New Construction Inspections

Within the real estate industry, there is some ongoingcupboards or closet doors.
debate about whether new homes should haveIf you look at this list, which is certainly not inclusive,
home inspections or not. This debate goes on in themost of the significant things found are still routine
minds of many buyers who want to save any cashand easy for the builder, or his crew with their tools,
they can. And the new home builder is, obviously, allto remedy. On the other side of the coin, if the
for waiving a home inspection. So, often, the decisionaverage homeowner has to fix some of these issues
as to whether the house is inspected or not, comesafter closing, it is a really big hassle that will require
down to what is recommended by the buyer'slots of elbow grease and needlessly spending dollars
realtor. As a realtor, who has found myself in thatout of pocket. Since those buyers are my clients, and
position more than once, I am going to give you myI want them to be happy with their purchase and to
opinion on this matter.refer my name to their friends and family, it is my
It is my experience that, almost never, are issuesgoal to see to it that all of the significant problems
found at new homes that are "deal killers." However,have been discovered and resolved prior to closing.
that does not mean that numerous problems haveLet's face it, it is only fair that all of the significant
not been found. Usually, the problems at newercosts should be paid by the builder -- whose role in
homes are of the punch list variety -- where thethe transaction was to properly build a home and
home inspector's list is given to the builder and thesupply my clients with a house that was ready to
crew or sub contractors complete their project. Heremove into.
are examples of common new construction issuesSometimes, mistakenly so, a client who does not
found by home inspectors in my market: significantwant to pay for an inspection, hopes that the
standing water in the crawl space because drainagemunicipal code inspectors have covered the bases.
concerns were not addressed; crawl space ventsThat is seldom the case because those components
that are below grade; concrete poured up over theand systems the code inspector looks for are basic
wood trim on the home; furnace ducts that are notand these people seldom actually get inside crawl
hooked into the system; condensate drains from thespaces, attics and areas a home inspector routinely
furnace and TPR drains from the water heater thatviews. I have written a previous article on this fallacy
are routed under the home; missing flashing or looseof the code inspector being a substitute for a home
and improperly nailed shingles; the pressure test capinspection.
left on the main sewer vent; sinks or toilets withAnother thought is that the builder's home warranty
drains that are not plumbed into the system; gutterscan replace the need for a home inspection. In my
with inadequate slope; doors and windows that doexperience that is a big risk, and not a wise gamble,
not operate; missing or unsafe handrails at steps andand I will be writing another article on that in the near
guardrails on high decks; appliances not wired orfuture. For now, it should be clear from my
plumbed in; propane appliances not converted to gas,comments here, that I always recommend that my
so they operate like flame throwers; gas fireplacesclients, whether they are buying a new or an old
not hooked to the gas; whirlpool tubs not wired intohome, should pay a few extra dollars and have an
the system; dryer ducts that empty under theindependent home inspection by a state licensed
home; missing or failed GFCI outlets, groundingstructural pest inspector who is also a competent
problems and other electrical issues; missing doorresidential home inspector.
stops and out of adjustment interior doors,