Kingsbridge – Home Inspections New York City

Home Inspections in Kingsbridge

Licensed, professional home inspectors serving the Kingsbridge (Bronx) neighborhood, offering a broad range of services for our residential customers.

Home Inspection Services in Kingsbridge

If you’ve been around as long as I have, then you’ll recognize the need for home inspections. A detailed home inspection protects you the prospective home owner against the obvious problems that every home has. While the inspection is not fool proof, an inspector worth his weight will be able to identify the primary systems that could be ready to break on you as a new buyer. A decent inspector will narrow down the probabilities of system failure greatly.

Simply put, a home inspection is a formal detailed evaluation of the visible and accessible systems and components of a home (structure, plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, roof, etc.) and is meant to give the customer a better understanding of the house’s general condition. Phone today to book a home inspection in Kingsbridge at 332-334-7701 or Request a Quote. You’ll be glad you made the call.

Most often, the inspection is a homebuyer who requests a formal evaluation of the home’s condition they are serious about buying. A home inspection delivers data so that decision makers can question or confirm details about the home confirmed or questioned, and can uncover serious and/or expensive-to-repair defects that the seller/owner may not be aware of. A home inspection is not an appraisal of the property’s value. The inspection does not address the cost of repairs for defects the inspector finds. Similarly, a home inspection makes not claim that the home and its systems complies with local building codes or protects a customer in the event something inspected fails.

Sidenote: Warranties may be purchased to cover several key items.

Kingsbridge Home Inspection Specialists

Don’t consider an inspection of the home and property as an exhaustive evaluation, but rather property evaluation at this point in time, taking into account normal wear and tear of the home based on age and location. A home inspection can also include for extra, pest inspections, pool inspections, energy audits, Radon testing, water testing, energy audits, and many other specific items that may be location-specific.

Home inspections are also done (less often) by a seller prior to putting the property on the market to see if there are any hidden problems, and also by home owners simply wishing to prevent surprises, and keep the home investment value high, and care for their homes.

The following are aspects that inspectors pay close attention to during an inspection:

1. Major defects, such as large cracks in the home’s foundation; structure out of level or plumb; decks not installed or supported properly, and others. These items are pricey to repair, which are entire systems requiring more than two percent of the buy price to fix.

2. Items that could lead to serious defects – i.e., damaged down spouts that could cause backup and water intrusion, a roof leak that could grow larger, or a support beam that was not tied to the structure properly.

3. Safety hazards, such as exposed electrical wiring in kitchens and bathrooms, lack of safety railing on decks above 30 inches, lack of GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters), etc.

Your inspector should advise you on what to do about these areas of concern. He may recommend a formal evaluation on more issues – by licensed or certified professionals who are specialists in the problem areas. For instance, your inspector will recommend you phone a licensed building engineer if he/she finds areas of the home that are misaligned, as this could indicate a serious structural deficiency.

Home Inspections are just performed by a buyer after they sign a contract, right?

This is patently false! As you might find whenever you read on, a home inspection can be used for interim inspections in new construction, as a maintenance tool by a current home owner, a proactive technique by homeowners to make their property more sellable, and by buyers wanting to find out the situation of the potential home.

Home owners, in particular, can benefit from finding a home inspection before listing the home. Here are only a few of the advantages for the home owner:

· The home owner knows your home! The home inspector will be able to have answers to his/her questions on the annals of any problems they find.

· A home inspection can help the home owner be much more objective in regards to setting a fair price on the home.

· The home owner usually takes the report and ensure it is into a marketing piece for the home.

· The home owner is likely to be alerted to any safety issues found in the house before they open it up for open house tours.

· The home owner will make repairs leisurely instead of being in a rush following the contract is signed.

Why Can't I Perform the Inspection Myself?

Most homebuyers lack the knowledge, skill, and objectivity needed to inspect a house themselves. In other words, they think they know their homes, but they really don’t. By using the services of an expert home inspector, they gain a much better understanding of the situation of the property; especially whether any items do not “abjectly affect the home’s living space” or “work as intended” or “warrant more detailed attention” by a qualified specialist. Understand that the home inspector is just a generalist and is broadly been trained in every home system.

Should I Be There at the Inspection?

It’s wise for you to be present through the inspection – whether you’re a buyer, seller, or homeowner. With you there, the inspector can explain to you any defects and explain their importance along with explain maintenance features that’ll be helpful in the future. In the event that you can’t be there, it’s not a problem considering that the report you obtain is likely to be very detailed. If you’re not present, then you need to be sure to ask your inspector to spell out anything that is not yet determined in the report. Also see the inspection agreement carefully so you understand what is covered and what’s not covered in the inspection. When there is a trouble with the inspection or the report, you must raise the difficulties quickly by calling the inspector, usually within 24 hours. If you’d like the inspector to go back following the inspection to show you things, this can be arranged and is a good idea, however, you could be charged extra since a second walk through not part of the inspection, unless, of course, you make that a part of your home inspection contract

However, it’s important to let the inspector do the work you’re paying for. We love our customers, but we also know that constant interruptions and interference (some might even call it nagging) make the process unnecessarily slow. Jot down your questions and ask them after the inspector has presented you with a detailed report.

How Long Does the Inspection Take?

This depends on the condition and size of the home. You can usually figure 1.3 hours for every thousand sq. ft. For instance, a twenty five hundred square foot house would take approx. three hours. If the company also produces the report at your home, that will take an extra hour. These numbers aren’t set in stone because you really want him or her to do a comprehensive inspection without being rushed.

What About Condo or Townhome Inspections?

Since condos are units within a single building, homeowners pay a monthly assessment fee to a home owners association (HOA) or condo association, which pays for the upkeep and maintenance of all exteriors including the building (lighting, exterior walls, roof, etc.), stairways, fire escapes, landscaping, sidewalks, and parking areas. Depending on the size of the building, the is also responsible for maintaining the community boilder or HVAC. In smaller condo buildings, many home owners have their own boiler that suffices for the HVAC that a building would normally provide. Owners are responsible for everything inside the unit including walls, appliances, balconies, porches, plumbing, and electrical. There are fewer items to inspect, but getting an inspection from someone who knows what they’re doing is still critical. As you well know, HOAs are a fickled lot, to be honest. And they’re all so very different, even within a city. Ask us about it and we’ll be honest with you. If we can inspect your unit, we’ll do it; if we can’t, we’ll also let you know. We believe honesty is always the best policy and we live by it.

Kingsbridge Inspection Includes

The following list is not exhaustive. Not all of these items may be in the inspection you receive, but the inspector will be following a standard check list for the home:

· Heating and air conditioning
· Heat pumps and controls
· Laundry appliances (washer and dryer)
· Walls, doors, windows, patios, walkways
· Kitchen floors, cabinets, counters
· Windows and window gaskets
· Eaves, soffits, and fascias
· Grading and site drainage
· Shrubs, trees, bushes, lawn
· Retaining walls
· Heating equipment and controls
· Ducts and distribution systems
· Fireplaces
· Driveways
· Interior doors and hardware
· Roofing system
· Safety items such as egress, TPRV valves, railings, etc.
· Ceilings, walls, floors
· Handrails, entry stairs

· Decks
· Bricks, masonry
· Basement, foundation, and crawl spaces
· Garage, garage walls, floor, and door operation
· Plumbing fixtures and systems
· Electrical system and panels
· Electrical outlets, GFCI, and grounding
· Smoke (fire) detectors

Other items aren’t an integral part of the regular inspection is usually added on an additional fee:

· Alarm System
· Swimming Pool and Spa Inspection
· Mold Screening
· Termite Inspection
· Sprinkler System Test
· Radon Gas Test
· Water Quality Test
· Septic System Inspection

Why Should I Obtain a Home Inspection?

Your new home has dozens of systems and more than 9900 moving pieces – from heating and cooling to ventilation systems and to appliances. When these systems and appliances interact, all is right with the world. Weak links in the machinery, however, can produce assorted problems resulting in a loss in value and shortened system/component lifecycle. Would you buy a used car without a qualified mechanic looking at it? Your property is far more complicated, and to have a thorough inspection that is documented in a written report arms you with substantial information on which to make informed decisions.

How Much Does a Home Inspection Usually Run?

That is usually the first question asked but the clear answer tells the least about the grade of the inspection. Fees are based based on size, This really is usually the first question asked but the solution tells minimal about the quality of the inspection. Fees are based based on size, age and several other aspects of the home. Inspection fees from an avowed professional home inspector generally start just under $350. A typical fee for a 1,900 sq. foot home around the country is about $300-$450 for just the inspection. In New York City, it will probably be an extra 30-35% or more. But think about what you are getting for that price. Who can put a price on peace of mind?
age and various other aspects of the home. Inspection fees from an avowed professional home inspector generally start just under $350. A typical fee for a 2,000 sq. foot unit nationally is approximately $330-$450 for just the initial inspection. In New York, it will probably run you an additional 25%.

What is NOT Included in a Kingsbridge Property Inspection

Most of the people believe the entire home is inspected detailed on inspection day. This misunderstanding is responsible for many a homebuyer to get upset because of their inspector. The inspections we do usually are not exhaustive and there’s a good reason for this.

Should you hire individual licensed experts in air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, engineering, etc. to examine your property, it may well take about fourteen hours and run you about two grand! It is a bit more practical to get an established inspector who has a general comprehension of home systems, knows things to look for, and can suggest further inspection by a specialist if needed. Your inspector can also be following very specific guidelines issued by state or national organizations as he/she inspects your home. The guidelines are carefully written to protect both the home as well as the inspector.

For example, we have been told to NOT turn systems on if these were off before the inspection (for safety reasons); we are really not able to move furniture (might harm something); against the rules to transform on water when it is off (possible flooding), and against the rules to destroy by having a sealed attic hatch (possible damage). Obviously of the practice is the fact that by not operating a control, by not seeing in the furniture, and to not get in the crawlspace or attic, we might miss identifying a problem. However, placed in perspective, the odds of missing something serious therefore is quite low. There are more items that about 95% of inspectors consider outside a regular inspection, including inspecting most things aren’t bolted down (installed inside the home) including electronics, low voltage lighting, space heaters, portable ac units, or specialized systems including water purifiers, alarm systems, etc.

Living in Kingsbridge

The Bronx is the only borough that is fully mainland US (the other is an island) and one of only two counties in the United States with a population of more than 1.5 million people. The popular New York City neighborhood is full of great restaurants, bars, shops, museums and other attractions, making it one of the hidden gems of New York. In addition, the district was the subject of a recent article about the best place in New York to go out with your children and arrange a date.

If you’re looking for a safe and affordable place to live in the Bronx, check out these five neighborhoods. To better understand the geographical area of the Bronx, you need to learn about the fascinating history of the boroughs. If you’re still unsure what a neighborhood is, read our New York moving guide to explain the New York boroughs.

The Bronx is a great option for families, as the borough typically offers more affordable housing than you can find here in the Bronx. Unlike other city programs dedicated to providing social housing to low-income residents in New York City, it does not have many affordable housing options, but it is still one of the most affordable districts.

The Bronx Public Schools are administered by the New York Department of Education in six different districts of the district. The Bronx is indeed a wonderful place to live, work and visit, but the journey time is nowhere near as long as in other neighborhoods. Throgs Neck tops the list of New York’s top 10 safest neighborhoods, and it is also home to the most high school students in New York, when it is in the top 30, according to a recent survey by the New York City Office of Community Development.

The Bronx has many unique aspects, and for one thing, it is the only borough in New York that has a particular article in its name. The Bronx is also home to Yankee Stadium, meaning Bronx residents are bursting with baseball pride. [Sources: 8]

If that’s not enough, Street Advisor has ranked Riverdale, Kingsbridge and Van Cortlandt Park as “Best Neighborhoods in the Bronx,” while DNA Info has ranked them among the top 10 neighborhoods in New York City. Located on the Hudson River, it is also one of the safest neighborhoods in the Bronx, making it an ideal place for families and retirees. Schools are also ranked high, so if you’re serious about beer, Bronx Alehouse is the place to be. If that’s not enough, safe neighborhoods are everywhere in the Bronx, but the two most popular for children and adults are Riverdale and Kingsbridge / Van Cortlandts Park.

If you are moving from Manhattan or Brooklyn, you may be surprised to find that rents in the Bronx are much lower and more affordable. The cost of an apartment is not too high compared to other neighborhoods in Manhattan, and you can live much closer to shops before they close than you could in Manhattan. Moreover, when compared to Manhattan, it is one of the most affordable places in New York City, with a median household income of $35,000 a year.

Although the cost of living in the Bronx is higher than the national average, it is still lower than in most other neighborhoods in New York.

The greenest borough is about a quarter of the Bronx’s open space, which is occupied by more than 1.5 million square feet of green space. The northeast Bronx and southeast Bronx can be further divided by the division of Pelham Parkway, and depending on where the neighborhood lines are drawn, Fordham is home to either Bronx Park or Yankees’ Bronx Zoo. In 1895, the city of New York City, the second largest city, Bronx Bay Park was annexed by New York City and is the second largest park in the United States with an area of about 1,500 hectares.

The first populated West Bronx was annexed to New York City in 1874 and is much more urban and has hilly terrain. It has escaped gentrification, but is isolated from the rest of the district because of its proximity to Manhattan and Bronx Bay Park. [Sources: 0]

It is one of the safest neighborhoods in the Bronx and the sixth safest neighborhood in New York City, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey. In fact, it is the second safest city in North America, behind Jersey City in New Jersey.

Many people choose to live in the Bronx not because they want to, but because of the quality of life. There are some neighborhoods in New York City, like Manhattan, where you feel safe to live outside of it. Those who want to live in Manhattan typically settle in the West Bronx. You have pandemics and the like, and a lot of people don’t live there because it’s too dangerous.

The Kingsbridge Home Inspection Experts

If you are looking for a professional, affordable, and reliable town home, condo, or home inspection in Kingsbridge, your search is over. We get that you have choices and we’d be happy to send one of our inspectors to inspect your property. We are committed to getting the job done right and making you happy. Call or email one of our staff (332-334-7701 or Request a Quote) to book an appointment.

Customer Reviews

Thank you so much for being there for us, answering our questions and coming back out for a re-inspection. I will not buy another HOME or recommend anyone else buy a home without first having your company inspect it!

Barry M., Kingsbridge

Family Therapist

Thanks for making our inspection so interesting, educational and fun; I had no idea that investigating our new home could be so informative.

Aria Y., Kingsbridge

Cosmetic sales rep

Request Quote

(332) 334-7701