New Construction Inspections
We will attempt to provide a comprehensive answer to the subject of whether or not you require a new building inspection. We will even discuss whether or not you should have a third-party inspection performed while the home is being constructed. A phased inspection is what this is referred to as.
So, What Exactly Is a Home Examination?
A home inspection is a limited, non-invasive evaluation of a home's interior and exterior components. Home inspectors often search for major, maintenance, and minor items that could be related to safety, insurance, or just to protecting your investment during their inspection.
Here is a basic rundown of what they will be looking for:
Exterior improvements include siding, windows, grading, driveways, and walkways.
Interior finishes include walls, floors, ceilings, and cabinets.
Drains, water supply, and a water heater are all included in the plumbing.
Ductwork, Air Handler, and A/C are all terms used to describe air conditioning.
Roof: its condition, damage, approximate age, and flashing. Roof: its condition, damage, and age.
Electrical: wiring, electrical panels, and outlets are all included.
Sinks and appliances are included in the price of a kitchen.
Bathroom fixtures include tubs, sinks, showers, and vents.
Insulation, structural components, and leaks in the crawlspace.
Insulation, trusses, and roof leaks are all issues in the attic.
Now that we've established what a house inspection is, let's look at some of the most typical mistakes people make when purchasing a new built home.
Typical Problems Observed in New Construction
It turns out that new constructed residences are plagued with numerous problems. This is primarily due to the large number of laborers and third-party contractors who have come onto the land. Furthermore, because there are so many new construction homes being built, there aren't enough construction managers to simply inspect every aspect of the home while it is being built.
As a result, below are some of the most frequently encountered features in new built homes.
Roof Installations Done Inadequately. Most of the time, inappropriate installation is done with flashing and vents as well as with shingles and tiles, among other things.
Insulation is not present. Insulation is one of the last things that new home builders install, making it one of the most ignored components of the construction process.
The framing is a mess. Because there is so much framing, it can be difficult to inspect it thoroughly. In addition, there are a large number of unskilled laborers filling vacant posts.
The foundations are shaky. To be completely honest, this is one of the worst of the worst since it can be a very expensive cure. It happens a lot more frequently than you might think.
All new construction, on the other hand, must adhere to building codes.
Yes, that's correct. They do, in fact.
People, on the other hand, make mistakes. Also, contrary to popular belief, code inspectors do not conduct a full inspection of a building's structure.
A lot of the time, code inspectors only take a cursory look at the status of the construction project.
The following is an interesting fact: most code inspectors do their roof inspections from the street.
Okay, I think you get the picture. You require a house inspection for a new construction project. But what happens after that?
Building Inspections - Inspections performed as your new home is being constructed
Getting house inspections during the construction of your home is a smart idea if you are having it built in phases.
Phased inspections are inspections that take place at several stages of the house inspection procedure.
Pre-Pour Inspection is the first phase.
This phase occurs prior to the pouring of the foundation.
Because once the concrete is poured, there is no turning back, this is one of the most crucial phases to inspect.
Home inspectors will normally search for a variety of issues, however the following is a basic explanation of what they will look for:
Footings Foundation Moisture barrier Rebar Plumbing A/C chase Footings Foundation
Phase 2: Inspection of the Drywall Prior to Painting
This phase involves an examination before to the installation of the drywall, which is another essential inspection period.
Plumbing, electrical, air conditioning ducts, and most crucially the frame and structural parts of the home are all checked by a home inspector who can see through walls.
Many house purchasers are made to believe that home inspectors have the ability to see through walls, but this is unfortunately a fallacy. The only method for home inspectors to see within the walls is to schedule an inspection before the drywall is completed!
The absence of fire-proofing materials is one of the most prevalent violations discovered during this assessment! When we were kids, we discovered that cardboard could be used as a fire block. A word of caution: cardboard is not fireproof.
Phase 3 consists of new construction.
Despite the fact that this may be regarded the final phase, there is one more inspection that you should consider following this.
Typically, the inspection process for new construction takes place near the end of your final walkthrough with the builder.
Furthermore, the final inspection is often performed before you are granted possession.
During this time, a home inspector will look over the minor details of the home that are important, such as door stoppers, cupboards, and shower grout, with the goal of finding any problems.
Home inspectors will not overlook the more substantial items as well! They will still wander around on your roof, climb through your attic, and walk around the outside of your house.
Phase 4: Inspection of the warranty
It is the warranty inspection that brings the new construction inspection process to a close.
After the guarantee period has expired, most home builders are no longer liable for any problems that may arise in the future.
As a result, home inspectors provide a warranty inspection that takes place one to two months before your guarantee expires!
This is to ensure that the air conditioning is still functioning properly, that the plumbing is not leaking, and that the roof is squared away.
Defects are still discovered during warranty checks. Actually, it is one of the most straightforward methods of identifying flaws because the house has been subjected to the rigors of mother nature!
Summary: Home inspections on newly constructed homes are becoming increasingly popular.
As the demand for new construction houses grows, I believe the quality of new homes will continue to deteriorate, making it nearly mandatory to have a new construction home inspection performed.