It is an exciting time in your life to have a home built with your specific needs in mind. You choose floors, cabinets, built-ins, etc. No stone has gone unturned in the planning of your perfect home. But what about the building process? There are three recommended points in construction when inspectors should check the work being done on your new build: 1. When the foundation is placed 2. Before the walls are covered 3. When the builder says it is finished.
1. The Best Defense Is A Good Offense
A licensed third-party home inspector will look for potential issues, evaluate the evidence, and report their findings. If a home is only inspected after it is finished, there are many areas that cannot be seen. They don’t have x-ray vision to see inside walls, under the foundation, or in attic spaces that do not have access. So the smartest decision is to have new construction inspected at all three points. This is your best defense to correcting immediate and future issues.
2. The Best-Laid Foundation
A strong foundation starts with a site that has been properly excavated and graded. The inspector checks the moisture barrier, penetrations, and foundation supports before the concrete is placed. There is no going back. Any mistakes become permanent. Inspectors detect problems so that builders can correct them to ensure a strong, long-lasting home.
3. Roughing It
The Rough In or framing inspection happens once the frame, roof, and windows are installed. The interior (i.e. drywall) has not been finished. At this stage structural components can be seen and inspected such as the sill anchors, beams, joists, bearings, fire blocking, and A/C ducts. Items like window and door flashing, plumbing, and wiring can be corrected before walls are covered if you have an inspection. Otherwise they will be hidden in the walls and could cost thousands of dollars later when they need to be torn out to remedy.
4. Final Cut
The final inspection includes HVAC, grading and drainage, insulation and ventilation, electrical and plumbing systems, foundations and roof, doors and windows, appliances, and more. Additional items can include sprinkler systems, pools, and outdoor kitchens. A licensed professional inspector will examine the house top to bottom and all areas around the home in this final stage of building. While the items noted in the report are not a “punch out list,” it makes your walk-through with the builder more productive.
5. Your Future Depends On It
All three stages or “phases” of new home construction give you the opportunity to be proactive about your home’s future. Your home builder can get to the root of problems and correct them before continuing to build. The risk of not performing all three inspections is that unknown issues could come up later when it’s too late for the builder to fix them at his expense.
Leave no stone unturned with three stages of inspection on your new construction. Don’t wait until you have moved in and endure the fuss of repairing the issue or choose to cover it up. Be proactive. Call a licensed professional home inspector to ensure you are making the best decision.