FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a home inspection involve?
There are four basic steps to the home inspection: The inspector explains what is going to take place and asks about any special questions or requests. While the inspection agreement is being reviewed, the inspector will make a quick assessment of the property to get a general estimate of the scope of the inspection. There will be an in-depth walk-through inspection with the client. This involves inspecting all visible areas and reviewing all accessible items and areas. This includes the interior plumbing systems, electrical systems, heating system, central air conditioning system, the roof, attic space (where applicable), walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, basement, and the foundation and all structural components. All questions or items of special interest regarding a particular system or structural component would usually be addressed at this time. A final check of the entire property is made for verification that the condition of the property remained the same since the beginning of the inspection. With the conclusion of the inspection, the inspector will prepare a hard copy of the inspection report. All of the deficiencies are entered onto the summary sheet for the client.
How long do inspections take?
An average home inspection by our New Jersey Home Inspectors and Home Inspectors NY will take between 2 to 3 hours, depending on the size of the house. Larger and more complex houses usually take longer for inspectors to completely and accurately evaluate. Also, the condition of the components at the property may affect inspection time because if they have not been properly maintained, it will take additional time for the inspector to explain to the buyer what options they have to either maintain or replace the items.
Why do I need a home inspection?
The purchase of a home is the largest investment for most people throughout their lifetime. Being informed and educated as much as possible when making this investment can save a lot of money, time and headaches. A home inspection provides this education. Also, most mortgage lenders highly recommend that home inspection be performed before the purchase and sale of a home.
A home inspection lets a buyer know the exact condition of a property. Any repairs or modifications needed will be assessed before you buy, allowing you to make an informed purchasing decision. After the inspection, you will have a much better understanding of the property you intend to purchase.
A home inspection is also valuable for homeowners (sellers) for identifying any potential problems that may need tending to. If you intend to put your house on the market, a home inspection will identify items that would be called out on a buyer’s inspection, which allows to you to make prior repairs and modifications, putting your house in a more sellable position.
Can I do it myself?
Even the most experienced homeowner lacks the knowledge and years of expertise of a professional home inspector. An inspector is familiar with the elements of home construction and remains completely objective and unemotional about the home.
Why do I need a home inspection on a house that I'm building?
An inspection on a new home is very important for the buyer to level the playing field so that builders and contractors do not take advantage. This is because, as in any job, there are shortcuts and tricks of the trade that are easy to miss for someone who is unfamiliar with them. A home inspector is trained to see these nuances and will offset the builder’s and contractor’s interest.
There is usually an inspection of the house before the drywall is installed, known as a “pre close-in" inspection. It provides a level of quality assurance for the buyer that many builders don’t usually provide for their contractors. This inspection gives you a great chance of identifying and correcting problems when they are much easier and less expensive to fix.
What is the cost of a home inspection?
The cost of a NY home inspection and home inspection NJ for a single family home varies due to the geographical location, as well as its size and age. The cost also varies when additional inspection services are requested, such as mold, asbestos or radon testing and inspections. However, you shouldn’t let cost be a factor in determining whether or not to have a home inspection performed. You should consider the money spent as an educational investment if nothing is found, and if something is found the inspection covers its fee many times over in money, time and headaches.
Do I need to attend the inspection?
It is not necessary that you attend the inspection. However, Superior Home Inspection Services strongly recommends that you or a representative for you attends the inspection so that you are properly informed of the investment that you are considering. It’s recommended that you attend because you will be able to follow the inspector around and visually learn about the condition of your house, how the various systems operate and how to properly maintain them. You will also have the opportunity to ask the inspector about the contents on the report. Who should have better knowledge of a home than its next owner?
Is the inspector licensed and/or certified?
All of our inspectors have gone through training and are fully licensed and insured!
Do you carry Errors & Omissions insurance?
Yes, we do!
How hard is it to upgrade the electric service in my house?
Upgrading the electric service is a procedure that may include one or all of the following:
- Replacement of the service entrance cable
- Upgrade & possibly replacement of the main disconnect panel
- Installation of an additional branch circuit over fuses & circuit breakers
- Re-wiring the branch circuit connections at the main disconnect panel
Any time a repair is performed within an electrical system and its components, a licensed electrician will be contacted to make these repairs.
What are the estimated life spans of all the systems in my house?
Due to factors including the geographic area, the physical location of the units and the climate and weather it is very hard to determine an accurate estimation.
On the other hand, there is an estimated design life when a property or component is built. The following is a list of different components with their respective estimated design life span.
System
Component
Estimated Design Life
Roofing
Asphalt Composition Shingle
18 - 22 Years
Asphalt Composition Rolled Roofing
10 - 15 Years
Built-Up Roofing
10 - 15 Years
Elastomeric / Rubber Roofing
10 - 15 Years
Wood Shakes / Shingles
15 - 25 Years
Clay / Terra Cotta Tiles
25 Plus Years
Concrete / Asbestos Cement Tiles
25 Plus Years
Slate Roofing
50 Plus Years
Metal Roofing (flat, standing-seam, corrugated)
Indefinite
Plastic / Fiberglass corrugated panels
15 Plus Years
Glass Panels (sun rooms, etc.)
15 Plus Years
Gutters and Downspouts
15 - 20 Years
Heating
Boiler (Steam / Hydronic)
25 - 40 Years
Forced Air Furnace - Gas / Oil
15 - 35 Years
Forced Air Furnace - Electric
15 - 25 Years
Electric Resistance, Baseboard
15 - 25 Years
Cooling
Heat Pump
10 - 15 Years
Central Split System
10 - 15 Years
A/C Compressor
10 - 15 Years
Window A/C Unit
10 - 15 Years
Evaporative (Swamp) Cooler
10 - 20 Years
Plumbing
Water Heater - Electric
12 - 18 Years
Water Heater - Gas / Oil
10 - 15 Years
Solid Waste Pump
5 - 10 Years
Sump Pump
5 - 8 Years
Submersible Well Pump
10 - 15 Years
Shallow or Deep Well Jet Pump
10 - 15 Years
Kitchen / Appliances
Dishwasher
5 - 10 Years
Garbage Disposal
5 - 10 Years
Cook Top - (Electric / Gas)
15 - 20 Years
Range / Oven
15 - 20 Years
Refrigerator
5 - 25 Years
Trash Compactor
5 - 10 Years
Ventilator / Draft Hood
8 - 12 Years
Washing Machine / Clothes Dryer
8 - 12 Years
Miscellaneous
Chemical Termite Treatment (subterranean)
5 Years
Fumigation for Drywood Termites
2 Years
Radon Mitigation System
Life of the fan
Plumbing inspections Staten Island NY
We inspect water heaters, boilers, softeners and other equipment
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Weekends: 10:00am - 7:30pm
REVIEWS
- Michael was extremely thorough, professional, and helpful. Scheduling the appointment was super easy. I loved how honest Michael was, and how he took his time inspecting every detail. He took the time to answer any questions I had. Would absolutely recommend Superior Home Inspections!- Diane Russo. 4/29/2020
- Michael did the inspection on our first home purchase, he was very knowledgeable and took the time to explain certain things in detail. He was very attentive and made sure to go over any concerns I had, The report was received quickly and with great accuracy. I would definitely recommend this company for your home inspection needs.- Danny . 2/19/2020
- The team at Superior Home Inspections was friendly, professional, extremely thorough and made the process very simple as a first time home buyer. The follow up and prompt report was exceptional. I would highly recommend them to any home buyer, they provide a complete and full inspection and assessment.- Natalie DelValle. 1/16/2020
- My agent recommended this company, as he'd had a very very good experiences with them, and oh boy am I happy we called them! Mike was super professional, thorough, and agreeable. He found major construction faults that ended up terminating the deal (THANKFULLY), but most importantly-- he maintained his professionalism and composure when the seller's agent completely and disrespectfully lashed out at him. I will definitely call him again to conduct an inspection when I find another place.- netagoder . 10/15/2019
- Michael has been honest, knowledgeable and quick with all of our communications and the report. I've been extremely happy with the responsiveness and thoroughness of their services. He was happy to answer any questions or look further into any concerns that I had, and explain them. I've already recommended to friends looking for homes, too- Chris Daversa. 10/12/2019
- I had a great experience with Superior Home Inspection. Michael was very professional and thorough when conducting the inspection. Step by step he was looking through all aspects of the condo/townhouse and answering all our questions. He also took the time to teach us important things about the home that we might not have noticed otherwise. Great job! Thank you!- Eugene Suharev. 8/26/2019
- Michael was prompt. Able to meet on short notice and arrived early to our meeting. Professional, willing to explain details and provide suggestions. Thorough and seemed to be knowledgeable. He was patient with our many questions, as we were first time home buyers with many concerns. Full inspection report received within 24 hours, which was organized and detailed. I am very OCD, and he met my expectations. I would recommend this company to friends and family.- Tiffany Cho. 7/31/2019
- I previously used another inspector, but this time needed one on short notice. Called Mark and he was able to come the next day. I stuck around for the whole inspection and fired off many questions, Mark always had answers. The property was a foreclosure and the bank left me with only 2 days to sign the contract so I needed the report ASAP so Mark had it ready for me early the following morning. Very happy with the inspection so far, dont want to jinx it as things can always go south, but it really didnt seem he missed anything, he was very thorough.- Meister z. 7/30/2019
- I was in need of a second home inspector following a closing on a property in Brooklyn. Being a first time home owner it was a little nerve racking running into issues with the property immediately after closing. But after scheduling an appointment over the phone with Mark and sending Michael the very next day really calm my nerves. Michael was very knowledgeable, professional and honest as to what he saw during the inspection. His advise was very much appreciated and a full report was emailed to us withing 24 hours!! I just wished we have hired Mark and his team sooner! Thank you so much guys, we really appreciate all your guidance and expertise on this one.- Jennifer Torres. 6/24/2019
- Had a great experience using this team. I worked with mark the owner at first and then had Mikhail Petrosov as my inspector. What I loved about the experience is how knowledgeable he was and the fact that he took his time and didn't just rush through the inspection. After the inspection he was available to me for calls texts and explanations as long as I needed. I would highly recommend them to anyone.- Daniel Zeltser. 6/23/2019
- Working with Superior Homes Inspection and Mark was such a pleasure. Not was he always professional he was also punctual. He was so meticulous on his inspection that he saved us thousands of dollars on buying the wrong house. When we did the inspection on the second house he was just as thorough and helped us make the right and perfect decision. I would have no problem referring him to anyone and everyone who needs an home inspector. Thank you Mark!!- Sean Feliciano. 5/28/2019
- Superior Home Inspections Services, is highly recommended by me Mark was awesome took his time explained everything. He went from the roof to the basement and everything in between, even turning on faucets and checking out the oven. I will definitely be using Superior Home Inspections Services again. Joe Cam- JOE CAM. 9/29/2018
- Found this place online and based on reviews decided to give them a try since they are reasonably priced ($350) and readily available (needed someone to inspect my condominium within three days notice). Mikhail Petrosov (Mik) was assigned to me and he was very prompt, thorough and detailed. Would recommend their services.- Allis C. 6/5/2018
- This month Mark came and did a townhome inspection for me , he got right to work and was extremely efficient. Not only that but i had reached out and got a same day apt , he made it work. He paid attention to detail and really did not skip a thing. He took pictures of everything and asked questions about the home when needed. He had the report ready for me two days after as promised and let me know that if i ever had more questions to let him know. Last but not least hes very proffessional and friendly letting you feel comfortable to reach out at any time.I trully recommend him and wouldnt hesistate to use him in the future when needed. Thank you Mark!- Ally Martinez. 5/23/2018
- Mark was great and provided professional and thorough service. I am a first time home buyer so I asked a lot of questions, and he was sure to answer each one. I feel confident that he is knowledgeable and honest, and would recommend him and Superior Home Inspection to anyone needing inspection services.- Sonya Elefante. 4/8/2018
- Me and my Fiance were in a rush to book a home inspector, we found Mark online and it was the best choice we made. He accommodated the hours we needed the inspection and arrived on time. The inspection itself was wonderful Mark went through every inch of the house and gave me step by step details of what was going on, i feel like i know the house better than the current homeowners. Mark is priced extremely fair and you can tell that he loves his job, he was very knowledgeable about the live span of the appliances and was up to date with current code so told us other things we might want to look into. I recommend everyone get the infrared test with Mark he does a great job and it shows you what goes on under the sheet rock and could save you thousands in the long run. Mark provides the report shortly after the inspection- Rakesh Singh. 5/18/2017
- We used Mark for a pre-sale inspection of a single family home, and had a great experience. He was very accommodating and responded quickly. He also took the time to answer all our questions, and the final report was very thorough and easy to read. We needed a quick turn around and were able to have the inspection completed and the report turned around within 72 hours of book an appointment. I would definitely recommend him to anyone in need of inspection services.- Abigail Kunitz. 4/13/2016
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