Spotlight on Carlo Vitale | Hamilton Post

A home inspection during the course of a home sale is an important step. A major purchase like a home, takes due diligence.

One part is the discovering the true condition of the home that is about to be purchased. That takes trained inspectors to have hard looks at what we might overlook during our excitement to purchase a new home for our family.

Carlo Vitale founded an inspection company in 2011 and recently expanded both his services and facility size by relocating in Hamilton. Vitale Inspections has remodeled the former PBA Hall on Klockner Road into a modern office and professional services building. Besides the office spaces and equipment storage needed for inspections, there is classroom space to host continuing education events and professional training classes for all in the home sales business.

The growing home inspection business is one thing that Vitale is a part of. Another is the charity organization he founded that focuses on giving back to the community in simple ways that can make a difference for all involved.

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Growing up in the Fords section of Woodbridge, Vitale was faced with some serious medical issues from a very young age.

“I spent a lot of time in hospitals, enduring 16 surgeries before the age of 12. It was a challenge and thank goodness all turned out well.”

In 2019, Vitale and wife Katy began Happy Smiles, a nonprofit organization with the simple mission of “Being committed to making people happy. Even if it’s just for a moment.”

The Happy Smiles board and volunteers collect and distribute clothing, food and toys to those in need year round.

“I think helping others came to me at a very young age, both from my family and also from the fact that I spent a lot of time in hospitals as a patient. It was there that I saw what a kind word or a small gesture can really lift people up.”

When Happy Smiles visits area schools, they do what is call a Care Plane initiative. Students are asked to write a need, feeling, thought, affirmation or a need to unburden on a piece of red paper. The papers are folded into airplanes and are shared by flying them. The thoughts are then discussed and positive discussions ensue.

The Happy Smiles board of 20 consists of Vitale family, friends and professional associates.

“We put on about 20 events, visits or other experiences each year, and we love it. No one’s life is perfect we all need help. Lifting up others is the best exercise. We work with area schools, The Miracle League and Mill Hill Child and Family Development Center. We distribute, food, clothing, funds and school backpacks. We have funded more than 100 charities and we are still growing.”

The acts of kindness Vitale finds cathartic and enjoyable. “If I am down, which we can all get, I feel better when I can help others. When you bring a smile we all feel better,” he says.

The Happy Smiles foundation supports the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, NAMI Mercer, Association for Bladder Exstrophy Community, Breast Cancer Resource Center of Princeton and many others.

Happy Smiles is in the midst of a children’s book drive with the goal to collect 1000 books for the Dr. Seuss Day, Read Across America Day on March 31st.

Major fundraisers for Happy Smiles are their annual Golf Outing on May 15 at Mountain View Golf course in Ewing and an annual Gala in September. Last year’s gala theme was Willy Wonka, with Vitale playing the title part.

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Vitale’s father was a contractor, a framer, building homes in developments in the area. The family moved into a home built by the senior Vitale in South Brunswick while Carlo was in high school.

“I grew up in construction. Learning so much from my dad and his associates. Their experience in the construction methods and how homes are built really laid the foundation for me and my later business.”

“I learned from my mom to be who you are and dedicate time and effort to helping others. I also learned as one does in an Italian family how to make sausage, tomato sauce and wine. We still join together and make these today. Delicious,” he says.

The home inspection is critical to the finalization of the home purchase process. The home buyer initiates the home inspection to make sure all is in order and that the home is sound. If there are needed repairs or structural issues the inspection report will report this.

The home will be inspected for foundation issues, roof life and viability, exterior soundness, electrical system, heating and air conditioner functionality and plumbing system. All appliances, doors, windows, insulation, basements and crawlspaces are inspected.

Fireplace and chimney inspections, wood destroying insects, radon testing, stucco, sewer line clarity and lead are other items that are inspected. An oil tank sweep using ground penetrating radar will insure that an unused oil tank is not present or if one is and will need removal.

These are things that the average home buyer may be aware of, but not skilled enough to determine the degree of potential issues.

“Homebuyers and some realtors will not see what we see. We are educated, trained and certified home inspectors. We are not emotional about the home. The current owners sometimes live with serious issues that will fail an inspection. The new owners may use the home in a different way, so these issues must be remedied.”

After the home inspection, the detailed reports are shared with the prospective home buyers and become part of the negotiation process. The Certificate of Occupancy inspection which is performed by the municipality where the home is located is performed separately and may be done prior to or after the buyers inspection.

“We of course find major issues, but also a slew of minor easy to rectify issues. We find GFCI receptacles which are inoperative, water heater issues, exterior drainage issues. These are common finds during inspections.”

Though he started as a one-man-gang, Vitale has around 20 people on staff now. Eight full time inspectors, 2 full time chimney specialists, three office personnel, and three handymen in the Home Services division. Many are longtime employees that Vitale considers his “work family.”

“We also have four growth, business development positions. These people seek out opportunities and generate sales for the business. They work in the areas we cover, North, Central and South New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. These four make it all happen.”

The newly renovated office space will have a grand opening in late March or early April. Besides the offices for the staff there is a large central room. In part designed with the help of Kimberly Heljenek and Kellie O’Heron of 4Th House Design.

This space will be able to seat 35-40 for continuing education classes and other learning based educational programs for both realtors and prospective home buyers. It will be modern and comfortable for the learning based activities.

“We feel education is the key to making sound decisions and knowing the facts about how the inspection works and how it impacts the home sale is vital.”

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Balancing work, family and community is a role that Vitale relishes. He has growth on all fronts.

“I know we are all busy. Taking the time for my family, work family and community is something I love. We really try to be supportive of all. It really makes me feel good.”

Carlo is married to wife Katy, who is a guidance counselor at Nottingham High School. The Vitales are parents to twins, Valentina and Leo, age 8. They live in Yardville.

An older sister and younger brother, along with his parents, cousins, aunts and uncles rounded out the large family. “We were very close and still are,” he says.