| Buying a new home is suppose to be the American | | | | home as it is being built. |
| Dream. Unfortunately, for many buyers of newly | | | | What are some things you should look for in a home |
| constructed homes it becomes the American | | | | inspector? |
| Nightmare. Hiring a qualified third party home | | | | To start with, not all home inspectors are created |
| inspector can increase you chance of a hassle free | | | | equal. Look for a home inspector that is a member |
| home. | | | | of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) |
| One only has to visit sites like Homeowners Against | | | | - ASHI is the nations oldest and largest home |
| Deficient Dwellings (HADD)- or Homeowners for | | | | inspection organization. They have strict membership |
| Better Buildings (HOBB) - to see how widespread | | | | requirements in place and not any ole inspector will be |
| shoddy construction is in the industry. | | | | accepted. |
| No area of the country is free from shoddy | | | | Next, make sure the inspector you choose is Code |
| construction. | | | | Certified. Many areas of the country have now |
| In my job as a Professional Home Inspector I talk to | | | | adopted the International Residential Code (IRC) as |
| hundreds of people each year about new home | | | | the model building code. Check with your local |
| construction. It still amazes me that many believe the | | | | municipality to determine which model code they |
| city inspector will find every item wrong with a home. | | | | enforce and adjust your search likewise. You can find |
| Nothing could be further from the truth! | | | | a Code Certified IRC Inspector by going to |
| A city inspector inspects for code violations. The | | | | Ask the inspectors on your narrowed down list for |
| building codes are the MINIMUM standards that a | | | | sample inspection reports. You're looking for a home |
| home should be built to. City code inspectors only | | | | inspector who writes narrative type reports and who |
| inspect for safety and health issues as they relate to | | | | will include code numbers or the code itself when he |
| building. City inspectors do not inspect for the quality | | | | finds them. I'd avoid inspectors who say they use an |
| of workmanship! City building inspectors also have no | | | | onsite "checklist" type of report. |
| liability. If your home falls down and hurts you the | | | | Call or meet the inspector. You're looking for |
| day after you move in, you can not go back and sue | | | | someone who is knowledgeable and who can |
| the building inspector because he missed code | | | | communicate well. If you talk to an inspector and |
| violations. | | | | have trouble understanding what he's saying, it's likely |
| In Houston, the area I inspect in, the city building | | | | his report will be hard to understand as well. |
| inspectors spend about 10 to 30 minutes in a home | | | | Ask for references. Have the inspector send you |
| inspecting it. At the end of their "Inspection", they will | | | | several references and follow through checking them |
| then place a green or orange 3x5 sticker at the front | | | | out. |
| of the home. The Green sticker says you passed, | | | | Ask questions. Ask your inspector if he/she will come |
| the orange or red sticker says the home failed. | | | | back out and re-inspect after the builder says all the |
| There is no way that a city building inspector can | | | | repairs have been made. Some will, some won't. |
| note all the discrepancies on a home on a 3x5 sticker! | | | | Expect to have to pay for a re-inspection. Ask the |
| The new trend is for builders to advertise that their | | | | inspector if he will communicate with the builder after |
| homes have been inspected by a "Third Party | | | | the inspection if the builder has questions. Good |
| Inspection Company." This is like listening to a used | | | | inspectors will take the time to go over the report |
| car salesman say he had his mechanic check your | | | | via phone or in person with the builder to ensure that |
| used car out before you bought it. | | | | all needed repairs are made. |
| If the company the builder hires becomes a nuisance | | | | As a home buying consumer, it's your responsibility to |
| by continuing to find problems, then a new company | | | | ensure your home is built correctly. Not the builder, |
| will be found who can inspect the homes the way | | | | not the State, County or City. Hiring a qualified and |
| the builder likes. | | | | reputable home inspector will go a long ways in |
| Wise and prudent home buyers will research their | | | | helping you obtain a problem free home. |
| builder before deciding on one to go with. | | | | Full reprint and distribution rights are granted as long |
| They will also start doing their research on finding | | | | as the entire article, including the sig/resource box |
| their own third party home inspector to inspect the | | | | below, is kept intact. |