Do I need an inspection for new construction?
You’ll have a hard time finding an experienced home inspector that can keep a straight face when asked that question. That’s because we all have experience inspecting new construction homes. We know we’re going to find things, and there will be issues. As a whole, people have a huge misconception that “new” means “perfect” and that is just not the case. Another huge misconception is that a new home will have been diligently inspected by the public building department as part of the building process and that too, is just NOT the case.
While I could write a book about this, and maybe I will someday, haha, this will just be a quick PSA to highlight the importance of having an inspection for new construction. The best piece of advice I can give anyone purchasing new construction is to have an inspection done prior to closing. This will be your best chance to have the builder correct as many items as possible in the most efficient manner. Once you sign on that dotted line and take the keys, everything gets more complicated, which directly affects the probability of outstanding items being completed. That said, you should also have a builder’s warranty inspection done prior to the end of the warranty period because some issues do take time to show up or can be masked until a home is lived in.
People often assume new construction inspections are just minor punch lists, but in reality they can be extensive lists, with major defects discovered. Below are just a few examples of findings during new construction inspections done by the best inspection company in Tallahassee for new construction inspections.
Here’s a picture you can have a lot of conversations about, but we’ll keep it short for this blog. There is no insulation installed in this ‘newly constructed home’ in Tallahassee. This home had the final CO issued one month before I inspected it, which meant all inspections by the building department had been completed and approved. YIKES! Is there a better example of why you need inspections on a newly constructed home?
Most people probably don’t want to have their master shower flood upon move-in because the test cap was not properly removed for the drain line for the shower.
During a new construction inspection at a house in Crawfordville, the main electric panel had breakers from a different brand installed. It literally says on the panel sticker that doing this voids the manufacturer warranty. Only breakers listed on the manufacturer’s label should be used in that panel. This would definitely be listed as a defect in the electrical section of a new construction inspection report.
Yet another great example of why you need a new construction inspection. The dryer exhaust duct should only be rigid smooth bore metal duct. An expanding aluminum duct was incorrectly used inside a wall, which is a fire hazard. One can just look at that picture and visualize the clogging risk.
Here is another example of how useful thermal imaging is in a new construction inspection. There is a leak in the bathroom above this area, but there was no staining visible to the naked eye. I’m even surprised myself sometimes, when I find leaks without any visible signs.
Most people wouldn’t expect a roof leak on a brand new home, but they happen, which highlights the importance of a new construction inspection. This leak was the result of poorly installed flashing around an upper level deck.
Here’s another great example of why all new construction needs an inspection. The air handler had been run without a filter during the construction of the home. And the evaporator coils are now covered in fiberglass insulation and dust, which can lead to a host of issues. That is not how the coils on a brand new air handler are supposed to look.
Damaged roof truss found during a new construction inspection in Leon County, FL.
Using thermal imaging, we discovered a 5 day old roof leak during a new construction inspection. Thermal imaging is a very important tool to use in new construction inspections, as there hasn’t been enough time for some issues to be seen visually with the naked eye.
A very common issue in new construction inspections are the windows not opening fully or at all. Proper window operation is an important aspect.
