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Allen Building Inspections has assisted thousands of home buyers and sellers
throughout New Jersey in making their buying decision with confidence. The best way
to minimize your risk and avoid any unpleasant surprises is to have a professional home Inspection.
A professional inspection is an examination of the true current condition of the house. It is not a municipal code
inspection. We will not pass or fail a house; we will simply describe, in detail, its condition at the time of the inspection. If the inspector finds deficiencies with a home, it doesn't necessarily mean you should not buy it,
only that you will know in advance what type of repairs to anticipate.
Thorough (click for more )
Our certified inspectors will examine all the major structural and mechanical systems and perform a complete room by room analysis. This visual inspection includes everything from the basement to the roof, inside and out and includes built in
appliances. We will tell you what repairs are needed immediately and which ones may be postponed. We also provide a complete overview of the entire property. A step-by-step, room-by-room inspection culminating in a comprehensive and easy
to read report will be prepared for you. Copies will also be sent to your attorney and realtor.
Experience And Credentials
Allen
Building Inspections is a professional full service Home Inspection
Company serving Somerset, Hunterdon, Mercer, and Warren counties in New Jersey . We have served thousands of home buyers throughout New Jersey. Our inspectors, are certified members of The American Society of Home
Inspectors, and continually participate in ongoing education and training. All inspections are conducted in strict accordance with The American Society Of Home Inspectors Standards of Practice
and Code of Ethics. All additional inspections or testing is performed by state licensed technicians. In addition to our ASHI Certification we are State of New Jersey Licensed Radon Measurement
Technicians, State of New Jersey Licensed Pesticide Applicators, and
New Jersey Pest Control Association (NJPCA) Credentialed Wood Destroying Insect Inspectors.
Septic Inspections
Open Pit (open tank )Septic inspections are the only inspections we recommend. A tracer dye test may satisfy your lender but
it is cursory inspection at best and is not
conclusive. Given the cost to repair and or replace a septic system in New Jersey, we feel very strongly that, an open pit inspection with probing of the drain fields, and uncovering of the distribution box by a qualified sanitarian or
engineer is necessary. We work with several reputable septic inspection firms, and will gladly arrange an inspection at the same time as your home inspection, or you may wish to speak with them directly and arrange the inspection
yourself. In compliance with the ASHI Code of Ethics, we do not receive any compensation from any of the other firms we recommend. For complete information on Septic systems and their maintenance visit The
State of New Jersey Onsite Wastewater Management Program
Lead Based Paint
Although the mere presence of lead-based paint is not a hazard, dust from lead-based paint can be spread when the surfaces are rubbed or scraped, such as when furniture rubs against the paint or when windows are
slid open or closed. The toxic dust can also be spread during repairs or remodeling. Children ingest the dust by
The U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission banned residential use of lead-based paint in 1978, but four fifths of the housing stock in New Jersey was built before that date. Allen Building Inspections utilizes X-Ray Fluorescence technology in testing for the presence of lead based paint. The testing method is non
destructive or invasive and provides instant results. Please contact us for Lead Based Paint inspection options. For complete information on Lead
based Paint and the associated health risks please visit The
State of New Jersey Department of Health
Asbestos
Although testing for asbestos is beyond the scope of a home inspection, if our inspector observes materials that appear to contain asbestos during our inspection, our report will advise you of the
potential hazard. Asbestos may be present in many different building products and often gives no visual indication of its presence, even with visual indication testing is required to be certain. At your
request Allen Building Inspections can sample suspect materials and forward them to a State Certified Laboratory for analysis.
When does asbestos become hazardous?
When there is a loose bond, the asbestos can crumble into a powder. It then releases invisible fibers into the air where we can breathe them in. This kind of asbestos is called friable. It usually appears
as flakes or chunks of white material that can be easily crumbled by hand pressure. If you see such bare or damaged material, do not disturb it. Some examples of friable asbestos include certain types of insulation found
around heating pipes, furnaces, fireproofing, and textured ceilings.
When asbestos is tightly bonded with another material, there is no problem as long as it stays bonded. Examples of bonded material are floor tiles and some roofing and siding shingles. This kind of asbestos is non
friable. It is not likely to release asbestos fibers. However, cutting, scraping or sanding this material could release fibers. This could be a health hazard.
When materials that contain asbestos
are in good shape, they should be left alone. Damaged or worn asbestos material needs special care and handling. If you or your landlord are about to do fix-up work, repairs, or putting in a new heating or electrical system, be careful.
Asbestos materials must not be disturbed while working. For complete information on Asbestos and it's associated health risks please visit The
State of New Jersey Department of Health Asbestos in the home. or The EPA Asbestos Home Page
Under Ground Storage Tank Testing
It
is estimated that 15% to 30% of all underground storage tanks have some leakage. Cleanup costs range installed may be
a problem today. (Visit
A Homeowners Guide to Cleaning up Heating Oil Discharges) Allen Building Inspections can arrange for tank testing at the same time as our inspection. Using the latest computerized testing methods results are usually available in 2 - 3
hours, and leaks as small as 1/100th of an inch are detected.
When Do I Order A Home Inspection?
Typically right after the contract or purchase agreement has been signed. However, before you sign, be sure that there is an inspection clause in the contract, making your purchase
obligation contingent upon the findings of a professional home inspection. This clause should specify the terms to which both the buyer and seller are obligated. The home inspection usually takes place after the contracts are signed and then reviewed by your attorney.
Most contracts allow for a 10-day period to have this inspection performed.
What Will It Cost ?
Our inspection fees are competitive and reasonable, and will vary depending upon the size of the house, particular features of the house, its age, and
additional services, such as septic, well, or radon testing. However cost should not be a factor in your decision to have a home professionally inspected. Discovering poor-quality workmanship or construction, lack of proper maintenance
and up keep knows no price tag. The knowledge gained from an inspection is well worth the cost, and the lowest-priced inspector is not necessarily a bargain. The inspector's
qualifications, including his experience, training, and professional affiliations, should be the most important consideration.
Can I Attend The Inspection ?
It is not necessary for you to be present for the inspection, but it is recommended. By following the inspector through the house,
observing and asking questions, you will learn about
your hew home, get tips on maintenance and a wealth of information that will be of great help to you after you have moved in. You will also find the written report
easier to understand if you've seen the property first-hand through the inspector's eyes.
Talk To Your Realtor, Attorney, or Friends and Family
More and more, realtors and attorney's throughout New Jersey are recommending Allen Building Inspections. They are aware of our Professional, Thorough, and Ethical Inspections, and are advising their prospective buyers to utilize our services.
In fact, they also recommend us to their family and friends who are purchasing a home !. Friends or family
members may have heard of us, a large portion of our business is referrals from past clients.
No Wait For Reports
Using our state of the art handheld computer inspection and reporting system, we
produce an on site narrative summary report detailing the inspectors concerns.
The full narrative report is to long to
print on site, but is faxed out that evening to your attorney, realtor, and you if requested. A full bound original is mailed the following day.
We guarantee your satisfaction !
If you attend the inspection and are not completely satisfied with our inspection or report for any reason, up to ten days after the inspection, simply return all copies of the inspection report for a prompt refund.
Call Us
Our professional and dedicated staff is ready, willing, and able to answer any questions you may have regarding our services. We will assist you in making any arrangements that are necessary to have your inspection done in a
timely fashion.
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