEY CITIES: IN LOWER BERGEN COUNTY NEW JERSEY – ALLENDALE 07401ALPINE 07620 BERGENFIELD 07621 BOGOTA 07603 CARLSTADT 07072 CLIFFSIDE PARK 07010 CLOSTER 07624 CRESSKILL 07626 DEMAREST 07627 DUMONT 07628 – EAST RUTHERFORD 07073 EDGEWATER 07020 ELMWOOD PARK 07407 EMERSON 07630 ENGLEWOOD 07631 ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS 07632 FAIRLAWN 07410 FAIRVIEW 07022 FORT LEE 07024 FRANKLIN LAKES 07417 GARFIELD 07026 GLEN ROCK 07452 HACKENSACK HARRINGTON PARK 07640 HASBROUCK HEIGHTS 07604 – HAWORTH 07506 HILLSDALE 07642 HOHOKUS 07423 LEONIA 07605 LITTLE FERRY 07643 LODI 07644 LYNDHURST 07071 MAHWAH 07430 07495 07498 MAYWOOD 07607 MIDLAND PARK 07432 MONTVALE 07645 MOONACHIE 07074 NEW MELFORD 07646 NORTH ARLINGTON 07031 NORTHVALE 07647 NORWOOD 07648 OAKLAND 07436 OLD TAPPAN 07675 ORADELL 07649 PALLISADES PARK 07650 PARAMUS 07652 07653 PARK RIGDE 07656 RAMSEY 07446 RIDGEFIELD 07657 – RIDGEFIELD PARK 07660 RIDGEWOOD 07450 07451 RIVER EDGE 07661 RIVER VALE 07675 ROCHELLE PARK 07662 ROCKLEIGH 07647 RUTHERFORD 07070 SADDLE BROOK 07663 SADDLE RIVER 07458 SOUTH HACKENSACK 07606 TEANECK 07666 TENAFLY 07670 TETERBORO 07608 UPPER SADDLE RIVER 07458 WALDWICK 07463 WALLINGTON 07057 WASHINGTON 07676 WESTWOOD 07675 07677 WOODCLIFF LAKE 07675 07677 WOOD RIDGE 07075 WYCKOFF 07481 EVERY HOME INSPECTION WILL BE CONDUCTED BY A CERTIFIED NJ HOME INSPECTOR NEW JERSEY.

LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR NJ – ESSEX COUNTY WITH ZIP CODES IN ESSEX COUNTY NEW JERSEY BELLEVILLE 07109 BLOOMFIELD 07003 CALDWELL 07006 07007 CEDAR GROVE 07009 EAST ORANGE -7017 07018 07019ESSEX FELLS 07021 FAIRFIELD 07004 GLEN RIDGE 07028 IRVINGTON 07111 LIVINGSTON 07039 NJ HOME INSPECTOR MAPLEWOOD 07040 MILLBURN 07041 MONTCLAIR 07042 NEWARK 07100 07101 07102 07103 07104 07015 07106 07107 0710807112 07114 07175 07182 07184 07188 07189 07191 NEWARK HOME INSPECTION 07192 07193 07194 07195 07196 07197 07198 07199 NORTH CALDWELL 07006 NUTLEY 07110 ORANGE 07050 ROSELAND 07068 SOUTH ORANGE 07079 VERONA 07044 WEST CALDWELL 07006 WEST ORANGE 07052 NJ HOME INSPECTOR

LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR NJ – HUDSON COUNTY WITH ZIP CODES  IN – HUDSON COUNTY NEW JERSEY NJ – BAYONNE 07002 EAST NEWARK 07029 GUTTENBERG 07093 HARRISON 07029 HOBOKEN 07030 JERSEY CITY 07308 07306 07310 KEARNY 07032 NORTH BERGEN 07047 SECAUCUS 07094 UNION CITY 07087 WEEHAWKEN 07086 WEST NEW YORK 07093 SECAUCUS 07094 NEW JERSEY HOME INSPECTOR

ASHI,NACHI,NJ-ALPHI,NJ ASHI, NJ NACHI LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR NJ – PASSAIC COUNTY WITH ZIP CODES – IN PASSAIC COUNTY NEW JERSEY NJ – BLOOMINGDALE 07403 CLIFTON 07001 HALEDON 07508 HAWTHORNE 07506 LITTLE FALLS 07424 NORTH HALEDON 07508 PASSIAC 07055 PATERSON 07005 ASHI HOME INSPECTOR POMPTON LAKES 07442 PROSPECT PARK 07508 RINGWOOD 07456 TOTOWA 07512 WANAQUE 07465 WAYNE 07470 WEST MILFORD 07480 WEST PATERSON 07424

ASHI,NACHI,NJ-ALPHI,NJ ASHI, NJ NACHI LICENSED HOME INSPECTOR NEW JERSEY – UNION COUNTY WITH ZIP CODES – IN UNION COUNTY NEW JERSEY NJ – BERKELEY HEIGHTS 07922 CLARK 07066 CRANFORD 07016 ELIZABETH 07201 FANWOOD 07023 GARWOOD 07027 HILLSIDE 07205 KENILWORTH 07033 LINDEN 07036 MOUNTAINSIDE 07092 NEW PROVIDENCE 07974 PLAINFIELD 07061 RAHWAY 07065 CERTIFIED HOME INSPECTOR NJ ROSELLE 07203 ROSELLE PARK 07204 SCOTCH PLAINS 07076 SPRINGFIELD 07081 SUMMIT 07901 UNION 07083 WESTFIELD 07090 WINFIELD 07036

Schedule Your New Jersey Inspection Today