Ewing, N.J.

This is a foundation wall for a new kitchen addition.  The cracking in the wall is due to the unevenness of the footing. In the pictures below, note the filler pieces installed between the block in an attempt to make it level and the added cement on top of the poured footing. This foundation wall will have to be removed, new footings and foundation installed. Was there a permit or inspections on this renovation? How did the municipal inspector miss this? This will be an expensive repair for someone. Don't let this happen to you! 

Call now and be ABSOLUTE'ly sure about the home you are buying! 

 Raritan Twp., N.J.

Here's how one home owner attached a deck to the house.

The slab is cracking to the point that part of it may pull away from the house. The foundation is also cracked.

This deck will need major repairs as will the slab and foundation.  Do you think the homeowner had a permit to install this deck?? Don't let this happen to you.

Have that home inspected and be ABSOLUTE'ly sure it's the home you want to buy!

Manahawkin, N.J.

 Here are some pictures of a foundation and main beam support in a crawl space.

The real estate agent said this is normal here. Do you think it's normal??? Would you purchase a home with this damage?

This damage is located in a corner of the foundation wall and was not visible from the outside. Sooner or later this part of the house will settle and cause major damage to the house inside and out.

Have that home inspected and be Absolute'ly sure you want to buy it!

Below is an unedited email sent to the buyer by the real estate agent involved in the sale.

HI WALTER....
I'LL BE SENDING YOU YOUR CHECK AND THE EXTRA $100 BY CHECK TODAY.  THE OWNERS ARE OF COURSE FIXING THE PROBLEM WHICH IS NOT A STRUCTURAL DEFECT AND DOES NOT SUPPORT ANY OF THE WEIGHT OF THE HOME AND IS VERY SIMPLE TO FIX....
NEW WATERFRONT HOMES WITH CRAWL SPACES IN THE AREA ARE BUILT THE SAME WAY....
THE OWNERS ARE HAVING A STATE CERTIFIED HOME INSPECTOR FAMILIAR WITH WATERFRONT HOMES DO A STRUCTURAL INSPECTION BEFORE AND AFTER THE WORK IS DONE

Be careful of real estate agents if your purchasing a waterfront home in Manahawkin!

EAST BRUNSWICK, MIDDLESEX COUNTY

Here is how a contractor installed a sill on top of the foundation wall for an addition. The sill and the entire addition to this home is resting on pieces of slate and wooden shims.

The slate can deteriorate over time and the wooden shims may rot or be damaged by termites causing the sill to collapse onto the top of the foundation wall. If this happens, damage to the upper floor should be expected.

The sill is also not secured to the top of the foundation as is required by code.

Repairs will be necessary and expensive.

 Have that home inspected and be ABSOLUTE'ly sure it's the home you want to buy!

SOUTHAMPTON TWP., BURLINGTON COUNTY

Conditions found in a crawl space. Water has been entering this crawl for a long time.

Staining on the foundation wall and standing water suggest high levels of water at times.

A new gas fired heating system was just installed in this crawl. With these conditions how long do you think it will last?

If this water penetration is not corrected mold, insects and rotted wood should be expected.

Don't take any chances. Have that home inspected and be Absolute'ly sure its the home you want to live in!

SOUTHAMPTON TWP., BURLINGTON COUNTY

These are pictures of an oil tank and contaminated soil removal next to a foundation wall.

The removal of this tank and contaminated soil may have compromised the integrity of the foundation supporting an addition. Also, this addition did not have any footing to support the foundation.

Before this hole can be backfilled with clean soil it should be reviewed by a structural engineer to determine if additional support is necessary.

Don't take any chances. Have that home inspected and be Absolute'ly sure its the home you want to live in!