New Home Construction Inspections

From LoveToKnow Mortgage

New home construction inspections are vital for homeowners to ensure that everything is built according to codes as well as to the specifications of the buyer. Don't make the mistake of assuming that since a home is brand new it must be perfectly free of any defects of problems.

Learn more about home inspection.

When to Inspect

When should a home buyer request a construction inspection? Ideally, an inspection should be conducted by a competent inspector during three phases of the construction:

During Construction: An inspector can identify many different potential problems during an inspection. The ideal time to discover problems before the home is completed and the residents have already moved in. The reasoning behind this is because problems during the construction phase may set of a chain of events that leads to other problems. If possible, it is preferable to discover these issues as soon as possible.

Of course, not all new home construction inspections will reveal major problems or even minor issues. Some new homes are built well and do not have any detrimental aspects to them at all.

Immediately After Completion: If homeowners can have an inspection conducted right after the home is complete – but before they move their furniture and other belongings into the house – it may be possible to get any problems resolved before the family settles in. This inspection may be the most important of all three suggested inspections because there are some items within the home that cannot be inspected until the home is completed, but are easier to find without belongings already strewn throughout the house.

After Moving In: Some issues with new homes aren't apparent immediately after the home is completed. For example, problems with foundations cracking or shifting rarely appear immediately after a home has been completed, but once windows start sticking and walls start cracking it becomes obvious that something isn't right.

In most cases, the number of inspections conducted on a new home is entirely up to the owners. Lenders usually require appraisals, but appraisals are different from inspections. New home construction inspections do not reveal the market value of the home, but instead are designed to point out potential problems, or problems that already exist.

Contractual Clauses for New Home Construction Inspections

Conducting a home inspection.

Who pays for the cost of the new home inspection? In most instances it's the buyer who pays the money necessary for a certified inspector to conduct a thorough inspection. Some builders do offer inspection clauses in their contracts which covers the cost of an inspection, and most of these clauses allow the buyer to select the inspector.

If you are in the process of buying a home be sure to request this clause in the contract. Not only will it save you money from the cost of purchasing a thorough inspection on your own, but it can potentially save you large amounts of money if the inspector discovers problems with the construction before the home is completed and the keys are in your hands.

Find an Inspector

The home builder may give you a list of recommended inspectors, but in most cases it is preferable to select your own qualified home inspector. Choose an inspector who is not an employee of the building company and who is also well versed in new home construction. These inspections are different from other inspections that are designed for older houses, so it's a good idea to ask whether your selected inspector has experience in conducting inspections on new homes.

The certification and education requirements for home inspectors vary from state to state, so be sure to find out if your inspector has the licensing required by the state the home is in before signing a contract with the inspector.