It's a New Home - Why Would I Need a Home Inspection?
"Why would a new home need an home inspection?" I've heard this question asked and probably thought it myself at one time- that is, until I began inspecting new homes! This article addresses the common misperception that "new" means "perfect".
When purchasing a newly built home, it’s natural to expect that everything was constructed properly. We all want to believe that new is right. However, even the most reputable builders can make mistakes or miss important details. The factor that is often overlooked is human error and that the chances for error are multiplied across a number of individuals in modern construction. The days of home construction by a single contractor have gone the way of the slide rule- of what? Exactly, it's obsolete and ain't coming back. The general contractor subcontracting out jobs is the way that homes are built today. This is due, in part, to the complexity of modern designs and systems as well as the reality that contractors juggle multiple contracts at the same time.
In my experience as a home inspector, I quickly learned that new homes have their share of issues and some that are common in new construction. I once inspected a newly built home where a foundation wall was bowing and the foundation and wall were in the process of being demolished and rebuilt- hopefully, on the contractors dime. More than once, I have seen the scenario pictured above- a ridge vent rendered completely useless by bubble foil insulation or the contractor cutting the sheathing, but forgetting to cut the shingles and underlayment. Actually, the photograph above is of a brand new home where ridge vents and soffit vents were not even installed! That's right, no attic ventilation whatsoever! Speaking of soffit vents, I've also found where insulation baffles were not installed and the blown insulation covered the properly designed soffits, making them completely ineffective for ventilation. I've seen neutral and hot wires reversed on new homes - a shock and fire hazard. I've observed plumbing leaking under sinks and crawlspaces of brand new homes, insufficient insulation, multiplied safety concerns with improperly constructed or attached decks, or even deck access missing altogether! I've identified numerous water penetration areas from poorly flashed or sealed building components, windows that wouldn't open or close, violations of current building standards that I am compelled to notify my client of (although I am not a code inspector). And, the list goes on.
A home inspection is not just about finding problems, but a good inspector will likely identify issues that need to be resolved. Wouldn't you rather know about these problems before you purchase your home than to be blindsided with expensive repairs down the road? Of course, you would! Think of a home inspection as an insurance policy and a valuable tool for negotiating your home purchase. Oftentimes, my inspections identify thousands of dollars in repairs needed, which can be addressed by the seller prior to closing or subtracted from the sale price. Either way, the cost of the inspection turns out to be a small investment that pays dividends for my client! So, is a home inspection necessary for a newly built home? I'm convinced it is... and no one could convince me otherwise. See you on a future inspection!
Your Friends at Higher Rock Inspections
