If you are buying a home in New Jersey and looking for an NJ home inspector, you probably want to know what the home inspection report will actually look like. This is smart to ask because not all reports are the same. Some inspectors give you a thin checklist or a few quick notes. Others give you a long, detailed report with photos, explanations, and clear descriptions.
The difference is huge. The inspection itself only lasts a few hours, but the NJ home inspection report is what you keep. That report is what you use to negotiate, to plan repairs, and to really understand your house. If the report is vague or filled with fluff, it does not help you. A thorough report should give you answers, not more questions.
What a thorough NJ home inspection report should include
Here is what I believe a solid inspection report must have:
Summary of major defects. Buyers need to see the big items up front before they get buried in details.
Clear descriptions of every major system. Roof, foundation, structure, plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, insulation, ventilation, and interior. No system should be skipped.
Long and detailed. A proper NJ home inspection report is not 15 pages or 20 pages. Mine usually run 90 pages or more. That might sound long, but it takes that much detail to cover a whole house the right way.
Easy format to understand. Organized sections, headings, and photos showing exactly what was found.
Plain language. You should not need a construction background to figure it out. A thorough NJ home inspector writes in simple terms so buyers, lawyers, and contractors can all understand it.
No fluff. A strong report is not filled with filler or vague comments like “roof fair” or “plumbing satisfactory.” Every line should be there for a reason.
Weak reports versus thorough reports
I have seen weak reports that were less than 20 pages. Just a bunch of checkboxes with no photos, no real explanation, and no useful guidance. That kind of report does not protect the buyer.
A thorough NJ home inspection report looks very different. It is detailed, filled with photos, written in plain language, and clear about what needs to be done. It shows you the defects, explains why they matter, and helps you take the next step. That is what buyers actually need.
Why detail matters
Buying a house is stressful enough. The report should not add to the stress. A detailed NJ home inspection report takes away the guesswork. You can see the defect, you can read the explanation, and you understand the risk if it is not fixed.
I have had buyers tell me they showed my reports to contractors and the contractors appreciated the detail. It saved time, cleared up confusion, and made repairs easier. That is what a real report should do.
The bottom line
If you are buying a home, do not settle for a weak inspection report. A thorough NJ home inspection report should be long, detailed, organized, and written in plain language. It should give you a clear summary of major defects, easy-to-read descriptions, and photos that show exactly what was found. That is the kind of report that protects you when you are making one of the biggest purchases of your life.
I am John Martino, the owner of LookSmart Home Inspections. For more than two decades I have been inspecting homes all over New Jersey. I am a Board-Certified Master Inspector and have completed over 6,000 inspections. My style is simple — one inspection a day, a detailed report with clear photos, and honest explanations in plain language. I work for the buyer, not the agents or builders. You can learn more at LookSmart Home Inspections
Comments(3)