Home Inspection Q&A

What is a Home Inspection?  

A home Inspection is primarily a visual, non-destructive, inspection with limited probing where allowed, with operational tests of systems using normal controls. The home inspection reports on the condition of the home as found on the date of inspection, and makes recommendations to repair, replace, monitor a system if marginal, or recommends further evaluation of a system if this is needed to determine the true condition. A home inspection should not be considered to be an insurance policy against future damages or damaged from concealed or latent conditions that may be present when the home was inspected. There may be conditions that are not identifiable at the time of the inspection because they do not
immediately show themselves as problems, but instead progressively deteriorate and require repair or replacement at a future time.  For example, a basement filled with stored items can hide defects in the foundation wall framing. Re-modeling or building an addition onto the home can expose hidden termite damage when walls are opened. A home inspection is not a guarantee against the possibility that repairs may be needed to the home. You should expect the need for maintenance, and repairs, because no inspection can totally eliminate all risks, and all homes need regular maintenance to keep them in good condition.

Who Will Do the Home Inspection?  Your home inspection will be done by a licensed home inspector who also has engineering training. State regulations actually do not require home inspectors to be engineers, and only a few of the hundreds of home inspectors in NJ are engineers. If you choose Meyers Home Inspections, your home inspection report will be done by a  NJ State Licensed home inspector who is also an Engineer.

How Long Will The Home Inspection Take?   The average home inspection usually requires about two to three hours, but we do not time limit it. For larger homes our inspection is often done by two inspectors simultaneously to make the home inspection process more efficient.

Sample Report Our home inspection reports have been called "the best we have ever seen" by numerous clients, attorneys and real estate professionals. We provide a detailed narrative style
written report that is custom written for your property.  The report includes digital color photos of your home and the home systems.  If you have a question about anything that is in our report you can call the inspector directly to get the answer.  To see an actual home inspection reports simply click on the highlighted heading of this section.
 

What About Instant Check List Type of Reports? We do NOT provide a "check list" type of report, as we feel that a "check list" report  can not provide adequate detail or accuracy as compared to the narrative report that we custom prepare in our office.  We will be happy to answer questions during the inspection, but will not provide an "instant" computer generated type of report.  
Our considerable experience doing home inspections for many years has convinced us that "instant" type reports provided by some other home inspectors are likely to be inaccurate or incomplete since they are not proof read before delivery.

Should I Be Present at the Home Inspection?  Yes , you should be there if at all possible. We consider the home inspection to be an educational experience. Your home inspector will be pleased to answer any questions you may have when you accompany him on the inspection. Our report will cover all aspects of the home that are part of the home inspection, and will provide a description of the system or part of the home, its current condition, and recommendations for maintenance, repair, or replacement if needed.