The inspector or engineer is checking the building structure and the requirements of the wall paint. After the renovation is completed

What To Look for in a NJ Home Inspector | Home Inspection Tips

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Hiring a good home inspector can alleviate a lot of stress for homeowners and buyers alike. If you’re in the market to buy a house, you should be aware that there can be issues with homes that only a good inspector will notice. It’s smart to hire this kind of inspector, as finding these issues puts the responsibility on the seller to resolve these issues before you buy the house. You may even find issues you would never have noticed that cause you to rethink buying the house altogether. Conversely, if you’re looking to sell a house, it may be in your best interest to get ahead of the game and hire a new jersey home inspector to identify any issues, saving you the hassle of having to negotiate these problems and costs with potential buyers.

What Your New Jersey Home Inspection Should Include

Your standard home inspection should include a thorough assessment of the property’s structural integrity, external and internal features, mechanical systems, as well as other details.

An inspector will look at things such as:

– Plumbing
– Electrical systems
– Thermal systems
– Basements and garages
– The kitchen and all of its features
– Walls, both exterior and interior
– The condition of the roof and attic
– Chimney
– Stairs and steps
– Baths and shower systems
– Potential insect or rodent problems
– Exterior drainage systems
– The foundation of the home

Though the inspector should be efficient, this task requires thoroughness and should take two to four hours. Sometimes inspectors take longer than this depending on the intricacies and size of the property. The cost of a home inspection usually lies between $300 and $800, though factors like the age and variety of the property can add to the cost.

Related: Learn about our NJ mold testing and keep your home free of dangerous mold

When to Find a Home Inspector

Finding the right home inspector for you is essential. In fact, it’s recommended that you find a reliable home inspector before you start shopping for houses. Finding the house first can make the deal time-sensitive, and it’s better not to rush into big decisions if you can avoid them. Speaking to friends and family about their experiences with home inspectors, roof inspections, termite inspections or others may lead you to the right one. You can also find a list of local home inspectors on the American Society of Home Inspectors website.

What to Ask Your NJ Home Inspector

When courting a potential home inspector, be sure to ask them the right questions to get an idea of their verifiability. Find out how long they’ve been in the industry, how many inspections they’ve done, what their background consists of, and what you can count on their report to look like. Keep in mind that specialist like plumbers and electricians are great for plumbing and electrics, but inspectors should have a more global knowledge of a home and all of its structures and components.

If you’re in a state that regulates home inspectors, any reliable home inspector should be licensed. Check their official record for any negative reviews. In the case that your state does not regulate home inspectors, verify that they are ASHI accredited and carry errors and omissions insurance.

Final Words

Choosing an inspector that is not affiliated with any real estate agency is the best way to avoid any unwanted biases. Be sure that the inspector you choose can send you a thorough report with ample time to review, in a digital format that you can easily forward to friends and family. Finally, you want an inspector that knows what they’re talking about. Go with someone who carries a sense of pride and confidence in their abilities as a home inspector.

Oil Tank Sweep Inspection | Bergen & Hudson County NJ

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Oil Tank Sweep Inspection | Bergen & Hudson County NJ

Oil tank sweep inspections are a vital part of preventing oil spills. A professional company such as Villa Home Inspections can provide these services for you with the latest equipment available, ensuring that your tanks remain safe and secure from leaks or other hazards. We are here to ensure that Hudson & Bergen County NJ are clean and guarantee that your family is safe in your new home.

At Villa Home Inspections, we believe every tank before the winter months to ensure there is sufficient fuel left for your family’s needs. After inspecting each and every storage area, we will recommend any adjustments that need to take place in order to increase safety measures when storing oil tanks during cold seasons.

The most important part of maintaining an oil tank is the inspection. The mechanics will inspect for impurities in order to maintain the safety and integrity of your tank, as well as make sure it is clean enough to store fuel without contamination or damage. It is more common to have an oil tank at home than a gas one, so the use of crude petroleum in homes for heating will never be as efficient. There are many things to consider when installing a home oil tank. For instance, the temperature of your climate determines which type you need or if you even want one at all.

The danger of an oil tank

Hidden underground oil tanks can be a significant financial liability when buying a home. Even if no signs point to the home ever having had an underground oil tank, a tank sweep of the property is recommended, especially in older homes. For minimal cost, an oil tank sweep can potentially save thousands upon thousands of dollars in soil clean-up if a previously undisclosed heating oil tank is discovered during the sweep.

Many homeowners don’t know that there is more than just heating efficiency in their homes. They could be making better use of an installed oil tank- it also provides hot water for showers and other services as well!

oil tank sweep hudson county nj

 

About Villa Home Inspections | Home Inspector Hudson & Bergen County NJ

If you are renting, buying or selling a home, allow Villa Home Inspections to give you the peace of mind you deserve. We bring a detail-oriented, educated, smart and experienced approach to all our Hudson & Bergen County NJ Radon Inspections.

We also offer certified Home Inspections, Commercial Building Inspections, Mold Inspections, Termite Inspections, Pre-Purchase Inspections, Pre-Rental Inspections, Pre-Listing Inspections, Condo Inspections, Townhouse Inspections, Oil Tank Sweep Inspections, and Radon Inspections.

What Is Water Well Testing? | Buying A Home With A Well | Bergen & Hudson County NJ

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What Is Water Well Testing? | Buying A Home With A Well | Bergen & Hudson County NJ

Bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms can’t survive in water without a host. That’s why it’s crucial to test the purity of municipal tap well before drinking it or using any recreational activities that come into contact with the groundwater like swimming pools. Villa Home Inspections offers water well testing along with numerous other tests (see our Home Inspection Tips) in your Bergen & Hudson County NJ home inspection.

The US Environmental Protection Agency has developed standards for testing wastewater sources which include both biological tests E-Coli detection and chemical analysis (Nitrates). To make sure everything is safe from harmful bacteria, visit 123WaterTesting.com, where they’ll be happy to walk you through what types of services are available depending on your needs as either an individual homeowner or someone who manages multiple properties across town, so everyone stays healthy at

Is your home connected to the central water supply?

One of the essential things in a home is the water. That’s why it needs to be tested regularly, and some people even have their own well for that very thing! If you’re buying a home that’s not connected to a central water supply, congratulations! You are now the new “Water Safety, Treatment, and Prevention Manager,” of your household. The EPA says that about 15% of U.S. homes are on a private water system of some sort.

You may not know it, but water quality is an essential factor in everyday life. All around you, there are signs of a world that have been severely contaminated with contaminants like lead and arsenic, which can cause chronic health conditions such as cancer or heart disease. Even if the levels on your local tap are below acceptable limits for most people, this doesn’t mean they’re safe! Your city’s public works department conducts well testing regularly to make sure our drinking supply is free from contaminates so we don’t have those same risks at home too-wells must be tested every six months by law just to ensure safety standards aren’t being surpassed anywhere along the pipeline where contamination could occur before reaching its destination: YOUR TAP! Call for a free quote and schedule your inspection today with me.

For buyers who have never had anything but water from a municipal tap system, a private water supply can seem like virtually the same thing: turn on the faucet, water comes out. Simple. But too many buyers assume that if the water looks good, doesn’t smell bad, and the current owners aren’t sick, the water must be okay. But that’s a big mistake. Discovering that the water is unfit to drink or that the well is poorly constructed or in need of replacement is essential to find during the buying process, not after.

water well testing nj


About Villa Home Inspections | Home Inspector Hudson & Bergen County NJ

If you are renting, buying or selling a home, allow Villa Home Inspections to give you the peace of mind you deserve. We bring a detail-oriented, educated, smart and experienced approach to all our Hudson & Bergen County NJ Radon Inspections.

We also offer certified Home Inspections, Commercial Building Inspections, Mold Inspections, Termite Inspections, Pre-Purchase Inspections, Pre-Rental Inspections, Pre-Listing Inspections, Condo Inspections, Townhouse Inspections, Oil Tank Sweep Inspections, and Radon Inspections.

home inspector hudson county nj

Home Inspections Procedure | Prepare For Your Home Inspection

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A home inspection is when someone, such as a licensed professional inspector who specializes in this area of expertise, comes to your house and looks around. The person will then report back on any potential problems that they found by taking pictures and checking for anything from structural issues with the foundation to mold growths inside the walls.

This can be an essential step before purchasing the property because it ensures you know what condition your new purchase will need repairs which may cost more than other properties would have required repairing at a closing time due to existing defects like leaky pipes, broken windows/doors, etc., but if not repaired now could cause significant damage later down the line so do make sure all items are noted during the trial period!

Home Inspection Procedure

The standard home inspector’s report will cover the condition of the home’s heating system; central air conditioning system (temperature permitting); interior plumbing system; electrical system; the roof, attic, and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and doors; and the foundation, basement, and structural components. The home inspection process can be a lot of work, and there are many considerations to account for. A thorough walk-through is the first step in inspecting a property as it dictates what needs further investigation during an electric, plumbing, heating/cooling, or other types of inspections.


There will likely also need to check on whether any structural issues exist that could cause future problems with your potential purchase, such as cracks in foundations, walls, or floors; damage from water leaks; mold growth due to moisture buildup around windowsills and basements, etc.

Why get a home inspected?

Home inspections are an excellent opportunity for you to get into your home and learn about the different systems that keep it running. A good inspection (see What to Look for in a NJ Home Inspector) can be invaluable in many ways: learning what’s going on behind all those walls, getting an idea of where things like plumbing might need some work done down the road, or even just figuring out how everything is hooked up and labeled so when someone comes over they know precisely which breaker controls which outlet!

 

Schedule Your NJ Home Inspection Now:
201-927-3163

Check out our other services:

Oil Tank Sweep | Video Sewer Inspection | Condo & Coop Inspections | Maintenance Inspection

Plumbing Home Inspection Checklist | Doe’s Your New Jersey/ New York Home Have Plumbing Issues?

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The state of new jersey is home to many interesting sites, but none so curious as to the pipes that run through our houses. The humble pipe may not seem like much compared to other engineering feats; however, it has a profound impact on everyone’s day-to-day life and routine. They are ubiquitous fixtures throughout all levels of society which we use for everything from cooking meals at your kitchen countertop sink to showering after an invigorating jog around town! These crucial pieces offer another point where citizens can feel ownership over their city or township while providing utility services provided by public entities such as NJ American Water Company who utilizes these services just outside the Newark City Hall building. New Jersey is a state known for its dense population and large metropolitan areas. Plumbing systems are one of the essential elements in any home, as they keep water flowing throughout all parts of your house with ease.

Why Is Plumbing Important?

Plumbing problems are some of the top deficiencies found in a home inspection. Water is indispensable to life, and we use it for all sorts of activities in our daily lives, which makes it imperative that your home inspector spends adequate time examining your home’s plumbing operation. General plumbing issues found in home inspections are generally related to water leaks, sewer line clogs, water heater problems, and subpar plumbing work. The bearing of one or more of these concerns may require a full inspection from a licensed plumber.

New Jersey’s location on the coast means that we have both saltwater intrusion into underground pipes from ocean storms and snowmelt runoff during extreme winters, so you may need to be especially aware if this has been an issue at other homes or businesses near yours before selecting new plumbing services.
Plumbing is an integral part of home life. Today in New Jersey, with the new water restrictions and drought problems people have been dealing with for years now, it’s more important than ever to make sure your pipes are running smoothly – after all, you can’t drink or bathe without clean water! Here at Villa home Inspections, we offer a number of services that will help keep your plumbing system up-to-date on current standards as well as ensure there won’t be any future pipe disasters down the road. And remember safety first when it comes to drains!

Schedule Your NJ Home Inspection Now:
201-927-3163

Check out our other services:

Oil Tank Sweep | Video Sewer Inspection | Condo & Coop Inspections | Maintenance Inspection

 

Radon In New Jersey & New York Home | What is RADON & Where Does It Come From?

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It is imperative to make sure that your home has a radon detector installed from my inspection. To do this, you need a qualified inspector who will thoroughly check for the presence of natural gas and other potential threats in or around your house. A few tests can be done onsite by an expert, including myself, such as indoor air testing using special equipment designed specifically to detect levels of radiation caused by uranium found naturally in rocks such as granite and shale stone which are common materials used when building homes today.

Radiation given off through radioactive decay within isotopes like Uranium-238 leads not only causes cancers but also has been linked with respiratory diseases especially those resulting in lung cancer due to breathing problems often associated with asthma. Radon is a radioactive gas that can seep into homes and pose significant health risks.

Radon Inspection:

To check for Radon, professionals will come to your home with specialized equipment and take measurements at two points in the house: one near where you spend most of your time (typically the living room) and another point on an outside wall or window well away from any known sources of air ionization such as TVs, computers, plug-in nightlights, etc. The measurement results are then used to determine whether there’s enough radiation coming indoors through cracks around basement windows or doors, unsealed concrete slabs, open crawl spaces under buildings – even if the previous owner did no testing outdoors! If problems are found during the radon inspection, it may be necessary for additional tests if the problem is prominent.

Radon Effects:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Surgeon General’s office estimate radon is responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S. When you breathe in radon, radioactive particles from radon gas can get trapped in your lungs. Over time, these radioactive particles increase the risk of lung cancer. It may take years before health problems appear.
People who smoke and expose themselves to radon are at a greater risk of developing lung cancer. EPA recommends taking action to reduce radon in homes that have a radon level at or above 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air (a “picocurie” is a common unit for measuring the amount of radioactivity).

Parents’ responsibility is to ensure that their family members are safe in a clean and healthy environment. They can do this by getting a radon inspection which will alert them if there are unsafe levels inside any part of your home or office before it becomes an issue for anyone within those spaces.

There’s nothing worse than letting loved ones live with something dangerous like Radon, especially when you could have prevented it from happening! Installing a detector from my inspection ensures peace of mind for every family member living at home. We know now what the risks were all along – harmful chemicals infiltrating into homes thanks to poor building design choices.

 

Schedule Your NJ Home Inspection Now:
201-927-3163

Check out our other services:

Oil Tank Sweep | Video Sewer Inspection | Condo & Coop Inspections | Maintenance Inspection

 

Ultimate Insulation Home Inspection Guide | Is My Home Properly Insulated?

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The insulation inspector follows a strict protocol when inspecting a home. They start by measuring the thickness of the walls and ceilings with specialized equipment, which looks like an oversized pistol that fires infrared beams to measure heat flow through different materials. If you want your new house inspected before winter arrives, contact one now!
As the inspector goes through your home, he or she will be looking for insulation. This is often used to keep houses cool in summer and warm during winter. The cement has a moisture meter that detects any water seeping into it from rain, melting snow, humidity – whatever may cause damage due to wetness.

Insulation is the process of minimizing heat transfer to or from an object. There are three main types: fiberglass, foam, and polyurethane spray foam insulation (SPF). SPF provides increased thermal efficiency in a building structure and reduces energy consumption by up to 50%. This can be done with existing structures as well as new construction without any adverse effects on its appearance. The attic is hands down the most important place in your home to ensure you have adequate insulation. In the winter, warm air rises and can escape through a poorly insulated or sealed attic at alarming rates. Examining that the average U.S. family spends almost $2,000 a year on heating and cooling bills; that 20% is about $400 that could be in your bank account instead. When inspecting, you want to make sure that there is plenty of insulation in your attic. If you can see the ceiling joists, you don’t have enough insulation, or your old insulation has settled over time. Lofts should have at least 12 inches of insulation, but 15-20 inches is even better.

A home that is not properly insulated will not only feel drafty, but it will also have some pretty hefty heating and cooling bills. If you suspect your home is under-insulated, it may behoove you to do your homeowner insulation inspection. Several areas are relatively easy to inspect. The insulation pros at Villa Home Inspections will walk you through the basics so that you can live worry-free knowing your home is adequately insulated and will protect your family from unwanted injuries in the future.

Insulating your home will help keep the heat in during winter and cold out in summer.
Insulation is vital for keeping your Hudson County house warm all year round, reducing heating bills, and saving you money on cooling costs too!

 

Schedule Your NJ Home Inspection Now:
201-927-3163

Check out our other services:

Oil Tank Sweep | Video Sewer Inspection | Condo & Coop Inspections | Maintenance Inspection

 

What Is Asbestos? Asbestos Home Inspection?

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What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring minerals composed of soft, flexible fibers that are heat-resistant. Asbestos is still used in hundreds of U.S. consumer products. Its use is allowed as long as it accounts for less than 1% of the product. Exposure to asbestos causes cancers and other diseases, including mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Asbestos is a dangerous substance, which can cause serious illness. Homes in Bergen County are commonly old, and many may contain asbestos.

 

Many houses from the ’40s are riddled with this toxic material used before it became outlawed by law due to its harmful effects on both humans and their home environment. These homes often present themselves as potential buyers’ dream houses, only for them later to find out they need expensive repairs or even an entire renovation because of how much damage has already occurred inside thanks to these materials being all over the place!
Some homeowners are being faced with a tough decision: renovate their old house, or risk the health of themselves and their family by living in an asbestos-laden home.

Some people find that they can’t afford to stay afloat financially while maintaining such costly renovations as replacing floorboards, so instead, they choose to live in an unsafe environment for fear of going bankrupt from remodeling costs. However, if you do decide it is worth your time, then please make sure not only yourself but all workers who will be doing any work on the property wear protective gear at all times!

 

Types of Asbestos

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 legally recognizes six types of asbestos that fall into two categories: Amphibole and serpentine.

Amphibole Asbestos

Amphibole asbestos fibers have a straight, jagged shape. There are five recognized types:

  • Crocidolite
  • Amosite
  • Anthophyllite
  • Tremolite
  • Actinolite

Serpentine Asbestos

Serpentine asbestos fibers are curly. There is only one kind: Chrysotile, which is also known as “white asbestos.”

  • Chrysotile

 

Schedule Your NJ Home Inspection Now:
201-927-3163

Check out our other services:

Oil Tank Sweep | Video Sewer Inspection | Condo & Coop Inspections | Maintenance Inspection

 

First-Time Home Buyer Tips! Everything You Need To Know As A First Time Home Buyer

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Are you a first-time homebuyer in New Jersey? Have you been looking for homes and apartments that are ready for an inspection to make sure they’re safe, good quality, and worth the money? If you’re interested, read about our home inspection tips to ensure you get the perfect home inspector for your NJ home.

With so many places to choose from, first-time homebuyers in Bergen County or Hudson county are spoiled for choice. Their options range from affordable apartments and homes go to villahomeinspections.com to put in the accurate dimensions and components to your future home to receive a free quote from my team and me.

Whether you are interested in a townhome, apartment, condo, or home we are here to give you the best pricing for your home inspections. Real estate can be substantial in New Jersey and New York, which is why Villa Home Inspections is here to make the process as easy as possible with flexible times and rapid reports.

If you’re looking for a place to call your own on the West Coast of America, consider checking out fantastic new properties in Hudson County, New Jersey! We’ve got everything – both apartments with plenty of space as well as private single-family houses waiting just for you!

No one wants to live in a city filled with cockroaches, bed bugs, or mice. In New York City alone, there are an estimated 1 million rats! To avoid these critters from making your home their own, you’ll want to schedule a home inspection from Villa Home Inspections. Schedule an appointment today with one simple phone call or go to our website to input the property criteria of your real estate and get your home inspected as soon as possible in New Jersey; bergen county, Hudson county, Essex county, etc.

 

Steps to buy Your First Home:

  1. Establish your budget and research the market.
  2. Research and choose a type of home loan.
  3. Get pre-approved by a lender.
  4. Find an experienced New Jersey real estate agent.
  5. Begin the house hunting process.
  6. Get your home inspected by Villa Home Inspections
  7. Make an offer and, if necessary, negotiate with the seller.
  8. Close the deal and get the keys to your new house.

 

villahomeinspections.com/blog

Schedule Your NJ Home Inspection Now:
201-927-3163

Check out our other services:

Oil Tank Sweep | Video Sewer Inspection | Condo & Coop Inspections | Maintenance Inspection

 

 

Covid-19 Safety Guidelines For Home Inspections Villa Home Inspection | Are Home Inspections Safe During Covid-19?

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As a Covid-19 friendly company, we take extra care to protect our employees from contact with the virus and keep them at an appropriate social distance. We ask that there be only two people inside your home or apartment while the inspection is taking place, as this will ensure safety for everyone involved in the process of making sure you are safe!

 

Villa Home Inspections believes that home inspections can continue during the COVID-19 outbreak when prudent safety precautions are practiced, and when performing the inspection does not conflict with government orders and recommendations. We pride ourselves on being one of New York’s most trusted companies to provide certified home inspections. During these times, we guarantee all procedures are carried out safely by having vaccinated employees who maintain proper social distances. They don’t contact any infected individuals but still use sanitized equipment that protects both parties respectfully during those crucial moments – especially if someone were carrying Covid.
If you are new to NYC and need a home inspection, make sure it’s done by one of our certified inspectors. They can check for termites, asbestos, or Radon in your building, so go ahead and book them now! Let us take care of an additional inspection for Radon, too, because many buildings in New York City can be old.

Do not let Covid-19 prevent you from your dream home, with villa home inspections we ensure your safety during this pandemic. We ensure your safety and well-being with New Jersey and New York home inspections.

While a lot of our safety precautions might not have been noticed in the past (cleaning equipment, washing hands between stops, etc.), the new policies put in place to help prevent the spread of the virus are in line with the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommendations (CDC’s Coronavirus [COVID-19]), & adhere to InterNACHI’s COVID-19 Safety Guidelines, which are based on OSHA’s infection prevention & industrial hygiene practices & OSHA’s assembled requirements & standards regarding COVID-19.

Remember:

  • Reschedule the inspection if you feel sick, or if you exhibit symptoms of a respiratory illness.
  • Bring your own anti-bacterial soap, towel, hand sanitizer and shoe covers.
  • Use hand sanitizer before entering the home, and wash your hands as recommended before beginning the inspection.
  • Wear disposable shoe covers when entering the home.
  • Do not shake hands.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Wash your hands after inspecting each bathroom and the kitchen.
  • Wipe bathroom and kitchen fixtures and toilet handles with a sanitizing wipe after inspecting these areas. Be sure the wipe instructions allow use on the fixture or handle.

 

Schedule Your NJ Home Inspection Now:
201-927-3163

Check out our other services:

Oil Tank Sweep | Video Sewer Inspection | Condo & Coop Inspections | Maintenance Inspection