| AtlantiCape Inspections, LLC | P.O. Box 3350 | 7809 Wellington Ave., Margate NJ 08402 | Phone (609) 431-0202 |
SCHEDULING A HOME INSPECTION
To schedule a home or commercial property inspection, call (609) 431-0202. Every attempt is made to meet your timetable. For home inspections, weekend inspections may be able to be accomodated.
EXECUTION OF PRE-INSPECTION AGREEMENT
A pre-inspection agreement with AtlantiCape Inspections, LLC will need to be signed and returned to us prior to the start of your inspection. The agreement details what systems and components are, and are not to be inspected. It also explains the nature of a property inspection, requirements of the inspector, and the inspection fee. For home inspections, you will receive this document to review no later than the day following the scheduling of your inspection. To view or print a copy of a standard home pre-inspection agreement, click on either the home or condo inspection links.
INVOICE AND PAYMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL INSPECTION SERVICES
At the time you receive the pre-inspection agreement, you will also receive an invoice for the inspection services. The inspection fee is due on the day of the inspection. Cash and personal checks are accepted. If you will not be attending, Visa/Mastercard/AMEC credit cards will be accepted. For information on standard fees and services, click here.
THE DAY BEFORE INSPECTION
Prior to the inspection, your inspector will obtain all of the pertinent information about the building needed for the report including ownership, location, agent information, and to the extent possible, age of building, number of rooms and whether there are any outbuildings or detached structures. I may contact the local construction official to determine if and when any improvements had been made to the property, such as additions and decks, in recent years.
If you are a prospective buyer, it is recommended that if you have the time, review the state regulations on property inspections the night before the inspection. For your convenience, you can click here to access the NJ Home Inspection Board regulations.
THE DAY OF INSPECTION
You are invited to accompany your inspector on the inspection. Keep in mind that you will receive a detailed report with concise explanations and detailed, annotated photographs so in the event you are not able to attend, you will see exactly what you would have seen on the actual visit. Planning to attend? I recommend that you ask your real estate agent to attend as well, especially if you plan on bring along family members or contractors. If you are the prospective buyer, please be aware that the inspector's insurance does not cover you in the event you accidently damage the owner's property during the course of the inspection.
THE INSPECTION WALK-THROUGH
The inspection begins outside, then proceeds to the inside. If there is a crawl space, that is inspected last. Note that the inspector is not required to inspect any areas that are blocked, unsafe, or if the inspection of the item would likely cause damage. The inspection is a visual one, and by state requirements, not technically exhausting. If you need specific items inspected or evaluated that go beyond a standard visual inspection, but for which your inspector is qualified and/or certified, these additional services must be specified by separate agreement per State requirement. Refer to the pre-inspection agreement language for what is included (and excluded) from the home inspection.
The inspector will gather information as he progressed through the building. Any areas of concern will be photographed noted, for inclusion in the final report. When data-gathering is complete, the inspector will return to the office to copmplete the report..
THE INSPECTION REPORT
The final report will be edited and completed the evening of the inspection day. The report will be e-mailed to you immediately upon completion, generally late the same evening of the inspection. If you have no access to e-mail, the report will be sent Priority Mail the following business day. Or, depending on the inspector's schedule and your location, the report may be able to be hand-delivered to you or with your permission, to your real estaste agent.
POST-INSPECTION SERVICES:
Your inspector will be available to discuss the final report with you after you have reviewed it. At your request, the inspector will make a return visit to reinspect those items that the seller agreed to correct, for a nominal fee. Please note that this return inspection visit does not take the place of your pre-settlement inspection, which you would typically perform on the day of your settlement.
Buyers need to know...
On occasion, a seller may swap out fixtures, water heater or other systems or equipment in their property immediately prior to settlement, believing they are doing the buyer a favor, or for other less-than-honorable reasons. If this occurs, something I had previously inspected that appeared to be in good working order at the time may have been replaced with something in an inferior condition. Also, new roof or plumbing leaks, electrical problems or other random issues may surface between the time of my original inspection and your settlement due to normal wear and tear, component failure or a weather event like high wind or flooding rains. For this reason, you are strongly encouraged to take a personal interest in your pre-settlement walk-through. If you discover anything of concern, call me immediately to discuss.
DOWN THE ROAD:
Your inspection report is a "snapshot" of the condition of the property at the time of my visual inspection. At any time in the future, should you need to refer back to your inspection report, please call AtlantiCape Inspections, LLC. Please note that as stated in the pre-inspection agreement, this report is not transferrable to any other party.
saac G. Lilienfeld, PE, CEM, NJ Licensed Home Inspector serving Atlantic and Cape May Counties
