Laurelton – Home Inspections New York City

Home Inspections in Laurelton

Licensed, professional home inspectors serving the Laurelton Queens neighborhood, offering a broad range of services for our residential customers.

Home Inspection Services in Laurelton

If you’ve been around as long as I have, then you’ll recognize the need for home inspections in Laurelton. A quality 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 her weight in gold will be able to identify the primary components that could be ready to break on you as a new homeowner. A good inspector will narrow down the possibilities of system failure greatly.

Simply put, a home inspection is a formal detailed evaluation of the visible and accessible components and systems within a home (structure, plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, roof, etc.) and is intended to give the client a clearer understanding of the unit’s general state. Phone today to schedule an inspection at 332-334-7701 or Request a Quote. You’ll be glad you made the call.

Typically, the inspection is a buyer who requests a home inspection he or she is serious about purchasing. A home inspection provides data points 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 owner/seller may not be aware of. A home inspection is not an appraisal of the property’s value. The inspection does not point out any repair costs 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 client in the event an item inspected fails in the future.

Note: You can buy warranties for many items in the house.

Laurelton Home Inspection Specialists

Don’t consider a home inspection as a complete evaluation, but rather property evaluation on the day it is inspected, considering normal wear and tear of the home based on age and location. An inspection of the home can also include for extra of course Radon gas testing, water testing, energy audits, pest inspections, pool inspections and several other specific items that may be location-specific.

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

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

1. Serious flaws, such as large differential cracks in the home’s foundation; building out of plumb or level; decks not supported or installed properly, and others. These items are costly to fix, which we classify as items needing over two percent of the buy price to fix.

2. Things that could lead to serious flaws – i.e. a roof flashing leak that could get bigger, damaged down spouts that could cause backup and water intrusion, or a beam that was not tied to the structure properly.

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

Your property inspector should be able to advise you about what to do about these areas of concern. He may recommend an evaluation on serious matters – by certified and/or licensed professionals who are specialists in the defect areas. For example, your inspector will advise you call a licensed building engineer if they find areas of the home that are out of alignment, as this could indicate a major structural problem.

Home inspections are merely performed by a buyer once they sign a formal agreement, right?

This is false! As you will see whenever you continue reading, a home inspection may be used for ad hoc inspections in new construction, as a maintenance tool by a current home owner, a proactive technique by home owners to create their home more sellable, and by buyers wanting to determine the condition of the potential home.

Sellers, specifically, can take advantage of finding a home inspection before listing the home. Here are simply a few of the advantages for the seller:

· The seller will make repairs leisurely instead of being in a rush after the contract is signed.

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

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

· A home inspection will help the seller be more objective in regards to setting a fair price on the home.

Why Can't I Perform the Inspection Myself?

Of course you can. Unfortunately, most homebuyers lack the knowledge, skill, and objectivity necessary to inspect a house themselves. In other words, they think they know their homes inside and out, but they really don’t. Utilizing the services of a qualified home inspector, they gain a much better knowledge of the condition of the property; especially whether any items do not “abjectly affect the home’s living space” or “work as intended” or “warrant more attention” by a qualified specialist. Understand that the home inspector is a generalist and has broad experience in most of the major home systems.

Should I Be There at the Inspection?

It’s wise for you to personally be present through the inspection – whether you are a home buyer, seller, or home owner. With you there, the inspector can point out any defects and explain their importance in addition to explain maintenance features that will be helpful in the future. If you can’t be there, it’s no problem considering that the report you obtain will be very detailed. If you’re not present, then you need to be sure to ask your inspector to spell out anything that is unclear in the report. Also see the inspection agreement carefully which means you understand what is covered and what is not covered in the inspection. If there is a trouble with the inspection or the report, you must raise the issues quickly by calling the inspector, usually within 24 hours. If you would like the inspector to return after the inspection showing you things, this is arranged and is recommended, however, you could be charged extra since a second walkthrough not part of the inspection, unless, of course, you make that a part of your agreement

However, it’s very important to let the inspector do the job 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 report.

What About Condo or Townhome Inspections?

Since condos are individual units within a condo building, homeowners pay a monthly assessment fee to a also is responsible for maintaining the community boiler system or HVAC. In smaller condo buildings, many home owners have their own mini-boiler that suffices for the HVAC that a building would normally provide. Owners are responsible for everything inside the condominium including walls, electrical, appliances, plumbing, balconies, and porches. There are less items to inspect, but getting an inspection from someone who knows what they’re doing is still important. As you well know, Home Owners Associations are a fickle group to be brutally honest. And they’re all very different, even within a city. Ask us about it and we’ll be blunt with you. If we can inspect your condo, 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.

Laurelton Home Inspections Include

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

* Electrical panels, electrical system
* GFCI, outlets, electrical grounding
* Ducts and distribution systems
* Fireplaces
* Driveways
* Heat controls and pumps
* Kitchen appliances (stove top, oven, disposal, trash compactor, dishwasher, microwave)
* Laundry appliances (washer and dryer) if being sold with the house
* Heating controls and equipment
* Drainage and grading
* Eaves, soffits, and fascias
* Walls, doors, windows, patios, walkways
* Insulation and ventilation systems
* Kitchen floors, cabinets, counters
* Roofing system
* Air Conditioning and controls
* Indoor doors and hardware
* Ceilings, walls, floors
* Plumbing systems and fixtures
* Safety items such as egress, TPRV valves, railings, etc.
* Bricks, masonry
* Window systems
* Basement, crawlspaces, and foundation
* Garage walls, doors, and floors

Some tests which aren’t part of the standard inspection often incur an extra fee.

· Mold Screening
· Radon gas test
· Swimming Pool and Spa Inspection
· Septic System Inspection
· Gas Line Leak Test
· Water quality test
· Termite Inspection

Why Should I Purchase a Home Inspection?

Your new home has lots of systems and over 10,000 parts – from cooling and heating to ventilation and to appliances. When these systems and appliances work together, all is right with the world. Weak links in the machinery, however, can produce assorted problems leading to a loss in value and shortened component lifecycle. Would you purchase a used car without a reputable mechanic taking a look at it? Your home is far more complicated, and to truly have a thorough inspection that is documented in a written report arms you with substantial information which to make informed decisions.

What is NOT Included in a Home Inspection

Most people feel that everything is inspected complete on inspection day. This misunderstanding has caused many a homebuyer to be upset because of their inspector. The inspections we do are not exhaustive and there’s a valid reason for this.

In the event you hired individual licensed experts in heating and cooling, electrical, plumbing, engineering, etc. to examine the house, it’d take about 15 hours and run you around $2000! It is far more practical (and affordable) to get an established inspector who may have a general comprehension of home systems, knows things to search for, and can recommend further inspection by an experienced professional if needed. Your inspector is additionally following very specific guidelines issued by state or national organizations as he/she inspects your home. These guidelines are written to safeguard both your house and also the inspector.

For instance, we are told to NOT turn systems on if these were off at the time of the inspection (for safety reasons); we’re not able to move furniture (might harm something); banned to turn on water when it is off (possible flooding), and banned to kick by way of a sealed attic hatch (possible damage). The down-side with this practice is that by not operating a control, by not seeing below the furniture, and failing to get into the crawlspace or attic, we’re going to might miss identifying a problem. However, placed into perspective, the odds of missing something serious for this reason is reasonably low. There are many things that more than 90% of inspectors consider outside a normal inspection, and these include inspecting most things who are not bolted down (installed in the home) for example electronics, low voltage lighting, space heaters, portable air conditioning units, or specialized systems for example water purifiers, security alarms, etc.

Living in Laurelton

In Queens, New York, more people are looking for a home for sale as the development has led to a growing population. Today, Queens and its suburbs, such as Long Island City and Queensboro, are in phenomenal shape.

There are more residents in the Laurelton district than there are today, and they live here at least as long as they live here. Interestingly, the Laurelton neighborhood has the highest proportion of residents born in this country, according to a recent survey by the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. The LAURELTON neighborhoods must also have had a significant impact on quality of life and behavior, reflected in a wide range of social and economic indicators such as employment, housing, education, health care, employment and employment.

This is especially true when it comes to finding a neighborhood or neighborhood to live in, but this particular neighborhood in Queens, the Laurelton neighborhood, has so many great things to look out for along the way that it’s worth highlighting.

In almost every New York subway where it seems out of place, there is this cozy Queens neighborhood, just on the edge of Brooklyn. Woodlawn Heights, better known as WoodLawn, is a quiet neighborhood in the Bronx that feels like you’re completely out of New York. Trees line the streets, houses appeal to young professionals, families and retirees alike, and the small-town feel of the neighborhood. This is an area that has not been gentrified by the younger, hip generation, but what you find in this neighborhood still has those old streets lined with old school charm – lost in other Brooklyn neighborhoods, such as the old brick buildings and trees.

Although Laurelton is a little off the beaten track, there are several trains that run through the neighborhood, as well as lines that run between Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan. Although the journey to Manhattan is not necessarily short, trains run every 15 minutes to the St. George ferry terminal, making it a great option for those who live and work on the island, but not for the average New Yorker. Although there are lines that run through both Queens and Brooklyn, and between them, the journey to Manhattan is not as fast as in other areas such as Astoria.

Although Ridgewood has several shopping districts and quirky restaurants that offer plenty to do in the area, residents are close enough to commute to Manhattan, and the fast ride is no problem. If you are on a budget, you can make money in this area, but not as much as in other parts of the city.

Murray Hill has a more down-to-earth feel compared to the neighborhoods in lower Manhattan, making it a great place for families who want something different from the crowds and noise of nightlife. Most of the area is tree-lined sidewalks, and the properties here are built with houses. There are also many good restaurants and shops in the neighborhood, as well as a variety of shops and restaurants. How easy is it to buy property in this area and how much do you have to pay?

The East Village is perfect for those looking to get a taste of the bohemian New York scene, and there are a number of residential neighborhoods in the area that are filled with restaurants, shops, cafes, art galleries, theaters and more. The Country Club is popular with residents, although it lacks many of the amenities available in Lower Manhattan, such as restaurants and shops. Still, anyone looking to move out of the city into a more family-friendly area should consider Murray Hill and other areas of lower Manhattan.

QUIET Suburb Rosedale is located in the heart of New York City, just blocks from the Hudson River, and it’s no wonder that this Staten Island neighborhood is popular with New York City residents looking for a safe, affordable, and fun place outside of Manhattan. The Great Kills neighborhood is a favorite destination for Manhattan transplants because it has a close community, great restaurants, shops, cafes, theaters and more. This favorite neighborhood of New Yorkers in New Jersey, the West Village, is perfect for those who want to have something of everything in one of the most popular neighborhoods in the city.

The residents who spell out the area around the Throggs’ neck enjoy the many competitions decided by the neighborhood’s residents, such as the New York State Fair and the Brooklyn Bridge Festival. Like most neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Bay Ridge loves parades and street parties so that residents can meet and mingle with their neighbors from across the city.

Laurelton Home Inspection Experts

If you’re looking for a reliable, professional, and affordable townhome, condo, or home inspection in Laurelton, your search is over. We get that you have choices and we’d be honored to send out one of our inspectors to inspect your property. We’re committed to getting the job done right and making you a satisfied customer. E-mail or phone one of our staff (332-334-7701 or Request a Quote) to book an appointment.

Customer Reviews

Good, detailed report. We're passing on this opportunity mainly because the owner will not budge on any of the items that need to be fixed. Plenty of homes on the market. Will be using you again. Thanks.

Renni M., Laurelton

Orthopedic Surgeon

Thanks a million, guys. Very helpful and informative. Got what I needed from the report. Thanks again.

Brenda S., Laurelton

Salesforce Specialist

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(332) 334-7701