Closer lookhelps buyersavoid makingcostly errorsBy ALLISON PRIESSTAFF WRITER

You think you found yourdream home.

But before you plunk down ayear’s salary and sign your lifeaway, someone like MichaelDel Greco, owner of AccurateInspections, can tell youwhether the house you’re look-ing at is really a nightmare indisguise.

“I get a sense of satisfactionin honestly disclosing toclients what problems thereare with a home and findinghazards that maybe couldinjure someone,” he said.

Del Greco conducts an aver-age of 10 pre-purchase homeinspections per week throughhis 10-year-old home-basedbusiness, generating about$300,000 in sales per year.

Accurate Inspections wasestablished by Del Greco in1993. Previously, he spentseven years working for aClifton-based constructioncompany where he was a proj-ect manager on residential andcommercial renovations.

“I would get called in torepair things the home inspec-tors had found,” Del Grecosaid. “Usually they’d fix theminor things and miss themajor ones.”

The 42-year-old WestPaterson resident, dressed inkhaki slacks and a red golfshirt, crawls, prods, and feelshis way through a home look-ing for major problems withits structure, basement,kitchen, roof, exterior, and

electrical, heating, andplumbing systems. “Then thebuyer attempts to negotiatecorrective actions for the sellerto take, a reduction in theprice, or they can accept ahome as is,” he said.

Home inspections are notrequired by law, but “a lot ofattorneys require it so thehomeowner knows whatthey’re getting into ahead oftime,” Del Greco says.

Q. Who are your clients?My clients are home buyers.

Not Realtors and not homesellers.

Q. How do you attractclients?

Most clients are referredfrom other clients or throughtheir attorney. And I do someadvertising.

Q. What types of buildingsdo you inspect?

Almost all of it is residential.I do a little commercial, butI’m very picky. I won’t do any-thing with potential environ-mental problems.

Q. What areas do youserve?

I cover all of Bergen and Passaiccounties and areas in Essex andMorris counties. What I try to do

is basically a half-hour radiusfrom West Paterson.

Q. What are some of themore common problems yourun into?

One of the most common isan electrical hazard or prob-lem. It’s simple things likerunning a wire without a con-nector, the wrong size circuitbreaker, or evidence of waterin the electrical box. All ofthese things can electrocutesomeone or cause a fire.

Q. How much do yourinspections cost?

A standard home inspectionwith radon measurements, atermite inspection, and ameasurement for carbonmonoxide is about $550 to$600, for an average-sizehome. Some people also need awell test, which is $500, andan open pit septic inspection,which can run from $300 to$500.

Q. Do home inspectorshave to be licensed?

As of May 29, 2003 – yes.The State Department ofConsumer Affairs implement-ed a licensing process based oncomplaints about unqualified,uninsured amateurs. I think

licensing will create a newbreed of honest home inspec-tors, because in order to have alicense you have to have insur-ance. In order to get insurance,you can’t have a lot of claimsagainst you.

Q. What are the require-ments for licensing?

If you don’t meet the experi-ence required, you have to takea 300-hour class and pass anational home inspectors’exam. Then you have to obtain$500,000 in errors and omis-sions insurance, [and] perform50 inspections under thesupervision of a licensed homeinspector and 250 inspectionsas an employee of a state-licensed home inspector.

Q. Is the business seasonal?When I first started it was

slow from November toFebruary, and that’s prettymuch still the case. I’m busiestbetween March andSeptember, and Saturday andSunday are the busier days ofthe week.

Q. Do homeowners try todisguise problems?

Yes. I’ve seen freshly paintedbasements where they’re try-ing to cover water damage.

One person applied “non-asbestos” stickers to theirpipes – but the stickers had nodirt on them and the pipeswere filthy.

Q. Is the business com-petitive?

There are probably 400 full-time home inspectors in thestate and only so many housesin the state that get sold.

Q. Does the economyaffect the business?

I’ve had 10 good years. Butthere might be some economicimpact from price shopping.

Q. What are your futureplans?

To keep making clients happy.

BUSINESS Q&A

Home inspector has safety in mind

NEW JERSEY REPORTNEW JERSEY REPORT

THOMAS E. FRANKLIN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

“I get a sense of satisfaction in honestly disclosing to clients what problemsthere are with a home and finding hazards that maybe could injure someone,”says Michael Del Greco, owner of Accurate Inspections.

Reproduced with permission of The Record (Bergen County, NJ)

B-3

WEDNESDAYAPRIL 30, 2003

Accurate Inspections, Inc. • Tel. 973-812-5100 • www.AccurateInspections.com56 Woodland Drive • West Paterson, NJ 07424 • License # GI121

inside cover middle panel fold in panel

– the home inspection company youcan trust and rely on for your securityand peace of mind.

With Accurate Inspections…

• All inspections are performed under the direct supervision ofMichael Del Greco – founder andpresident of Accurate Inspections – by highly trained, experienced andqualified professionals – dedicatedto providing the most accurate andcomprehensive home inspection in the industry.

• Over the past decade AccurateInspections has been the choice of home buyers throughout NorthernNew Jersey – performing thousandsof home inspections – with AccurateInspections the Client is the top priority.

• Every inspection is customized to meet the needs and concerns of each individual homeowner,while delivering the highest qualityservice, technical knowledge andcommunication skills.

• As a member of the American Societyof Home Inspectors (ASHI),I am committed to upholding thestrictest of standards, plusparticipation in a program ofcontinuing education.

• Our knowledgeable and friendly staff maintains office hours designedfor customer convenience, 8 am to 8pm, seven days a week – so you willnever need to leave a voicemail.

• We provide a detailed and customized inspection report and key sheets at the conclusion ofevery inspection. A typed copy ofall handwritten comments andnotations are mailed, e-mailed orfaxed directly to the Client, theirattorney – and if requested,to the Realtor – at no charge to the Client, the very next day. Nowaiting for your report!

• Our reports clearly indicate thedefect, the implications of the defect and what to do about it.

• Our services include homeinspection, radon measurement,

private well testing,and the scheduling

of lead paint,asbestos and

septic testing,and wooddestroying

insect inspections.

INTRODUCING ACCURATE INSPECTIONS, INC.

973-812-5100www.AccurateInspections.com

ACCURATE INSPECTIONS – WE PROVIDE QUALITY AND RELIABLE INSPECTIONS YOU CAN TRUST AND RELY ON.

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Accurate Inspections,Inc.

56 Woodland Drive • W

est Paterson,NJ 07424

Tel.973-812-5100 • Fax.

973-812-6342w

ww.AccurateInspections.com

Specializing in Pre-purchase Home Inspections

back panel coverfold over panel

Home Inspector License #GI121•

Certified Member ofAmerican Society of Home Inspectors

(ASHI) Member #102273•

973-812-5100www.AccurateInspections.com

“We have put our Clients first since 1993.”

• We are sure you will appreciateour prompt, courteous service and our professional manner. You, the Client, are always ourfirst concern.

• We perform home inspectionsthroughout Northern New Jersey

• Member of the AmericanSociety of Home Inspectors

• State of New Jersey HomeInspector Licensing CourseInstructor

• Our services include homeinspection, radon measurement,private well testing, and thescheduling of lead paint,asbestos and septic testing,and wood destroying insectinspections.

• Professional Home and Building Analysis

Feel free to call for your price quote or with questions.

For more information pleasevisit our web site atwww:AccurateInspections.com

Michael Del Greco, PresidentAccurate Inspections, Inc.

(973) 812-5100

AccurateInspections, Inc.

“We have put our Clients first since 1993.”

FIRST CLASS MAIL

U.S.POSTAGE PAIDACCURATE

INSPECTIONS,INC.

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