WHAT WE INSPECT
Exterior
The exterior inspection is where our inspectors begin the journey. Much can be learned from the exterior of a home and the land surrounding it. Often times deficiencies discovered outside can explain problems occurring inside the property.
Condition of the siding material, potential points for water intrusion and even fire-safety issues within attached garages; Smart Choice will be able to identify ANY issue that the homebuyer or seller should be aware of.
Roof & Attic
Smart Choice inspectors exceed the standards of practice by thoroughly inspecting the roof and attic of the home. If the roof is too steep, no problem! Every inspector is equipped with a drone in order to determine the condition of the roof. From our inspectors' past contracting experience, deficiencies in the attic will be relatively easy to spot. Home Inspectors are not legally required to walk on roofs or enter confined spaces deemed too dangerous.
But we do! Smart Choice Inspectors go the extra mile for our clients.
Structural Components,
Basement/Foundation
The main cause of problems for all homes usually begin with moisture intrusion issues. Moisture intrusion into a building can cause structural damage and can threaten the safety of it's occupants. With the exterior portion of the house and the drainage method in mind, Smart Choice Inspectors can see the bigger picture in order to identify what signs indicate a major defect. Smart Choice Inspectors have an extensive background in construction and our inspectors once remediated structural damage in the field on a day to day basis. We recognize this is one of the most important parts of the inspection and we have the experience to get the job done.
Plumbing
The plumbing system of the home is monitored and inspected throughout the entire duration of our walkthrough. The water pressure, drainage systems, the water heating unit, the distribution system and all other components will be meticulously inspected in order to find leaks or defects that the seller or buyer should be made aware of. Smart Choice can also provide a maintenance check-off list for components in order for your plumbing system to continue working efficiently.
Electrical
Smart Choice takes the electrical inspection of the home VERY SERIOUSLY. Electrical fires can be an avoidable occurrence and our inspectors, once again, will go the extra mile to make sure the home is safe. Older homes must be updated in order to properly distribute electricity for modern-age appliances. Smart Choice inspectors will be able to determine if the supply is adequate. From opening the electrical panel, inspecting the service entrance cables and all other components, everything will be thoroughly inspected.
HVAC
Cooling & Heating Method
Our inspectors have been trained to inspect all modern HVAC Cooling & Heating Systems. Safety is important to us but so is cost efficiency. Our inspectors will be able to determine if these systems are fully-functional, efficient and without visual signs conveying that a vast amount of energy is being wasted. In this region of the country, summers are humid and winters are cold, it is important to us that your family is comfortable in the home. Chimneys are also included in our inspection as well.
Oil Tank Sweep
Part of the allure of living in the Tri-State is the timeless style of homes in an area with rich history. However, if your home was built before the 1980s, there's a high likelihood that there could be an underground oil tank that needs to be removed. Let us make sure that the previous home owners removed the storage tank from beneath the ground with our high-quality detector.
Radon
Smart Choice has devoted an entire page on this website to explain the avoidable harm that radon gas can do to your family. We have provided a map of high-risk areas in New Jersey. If the property that is being inspected fall within those areas, please read the Radon section of this website in full to learn more.
Wood Destroying Insects
Wood Destroying Insects are a common occurrence in homes. Especially homes with frequent issues with water intrusion. Our inspectors have taken the necessary courses and can confidently identify insect damage to structural components within the home. From termites to carpenter bees, if you got it, we'll find it! All wood-destroying insect inspections are free with home inspections.
Sewer Line Inspections
Getting a sewer line inspection before a home purchase is crucial because it can identify issues like clogs, leaks, corrosion, or tree root intrusion. The cost of a sewer inspection is far more affordable than paying to repair or replace your sewer line. Sewer line replacements in houses can reach $12,000 - $15,000 in repair costs. Many of the homes in the tri-state still have original plumbing with cast-iron. Generally, cast iron materials have a life expectancy of 50 years.
GPR Scan
There are times during home inspections where a regular oil tank sweep will not ensure that there aren't abandoned oil tanks underground. There are many obstructions both above ground (structures, parked cars, debris) and below ground (rebar, old septic tank) that can interfere. Ground-penetrating radar, or GPR, is a method of surveying subsurface materials. Using electromagnetic radar pulses, GPR can image materials in the ground. This will almost ensure that we will find an abandoned storage tank, no matter the obstructions.
OTHER SERVICES
Thermal Imaging
At no extra cost, we include a Thermal Imaging inspection throughout the property in order to identify active leaks, overheating wires in electrical panels and numerous other issues. We use state of the art technology, with experience, in order to satisfy our customers and go the extra mile.
Mold Inspections
Smart Choice Inspectors are IAC2 Certified and can conduct a complete mold inspection of your property to determine the presence of excessive mold spores in the air indoors, mold spores being spread throughout the house via the HVAC system and visual organic growth; with laboratory results shortly after the inspection is concluded.
A Smart Choice Mold Inspection can also determine the cause of mold growth within the home and can recommend methods to prevent growth in the future.
Asbestos & Lead Sampling
Smart Choice Inspectors are certified and insured for Lead Inspections for the Lead Safe Certificates required by your local township. Smart Choice provides Visual Lead Inspections and Lead Dust Wipe Samples.
Smart Choice Inspectors also inspect the property for remaining asbestos material. Asbestos sampling with lab analysis is also a service that is available.