Middlesex County is one of New Jersey’s most geographically and architecturally diverse counties — spanning dense urban neighborhoods in New Brunswick and Perth Amboy to mid-century suburban development in Edison, Woodbridge, and South Brunswick, to rural and semi-rural properties in the county’s western and southern sections. The inspection findings vary meaningfully by municipality and era of construction, but several patterns appear consistently across the county’s housing stock.
Michael Del Greco has been inspecting Middlesex County homes since 1993.
Mid-Century Electrical — Aluminum Wiring Throughout Edison, Woodbridge, and South Plainfield
Middlesex County’s major residential development period was the 1950s through 1970s, corresponding directly to the era of aluminum branch circuit wiring in residential construction. Edison, Woodbridge, and South Plainfield — communities where mid-century development was concentrated — have a very high incidence of aluminum wiring in homes built between 1965 and 1975. This is Michael’s most consistent Middlesex County electrical finding in these communities. Full remediation requires either complete rewiring or CO/ALR-rated devices at every connection point throughout the home.
Pre-War Stock in New Brunswick and Perth Amboy
New Brunswick and Perth Amboy contain significant pre-war housing — row houses, two-families, and single-family homes built in the early 20th century where knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized steel supply lines, and cast iron drain systems are the norm. In the oldest properties, these systems may be 80 to 100 years old and are at or past the end of their functional service life.
Radon
Middlesex County has measurable radon potential throughout, with some variation by location and geology. Michael recommends radon testing for every Middlesex County home purchase. He is a licensed NJ Radon Measurement Technician (License #MET10521, since 1993).
Septic Systems — Western and Southern Municipalities
The western and southern sections of Middlesex County — South Brunswick, East Brunswick’s rural sections, Cranbury, and Milltown — include a significant number of properties served by private septic systems. Septic system inspections are strongly recommended for any Middlesex County property on private septic. Drain field condition and remaining useful life vary significantly and cannot be determined from a standard home inspection alone.
Flood Zone Considerations
Properties near the Raritan River and its tributaries — including portions of New Brunswick, South Amboy, and Perth Amboy — are in or near FEMA-designated flood zones. Buyers of properties in these areas should verify flood zone designation and insurance requirements before closing.
Oil Heat and Underground Storage Tanks
Pre-1980 Middlesex County homes across the county have a meaningful oil heat history. Michael recommends an underground oil tank scan for any property built before 1985 where oil heat was historically used. Edison and Woodbridge, with their large stock of mid-century homes, have a particularly high concentration of properties where buried tank scans are warranted.
Schedule Your Middlesex County Home Inspection
Call (973) 812-5100 between 8 AM and 8 PM on business days, or 8 AM to 5 PM on weekends. Michael serves all Middlesex County municipalities.
Accurate Inspections, Inc. | 56 Woodland Drive, Woodland Park, NJ 07424 | Inspecting NJ Homes Since 1993 | NJ Licensed Home Inspector GI0121
