The attic space

Always take a flashlight and a step ladder during your inspection, so that you can take a look up into the attic space. You don’t want any surprises later on.

	Stained Spindles

Spindles on a staircase should always be stained or painted before any stairs are carpeted or runners installed. During your inspection pull the carpet away from the bottom of the spindle to verify this.

	Underpad anyone?

To verify the grade of underpad during your walkthrough inspection with the builder, lift up a floor register cover in a carpeted room and compare the builders underpad sample that you purchased with the underpad laid.

	Quality of Model Home

Before purchasing a home from a builder, take a thorough look at the model home that they are presenting as an example of their construction and quality. Check the quality of workmanship of the tile, carpet, trim, painting, hardwood and drywall.  This should represent the same workmanship that your new home will receive during construction.  If the builders’ show model is deficient in quality, most likely your new home will have the same deficiencies.

	Extra Tiles

For new home buyers always insist that the builder leave you with a few extra tiles. This will ensure that if you have tiles to replace in the future, that the tiles and the dye lot will be from the same box of tiles that were set in the original installation.

	Concrete or inter-locking stone driveways

For asphalt, concrete or inter-locking stone driveways, the success of the driveway is directly related to the base it sits on. It is important that the contractor digs out and compacts at least 8 inches of stone for the asphalt, stone or concrete to sit on. If it is not compacted properly, undue settlement will occur and the asphalt, concrete or stone will settle and crack.

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