New home inspection advice tips

The main reason for setting up a pre-construction meeting with the builder is to create the awareness that as a concerned new home purchaser, you will be participating in self-inspections and monitoring their building practices. It is very important that you do not present yourself as being interfering or aggressive, as you do not want to limit your access to the construction site. Make sure to make it very clear that you will not interfere with the production schedule or tradesmen, but will report any deficiencies or variances. Make an effort to meet the site-superintendent or foreman. If they know that you will be monitoring their construction practices, they may take more notice of your house. Do not take an offensive or sarcastic attitude with the site-super as most builders have the right to keep you off the job site. Sometimes the house is not yours until the deal has closed. The site foreman has enough headaches with the trades each day, they do not need one from the homeowner. Point out certain concerns in a way that is not aggressive, so that they will be appreciative of your observations. Remember it is not your intention to embarrass or humble the foreman, but to get the deficiency corrected to your satisfaction. There are 3 critical site inspections that you should request with your builder. The 1st inspection is at the footing stage. This is where your new house begins. A bad start here and the problems transfer right up through into the finishing stages of your home. The 2nd inspection should be set up just before the drywall is installed. This is very important because you will be able to inspect the framing, insulation, mechanical and electrical work. It is the best opportunity for you and the builder to rectify any deficiencies or missed contract work. If you miss this stage, all structural, mechanical and electrical work will be covered over, making it very difficult to see, let alone correct, possible defects. The 3rd inspection should be at the finishing stage, just before you take possession of your home. Most builders offer this inspection. Your lawyer will probably advise you to inspect the final product to ensure that you are satisfied that the house is complete before closing the deal. This inspection gives you an opportunity to inspect the finishing details.

“I saw some small deficiencies, and didn’t know if I should say anything. I could fix these myself.”

Don’t take this attitude. You are buying a new house. If the quality is not acceptable, have the builder fix the problem in a timely manner.

Painting, caulking, tile, carpet, trim, ceilings, electrical and mechanical finishing are just some of the areas inside the house that you want to take a very hard look at. Remember these are the areas of the house that you will be seeing and living with for a long time. It is easy to fall into the mind set that you could fix these little deficiencies and touch-ups, once you take possession, BUT DON’T! You are paying for a new house that is supposed to be finished properly. No matter how small the deficiency you find, record it and have the builder repair it. It is like buying a new car. You would not accept it if the paint was scratched or one tire had a slow leak. The final inspection also allows you to inspect the exterior of the house before you take possession. The roof, brick work, siding, stucco, caulking, grading, landscaping and exterior painting are just some of the areas that as a new home owner, you will want to inspect thoroughly. The importance of these three inspections cannot be stressed enough if you are serious about putting forth the best possible effort to ensure that your project is built to your satisfaction. One helpful hint. Be professional and civil with the builder when doing these inspections. Do not back them into a corner. Remember, your goal is to get the deficiencies corrected to your satisfaction.

New home buying tips, free advice and trouble shooting will be available to Homebuyer Friendly members. Homebuyer Friendly will be there for you during the construction phase of your home and well after, available to answer any questions that you have about the construction of your new home or addition.

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