FAQs

How do you conduct your inspections?

Homestead Inspection Service produces a narrative report describing the condition of each important component or system of the home. The inspector uses a hand held tape player to record his observations, moving from item to item.

The exterior is inspected first to give the inspector the overall perspective of the building and to evaluate the conditions that may be affecting the structure. After the exterior, including the roof, has been inspected, he inspects the attic, then all interior rooms and systems, and finishes up inspecting the basement and major mechanical systems.
When purchasers are present, the inspector meets with them before, during and after the inspection to review what he has observed. By the end of the inspection, the purchasers will know what the inspector has discovered about the building.
Following inspections, the secretary transcribes the tape into an official home inspection report. The original is always mailed, but most reports are also emailed and/or faxed at the direction of customers.

Can we call you after the inspection?

Absolutely. We encourage customers to call us if they have any questions about their home inspection report. Homestead Inspection Service provides a professional service and is always available to answer our customers' questions.

Can the purchaser accompany the inspector?

Homestead Inspection Service encourages customers to be present during inspections if at all possible because it is a valuable opportunity to see what the inspector does and to ask questions about the home.
The inspector will inspect an area of the building, and then meet with customers to explain his findings and to answer questions. By the end of the inspection, the inspector will have reviewed his findings verbally with customers and will have answered their on-site questions.

How long does the inspection last?

A typical four bedroom home may take around three hours to inspect and a townhouse will take probably around two hours. Some homes take longer to inspect depending on their condition, age, special problems and/or added services like private sewage system testing. Homestead Inspection Service schedules a morning job and an afternoon job, allowing plenty of time for the inspector to thoroughly examine each home.

What do you inspect?

Partial list of components inspected:

Exterior Features Driveway, grading, chimneys, gutters and downspouts, trim, siding, windows, doors, walks, steps, decks, balconies, electric service entrance, outlets, hose bibs, light fixtures, handrails, evidence of underground fuel tanks, and miscellaneous components.

Roof and Attic Roof coverings, flashings, penetrations, attic entrance, roof structure, roof deck, ventilation, insulation, attic fans, etc.

Interior Bedrooms, bathrooms, common areas, living areas, kitchen, laundry, garages, fireplaces.

Structural Basement, crawl spaces, foundation, framing, water penetration, insect damage, rodent evidence, radon testing (when requested), sump pump operation, finished basement features (outlets, heat sources, etc.)

Mechanical Systems Air-conditioning (temperature permitting), heating, electrical, plumbing and heating systems.

Please note: These are the basic inspection components, but there are many more conditions that are observed and reported upon when necessary.

What type of report is provided?

Homestead Inspection Service provides a detailed, custom narrative report describing the results of every home inspection.
Because of the level of detail we provide, our reports are far superior to the simple checklist reports provided by many inspection companies, or to the common computer generated reports that are long on "boiler plate". These are often short on specific information pertinent to the home being inspected. Homestead Inspection Service's reports are clear and to the point and provide home buyers with the information they need to understand the condition of the home they are purchasing.

How are your reports provided?

A hard copy is always mailed to the purchaser. We email and fax as requested. We will provide a courtesy copy to the buyer's attorney, but state law requires written permission from the buyer for distribution of copies to others.

What other services do you provide?

In addition to being licensed by the State of New Jersey to perform home inspections, our inspector is licensed by the State to provide termite inspections, septic system inspections and testing, well system testing and inspections and radon testing. When necessary, referrals can be made for special engineering services, underground fuel tank testing, and lead testing.

Wood Destroying Insects This inspection and certification is commonly called a "Termite Inspection", although it is for other wood destroying insects as well. It must be performed by a licensed Commercial Pesticide Applicator and Form NPCA-1 (supercedes VA 26-8850 and HUD 92053 which have been obsolete since 1995) has to be completed to satisfy the lender. Homestead's inspector is licensed to complete this requirement and has been performing these inspections for over 20 years.

Radon Testing Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas linked to lung cancer when breathed in high concentrations over long periods of time. The federal and state governments have established safe levels of radon gas in homes. Only licensed radon technicians can perform radon testing. Homestead's inspector is a licensed radon measurement technician and has been performing radon testing for over 20 years. Homestead Inspection Service works with RAdata, Inc., a licensed radon testing lab and a licensed radon testing business to perform radon analysis.

Private Sewage (Septic Systems) Homestead's inspector has inspected and tested thousands of septic systems since 1972 as a New Jersey licensed Environmental Specialist.
Private sewage systems are costly to replace and must be tested and inspected to determine their condition. Mortgage companies typically require a licensed engineer or licensed environmental specialist to certify that a septic system is working properly. There are two basic types of inspections or tests:

DYE TESTING. Required by most lenders. Consists of:

Dye test of plumbing drainage system
Volume test (restricted by state regulation)
Visual inspection of property for evidence of malfunction
Removal of building drain plug for evidence of malfunction
Probing of disposal area

Systems installed in New Jersey after 1991, are required to have inspection ports over the septic tank and the disposal field so that the system can be visually monitored. "Open Pit" testing of these newer systems is unnecessary as they are already accessible for inspection.

OPEN PIT TESTING. Recommended for older and deep systems without inspection ports. The septic tank and the disposal field or pits are opened up for visual inspection and testing. This more extensive testing requires permission of the homeowner as holes have to be dug in the yard to expose the tank and disposal area. Open pit tests are more accurate for pre-1991 systems, but are more expensive.

Private Well Systems NJSA 58:12A-26, the NJ Private Well Testing Act requires all wells be tested as part of a real estate transaction. The responsibility for compliance with this new law, effective September 14, 2002, seems to be falling on owners, rather than on buyers as of the date of this web site preparation. Buyers of homes with wells should check with their attorneys and realtors concerning who will be responsible for well water testing during the real estate transaction. The accessible well components will be checked by the inspector during the home inspection.

Are you insured?

Yes. Homestead Inspection Service carries both commercial liability insurance and professional errors and omissions insurance.

Who will be my inspector?

Your inspector will be Jim Benson, owner of Homestead Inspection Service. Jim has been providing environmental inspections since 1972 and home inspections since 1983. He is one of the most experienced inspectors in New Jersey, having performed thousands of inspections spanning over 30 years. He has been a senior member of ASHI since 1986 and has served on New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection committees for both private sewage systems and radon testing.

What standards do you use when inspecting?

Homestead Inspection Service uses the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, as well as the New Jersey Home Inspector Professional Licensing Act regulations recently enacted.

Do you do any repairs on homes you inspect?

No. Ethically and legally, Homestead Inspection Service cannot perform any repair work in homes inspected, nor can Homestead Inspection Service recommend contractors to do repairs.