Lead Home Inspector
Owner/Operator
Ricky Caposiena is a licensed NJ Home Inspector. He has been in the fire service as a fire fighter and fire officer for over 16 years. With that experience alone he sees and continues to learn different dynamics of Building Construction and the utilities of homes and how they are built and structured. Furthermore, His family has been in the construction business since 1984. Currently Ricky is the owner and operator of Caposiena And Sons Construction who specializes in Demolition and Debris Removal. Ricky took it upon himself to continue to add a service business to clients and future home owners as a licensed home inspector. Ricky deals with the public day in and day out and with customers on a daily basis. Ask anyone that used Caposiena And Sons before, they never steered anyone in the wrong direction. As a Licensed Home Inspector, Ricky wants to continue that same aspect to the future home owner and steer them in the right direction for their future.
Home Inspections
What is a Home Inspection?
A certified home inspector will take a close look at all functional aspects of the house to determine its safety as a dwelling. The home inspector will test the operational status of all major systems – plumbing, electrical, heating, and cooling – and check the roof, the foundation, and the home’s exterior. The inspector's job is not to fix or warn you about potential issues but to take note of the house’s current condition at that point in time and any safety or repair concerns.
When does the home inspection happen during the buying process?
When the seller accepts your offer to purchase the home, the agreement becomes a pending sale. During the next couple of weeks, your lender will want to verify the value and condition of the house. This is when the lender orders an appraisal, and in some cases, an inspection – or. You may choose to hire a home inspector yourself if the bank does not require an inspection.
If you’re buying a home in a competitive housing market and are up against multiple offers, you may be tempted to waive the home inspection to make your offer stronger. However, this is almost never a good idea. While the house may look in fine condition to you, it’s what’s beyond the surface, or factors that you don’t know are problematic, that can cause the biggest issues.
What do home inspectors look for?
The home inspector looks for defects in the home that would affect the integrity of the structure or the safety of the house. This is strictly a visual examination, informed by training and experience. The inspector will not look inside the plumbing, sewer system, or behind walls, and won’t move items away from the foundation. Home inspectors report on what can be seen, not what can be found.
Home inspectors often follow a checklist of items to inspect, starting at the roof and moving down to the foundation. A home inspection checklist usually includes:
Attic
Gutters and downspouts
Exterior siding, paint or stucco
Electrical panel, power outlets, and light switches
HVAC system - thermostats, furnace or hot water heating, air conditioner, and ventilation
Plumbing fixtures, faucets, and water heater
Appliances
Floors, walls, and ceilings
Windows and doors
Stairs, steps, and railings
Porches and balconies
Walkways and driveways
Basement
Garage
What is Radon?
Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. Radon gas is inert, colorless and odorless. Radon is naturally in the atmosphere in trace amounts. Outdoors, radon disperses rapidly and, generally, is not a health issue. Most radon exposure occurs inside homes, schools and workplaces. Radon gas becomes trapped indoors after it enters buildings through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Indoor radon can be controlled and managed with proven, cost-effective techniques.
Breathing radon over time increases your risk of lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Nationally, the EPA estimates that about 21,000 people die each year from radon-related lung cancer. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths.
You can take steps to reduce and control the amount of radon in your home. Testing is the only way to determine radon levels. Have your home tested by a professional. If radon levels are high, contact a certified radon service professional to fix your home. Usually, radon problems are fixed using an underground ventilation system or by increasing the rate of air changes in the building.
Inspection Costs
- Condo/Townhome: $400
- Single Family Home: $500 (up to 2,500 sq ft)
- Single Family Home: $650 (up to 3,500 sq ft)
- Single Family Home: Call for pricing(Over 3,500 sq ft)
- Multi-Family Home (2-4 units): Call for pricing
- Commercial Inspection: Call for pricing
- PRE-LISTING CONSULTATION INSPECTIONS Starting at $400
- Radon Testing $150.00 (Outside Company Additional Mileage Charges may apply)
- Oil Tank Sweep $350 (Outside Company Additional Mileage Charges may apply)