Draft ยท pending Mike's edits
Mike has been in South Jersey real estate for over a decade. He started by buying a single rental, then another, then enough that he founded TerraVestra Property Management to run them properly. Side by Side came next, after one too many $500-per-unit lead inspection bills and one too many vendors who couldn't keep up with the cycle.
He got certified himself, started inspecting his own properties, then realized other PMs and investors had the same problem he did. Side by Side started as the inspection arm for TerraVestra. It outgrew that role within a year.
Today Mike runs both companies. TerraVestra manages rentals across South Jersey. Side by Side inspects, remediates, and maintains rentals across the same geography, plus statewide for lead work.
License numbers available on request for government contract work or any owner who wants to verify credentials before scheduling.
The questions PMs and investors ask Mike most often, with his actual answers. Less polished than the FAQ on the service pages. More like a phone call.
Why are you so much cheaper than the other NJ inspectors?
I built the company from the owner's side. Inspections are most of the calendar, the routes are geographic, and the lab logistics are dialed. No franchise fees, no broker margin. The price covers the work plus a fair profit. If holding the price ever forces me to cut corners, I'll raise it. Until then, this is what it costs.
Are you the actual inspector, or is it a subcontractor?
For most inspections, I'm on site personally. For the rest, it's a certified inspector I trained, working off the same checklist I use. Side by Side doesn't sub out lead work to people I haven't trained.
My building was lead safe in 2023. Do I need to re-inspect?
Probably yes. Lead Safe certificates renew at tenant turnover or every three years, whichever comes first. Lead Free is the only certificate that exempts you from the cycle. Send me the address and the prior certificate date and I'll tell you exactly where you stand.
Can you remediate based on another inspector's report?
Yes. Any NJ-certified Lead Inspector / Risk Assessor's report is fine. I don't require you to use Side by Side for the inspection just because you want us to remediate. That's a frustrating policy a lot of contractors have.
What's the catch with the $125 price?
There isn't one. Same certification, same report, same Lead Safe or Lead Free certificate. The catch, if there is one, is scheduling. We book a week or two out for non-PM customers. PMs with active accounts get priority slots.
Do you actually run TerraVestra too?
Yes, both. Side by Side and TerraVestra are separate companies, same ownership. TerraVestra is the property management firm. Side by Side is the inspection, remediation, and maintenance arm. The two together cover most of what a South Jersey rental owner needs from a vendor.
For inspections, hit the request form. For anything more involved (large portfolio, government contract, advisory), call the line.