SAMPLE HOME INSPECTION REPORT

Home Inspection in Toms River, NJ: What We Inspect, What We Find & What You Need to Know

Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make. Whether you are buying a home in Toms River, Brick, Point Pleasant, Spring Lake, Lavalette, Manchester, Lakewood, Seaside Heights, Berkeley Township, or anywhere else in New Jersey, a professional home inspection can help you understand the condition of the property before you make one of the biggest financial commitments of your life. At All American Home Inspection, LLC, our goal is simple: We want you to understand the house you are buying. A home inspection is much more than looking around and telling you whether a house "looks good." A thorough inspection examines the home's major visible and accessible systems and components, documents concerns with photographs, and provides you with a detailed report explaining what was found. Our inspections are performed by Steve Pellecchia, owner and inspector of All American Home Inspection, LLC, NJ License #24G100102500. The company is licensed and insured in New Jersey and performs inspections in accordance with the New Jersey Standards of Practice.

What Does a Home Inspector Actually Do?

Think of a home inspection as a detailed checkup of the house. The inspector looks at the major systems and components that can be safely accessed and visually evaluated at the time of the inspection. The purpose isn't to predict the future or guarantee that nothing will ever go wrong. Instead, the purpose is to identify visible conditions that may affect the safety, function, maintenance or condition of the property. The inspection report then gives you information you can use when making decisions about the purchase. Most All American Home Inspection inspections take approximately 2 to 3 hours, depending on the size and condition of the home. Customers are encouraged to attend the inspection so Steve can explain what he is seeing as he goes through the property.

What Is Included in a Home Inspection?

A typical inspection covers the home's major visible and accessible systems.:

1. Roof

The inspector examines visible portions of the roof and related components. This can include:

Roof shingles or other visible roofing materials
Flashings
Chimneys
Roof vents
Trim
Gutters
Drip edges
Skylights
Downspouts
Other visible roof components

The goal is to identify visible conditions that may require maintenance, repair or further evaluation.

2. Attic

The attic can tell an inspector a lot about a house.

Visible areas may be checked for:

Insulation
Ventilation
Rafters
Joists
Collar ties
Trusses
Visible wiring attachments
Other accessible attic components

Problems in an attic aren't always obvious from inside the living space, which is why the attic is an important part of a home inspection.

3. Plumbing

The plumbing system is another major part of the inspection. The inspector may evaluate visible and accessible components such as:

Water pressure
Water distribution
Hose bibs
Sinks
Faucets
Bathtubs and showers
Toilets
Sanitary plumbing
Other visible plumbing components

One important thing to understand: - A standard home inspection does not mean every pipe inside the house is examined.

Pipes hidden behind walls, ceilings, floors, concrete or insulation cannot be visually evaluated during a normal non-invasive inspection.

4. Electrical System

The electrical system is examined for visible and accessible components.. This can include:

Electrical service entry
Service panel
Switches
Electrical receptacles
Visible wiring
Junction boxes
Grounding
Other accessible electrical components

The inspector cannot see electrical wiring hidden inside walls, ceilings, floors or underground. That is why a home inspection is different from an invasive electrical investigation.

5. Heating and Air Conditioning

The home's heating and cooling equipment is examined for visible and accessible components and operation.

This can include:

Furnace
Air-conditioning equipment
Refrigerant lines
Ductwork that is visible
Air-cleaning components
Other accessible HVAC components

The inside of HVAC ducts is not part of the standard inspection. If you are concerned about the cleanliness or interior condition of the duct system, a separate HVAC professional may be appropriate.

6. Interior of the Home

Inside the house, the inspection can include visible and accessible:

Floors
Ceilings
Walls
Stairs
Banisters
Finishes
Sinks
Cabinets
Shelving
Built-in appliances
Other interior components

The important word is visible. An inspector cannot see through walls, behind furniture, underneath carpeting or inside concealed areas without performing an invasive inspection.

7. Basement, Crawl Space & Foundation

Basements and crawl spaces can reveal important information about a house. Depending on accessibility and safety, the inspection may include:

Foundation components
Floors
Walls
Columns
Posts
Insulation
Ventilation
Vapor barriers
Utility attachments
Other visible structural components

If an area is inaccessible or unsafe, it may be listed as Not Inspected in the report.

8. Exterior

The exterior of the property is also examined.. This can include visible:

Siding
Windows
Doors
Trim
Sashes
Lintels
Exterior vents
Entryways
Other exterior components

The inspector is looking for visible conditions that could require maintenance, repair or further evaluation.

9. Decks & Porches

Decks, porches and similar exterior structures are included when they are within the scope of the inspection and safely accessible.

The inspector looks at visible components and conditions that may affect their condition or function.

10. Overall Structure

The inspection also considers the home's overall structural components that are visible and accessible. But a home inspection is not the same thing as an engineering investigation. If a condition suggests a potential structural problem, the report may recommend evaluation by an appropriately qualified professional.

What Do the Letters in a Home Inspection Report Mean?

One of the most confusing parts of an inspection report can be the terminology. The All American Home Inspection report uses several categories. Here's what they mean in simple language.

A - Acceptable

The component appears functional and there are no obvious signs of a defect at the time of inspection.

NP - Not Present

The item was not present or was not found at the property.

NI - Not Inspected

The inspector could not inspect the item. This might happen because of:

Safety concerns
Lack of power
Inaccessibility
The item being disconnected
Other circumstances preventing inspection

M - Marginal

The item isn't fully functional or may require repair or servicing.

D - Defective

The item needs repair or replacement because it is not performing its intended function.

What Do the Colors in the Report Mean?

The report also uses color coding to help homeowners quickly understand the information.

Blue

Blue information generally represents something the homeowner should be aware of. It does not necessarily mean that something

is defective. Recommendations may also appear in this category.

Red

Red indicates a marginal or defective condition, or an item where further evaluation or possible repair is recommended.

What Does "Prior to Closing" Mean?

When a report recommends something be addressed prior to closing, that means you should consider having the issue evaluated, repaired or otherwise addressed before completing the purchase. This can be particularly important when the repair could represent a significant expense. All American Home Inspection recommends that repairs, replacements and further evaluations be handled by qualified, licensed and insured contractors. If you are buying a home, knowing potential repair costs before closing can help you make a more informed decision.

What a Home Inspection Does NOT Include

This is extremely important. A home inspection is a non-invasive visual inspection. That means there are many things an inspector cannot determine simply by looking at the accessible portions of a property. The sample report specifically identifies a number of items that are outside the normal scope of a general home inspection. These can include:

Water quality testing
Radon testing
Air-quality testing
Mold testing
Fungus testing
Termite or wood-destroying insect reports
Thermal imaging
Lead testing
Asbestos testing
Septic inspections
Well inspections
Irrigation systems
Underground tank sweeps
Sewer camera inspections
Interior plumbing pipe inspections
Interior HVAC duct inspections
Certain gas-line evaluations
Certain electrical wiring hidden inside walls
Interior flue inspections
Fire suppression systems
Smoke alarms
Carbon monoxide detectors
Certain outbuildings and structures

Some of these services may be available separately or may require another qualified professional.

Why Can't a Home Inspector See Everything?

This is one of the most important things for a home buyer to understand. A home inspector cannot report on something that cannot be seen. Walls hide plumbing. Walls hide electrical wiring. Floors can hide structural components. Insulation can hide pipes and wiring. Furniture can hide walls and floors. Personal belongings can prevent access to certain areas. The inspector does not normally move furniture, personal belongings or other obstacles simply to gain access. The inspection is also not intended to be destructive.

For example, an inspector doesn't normally cut open a wall to see what's inside it.

What If Something Cannot Be Inspected?

The report identifies items that could not be inspected or tested.

There may be several reasons:

The area was inaccessible
The area was unsafe
The area was blocked
The system wasn't operating
There was no power
There was excessive clutter
The season prevented evaluation
The component was otherwise unavailable for inspection

The report should explain why something could not be evaluated. If an area later becomes accessible, further evaluation by an appropriately qualified professional may be recommended.

What About Windows and Electrical Outlets?

New Jersey's inspection standards place limits on how many certain components must be operated or tested.

For example, the report explains that inspectors are required to operate one window per room and test one electrical receptacle per room. A window or outlet that is blocked may not be evaluated. This is another reason buyers should carefully review the inspection report rather than assuming that every individual component in the house was tested.

What About Kitchen Appliances?

Kitchen appliance testing may be performed as a courtesy, but appliance testing is not the same as a comprehensive appliance warranty or certification. Testing is performed at the inspector's discretion and only when the environment is clean and safe.

The inspector is not responsible for determining every appliance's age or for guaranteeing that an appliance will continue to

operate after the inspection. Remember: The inspection tells you what was observed on the day of the inspection.

What About the Sewer Line?

A standard home inspection does not include a camera inspection inside the sewer line. If you are buying a home, particularly an older home, you may want to consider a separate sewer scope performed by a qualified professional. A sewer camera can potentially identify conditions that cannot be seen during a normal visual home inspection.

What About Plumbing Pipes?

The same basic principle applies to plumbing. If a pipe is behind drywall, inside a wall, underneath concrete, underground or concealed by insulation, the inspector generally cannot visually evaluate it during a non-invasive inspection. If you can't see it, you can't inspect it. That's an important distinction between a general home inspection and specialized testing.

What About Electrical Wiring Inside Walls?

The inspection can identify visible electrical components and wiring.

However, wiring hidden behind drywall, inside ceilings, underneath insulation or underground cannot be visually evaluated during a standard non-invasive inspection. If a condition suggests that additional electrical investigation is necessary, the report may recommend evaluation by a qualified electrician.

What About Mold, Asbestos & Lead?

A general home inspection is not a laboratory test for hazardous materials. The report specifically explains that mold, asbestos, lead-based paint, lead plumbing and other hazardous substances are outside the normal scope of the inspection. If you have concerns about a particular material, specialized testing may be appropriate. For example: Concerned about mold? Consider a qualified mold professional. Concerned about asbestos? Consider specialized asbestos testing. Concerned about lead paint? Consider appropriate lead testing. The home inspector can report visible conditions that may warrant additional investigation, but specialized diagnosis should be performed by the appropriate professional.

What About Homes Built Before 1978?

Older homes require additional awareness because lead-based paint may have been used in homes built before 1978.

If you are purchasing an older New Jersey home, ask the appropriate professional about whether additional lead testing is appropriate for your situation.

What About Radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can enter homes through cracks and openings in the foundation. It is invisible, odorless and tasteless. A standard home inspection does not automatically mean that a radon test has been performed. Radon testing is a separate service. All American Home Inspection offers radon testing, and its website identifies Steve Pellecchia as a New Jersey licensed radon technician. If you are buying a home in Toms River, Ocean County or elsewhere in New Jersey, ask whether radon testing should be included with your inspection.

What About Termites?

A general home inspection and a specialized wood-destroying insect inspection are not necessarily the same thing. All American Home Inspection offers termite inspections as an additional service. A specialized inspection can provide information about evidence of wood-destroying insects that may not be part of the normal general inspection.

What Is a Tank Sweep?

If you are buying an older property, you may have concerns about buried tanks. An underground tank sweep is a separate service designed to help identify possible buried objects or tanks. It is not automatically included in every general home inspection.

All American Home Inspection offers tank sweeps as an additional service.

What Is a Sewer Scope?

A sewer scope uses a specialized camera to look inside the sewer line. It is different from a normal home inspection. A sewer scope may be particularly useful when buying an older home or a property where the condition of the sewer line is a concern. All American Home Inspection identifies sewer camera inspection as an additional service rather than part of the standard visual inspection.

Why Should You Attend Your Home Inspection?

If possible, be there. Reading a report later is useful. Walking through the house with the inspector can be even more valuable.

Steve encourages clients to accompany him during the inspection so he can explain what he is seeing.

Instead of simply reading: "Electrical receptacle - marginal" you can actually see the condition and understand why it was noted.

The goal isn't to scare you. The goal is to educate you about the house you are considering buying.

Your Home Inspection Report Should Be Easy to Understand

A home inspection report shouldn't leave you wondering: "So...what does all of this mean?"

All American Home Inspection provides detailed reports with photographs and descriptions of problem areas. The company's stated goal is to help customers better understand the property they are purchasing. The report can help you identify:

Items that appear acceptable
Items that aren't functioning properly
Items that require repair
Items requiring further evaluation
Items that could not be inspected
Areas you should discuss with a contractor
Potential issues to address before closing

What Happens If the Inspector Finds a Problem?

Finding a problem doesn't automatically mean you should walk away from the house. That's an important distinction. A home inspection is designed to give you information. For example, an inspector might identify a condition involving the roof. The next step may be to have a qualified roofing contractor evaluate it and provide an estimate. Or the inspector may identify an electrical concern and recommend evaluation by a licensed electrician. The inspector identifies and documents the condition. The qualified contractor diagnoses the problem and determines the appropriate repair. This distinction is important because a home inspector is not necessarily qualified to diagnose every specialized problem.

Why You Should Know Repair Costs Before Closing

One of the most valuable things you can do as a buyer is understand potential repair expenses before the transaction is completed.

If an inspection identifies several significant concerns, consider getting estimates from qualified contractors before closing.

That gives you information you can use when making decisions about the property. The worst time to discover that a major repair is expensive is after you've already bought the house.

The Final Walk-Through Is Important

The home inspection takes place on a particular day.. The house may still be occupied. People may continue to enter the property.

Appliances can be moved. Damage can occur. Systems can stop working. Things can change between the inspection and closing.

That's why the final walk-through is important. When the house is vacant, take your time. Turn on the lights. Look at the floors and walls. Check areas that may previously have been blocked. Make sure the condition of the property appears consistent with what

you expected. The inspection report is a snapshot of the property's observable condition at the time of the inspection.

A Home Inspection Is Not a Guarantee

No home inspection can guarantee that a house will never develop a problem. A home contains thousands of components. Some are hidden. Some are inaccessible. Some problems only appear under certain conditions. Some problems develop after the inspection.

And some problems require specialized testing to identify. That's why a good home inspection should be viewed as an important source of information, not a warranty..

What Makes All American Home Inspection Different?

At All American Home Inspection, the philosophy is straightforward: Take the time to inspect the home thoroughly and explain what you find. The company emphasizes personalized service, detailed reporting and helping customers understand the property rather than simply handing them a report and sending them on their way. Steve Pellecchia is the owner and inspector, and the company provides inspections throughout New Jersey. Home inspections typically take approximately 2–3 hours depending on the size of the property, and customers are encouraged to participate in the inspection.

Buying a Home in Toms River, NJ?

If you're purchasing a home in Toms River or anywhere along the Jersey Shore, don't make your decision based solely on how the house looks. A beautifully renovated kitchen doesn't tell you what's happening in the attic. Fresh paint doesn't tell you what's happening behind the walls. A new bathroom doesn't tell you the condition of the sewer line. And a great-looking house doesn't necessarily mean every major system is functioning properly. A professional home inspection gives you another set of experienced eyes before you make a major financial commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Home Inspections: How long does a home inspection take?

Most All American Home Inspection inspections take approximately 2–3 hours, depending on the size and condition of the property..

What does a home inspection include?

A general home inspection evaluates visible and accessible major components of the home, including the roof, attic, exterior, interior, plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, foundation, basement or crawl space, decks and other accessible structural components.

Does a home inspection include a sewer camera?

No. A sewer camera inspection is a specialized service outside the normal scope of a general home inspection.

Does a home inspection include radon testing?

Not automatically. Radon testing is a separate service and can be requested.

Does a home inspection include termite testing?

A termite or wood-destroying insect inspection is a specialized service and may be performed separately.

Can a home inspector see inside walls?

No. A standard home inspection is non-invasive. Hidden plumbing, electrical wiring, structural components and other conditions inside walls cannot normally be visually evaluated.

Does a home inspection check for mold?

A general home inspection is not a mold laboratory test. Specialized mold testing may be necessary if there is a concern.

Does a home inspection check for asbestos?

No. Asbestos identification and testing are outside the normal scope of a general home inspection.

Does a home inspector inspect every electrical outlet?

New Jersey's standards limit the required testing, and the sample report explains that inspectors are required to test one electrical receptacle per room. Blocked receptacles may not be evaluated.

What does "Marginal" mean on a home inspection report?

Marginal means the component is not fully functional and may require repair or servicing.

What does "Defective" mean?

Defective means the item is not performing its intended function and needs repair or replacement.

What does "Not Inspected" mean?

It means the inspector could not inspect or test the item because of circumstances such as inaccessibility, safety, lack of power, disconnection or other limitations.

Should I attend my home inspection?

Yes. Whenever possible, attending the inspection allows you to see the property with the inspector and ask questions as conditions are identified.

Should I get repair estimates before closing?

If the inspection identifies significant concerns, obtaining estimates from qualified contractors before closing can help you understand your potential expenses and make a more informed decision.

Schedule Your New Jersey Home Inspection

Buying a home is a big decision. Don't just ask: "How much does a home inspection cost?" Ask: "What am I getting for my inspection?"

At All American Home Inspection, the goal is to provide a thorough inspection, detailed documentation and information you can actually understand.

All American Home Inspection, LLC

Steve Pellecchia — Owner / Inspector
NJ Home Inspection License #24G100102500
NJ Radon Technician License #MET12824

Serving Toms River, Ocean County, the Jersey Shore and throughout New Jersey

Call: 732-395-1417