Do I Need An Inspection on a Newly Built Home?
Many times, a buyer decides to go with new construction to avoid some of the issues typically found in an aging house like outdated electrical, plumbing, faulty windows or a weathered roof. The fact is, new houses have issues too and more often than not, they will not be known until a buyer moves in.
New construction homes may have a variety of problems
One of the best reasons to have your home professionally inspected before you pay your builder and move in is to catch issues before you are responsible for the repairs. Remember, the builder’s inspector works for the builder, not for you. Common issues like wiring problems or plumbing may not be immediately noticed by the average homeowner until after they are used for a period of time. Even with a new home warranty, it may be some time before you realize that you cannot run a fan and hairdryer at the same time without breakers tripping. Then you are solely footing the bill.
Municipal building inspections are not the same as home inspections
Since municipal inspectors are unable to inspect certain parts of the house, such as the attic or parts of the crawl space, items may be missed. If there are no glaring signs of deficiency, immediate complications and the builder has been compliant in the building process, the inspector may be less vigilant and give the house a pass.
A Home Inspection Could Prevent Disasters
Here are some of the items not covered in a municipal inspection:
- Gutters are not properly connected
- Roof flashing is missing or improperly installed
- Settling cracks appear in the foundation
- Piping and/or wiring penetrations are not properly sealed
- There is insufficient foundation drainage and/or waterproofing
Hiring your own home inspector gives you a better chance at addressing these repairs before they cause extensive future damage to your house.
Consider Inspecting as Your House is Being Built
The best way to ensure your new home has as few issues as possible is to schedule a series of professional inspections.
Inspect right after the foundation is poured so your inspector will be able to check for any cracks, settling, or issues with the concrete that are better addressed before a house gets built on top.
Inspect again once all the framing is up and the plumbing is run through so your inspector will be able to check for any potential issues the walls are closed up and the project becomes more difficult to fix.
The third time you’ll want an inspection is right before you move in so the inspector can look for draining and sealing issues on the interior and exterior of the house.
The final check should occur right before your warranty is up on your house. You want to make sure that nothing breaks or needs repairs right after your warranty expires and you have to cover it out of your own wallet.
Summary
Hiring your own professional inspector to evaluate your newly built home may seem like overkill, but it can make sense economically, prevent headaches or even avert costly disasters. Municipal code inspections serve their purpose but they are not perfect and are not meant to replace your own inspection. 5-Star Google-rated Angell’s Home Inspections are experts at new home inspections. They can guide you through the process so that you can have peace of mind before moving into your new beautiful home. Call us today at (860) 402-6644 or schedule your inspection here.
