Furnace exhausting into attic
Many people think that because a home is brand new there is no reason to get a home inspection prior to closing. The builder must have made sure everything was properly installed and in working order. However, this is not always the case. In fact, we often inspect new builds that have more issues than older homes.
The quality of a new home construction can vary significantly from builder to builder. Additionally, most builders use several different sub-contractors to install the various components of a home. Builders, particularly in large sub-divisions, are on a deadline. Therefore, it is not uncommon to find that corners have been cut to get the home ready to be sold as quickly as possible. Lower quality materials may be used to cut costs and while they may be functional initially, could be more prone to failure.
Scheduling a home inspection before moving into a newly constructed home holds the builder can help identify defects early on. Issues related to plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and the home structure that go unnoticed can have disastrous affects within the first few years of occupancy. It is also much easier for the builder and the buyer to have defects repaired prior to the home being occupied.
New construction sewer scope
Most builders give a one-year warranty on materials and labor. This gives the buyer a short time frame in which the builder will provide repairs to defective materials and installations. Scheduling an additional inspection a few months prior to the end of your warranty period is also important as some system issues may become noticeable or even fail during this first year.
We have located plumbing leaks, improper HVAC venting, sewer line concerns, and many more issues during new construction home inspections. In addition to these more significant issues, we frequently highlight cosmetic concerns that should be addressed to ensure your new home looks and feels new.
Framing lumber is often installed with a relatively high moisture content and typically shrinks as it dries. Minor drywall cracks, nail pops, and squeaky floors often develop quickly as the framing reaches its moisture equilibrium. Identifying these defects prior to the end of a home warranty prevents the homeowner from having to hire their own contractor to make repairs. At Nonprofit Home Inspections, we offer a discount for warranty inspections if we provided the initial inspection.
The quality of workmanship varies greatly in the building industry. We encourage buyers to fully investigate builders prior to purchase by researching online reviews and testimonials. When buying a new home, we highly recommend hiring a qualified independent inspector to help ensure the safety of the home’s occupants and to help protect your investment.