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Every
home, regardless of age, should
receive a professional inspection
prior to the sale. Buyers
of new homes who neglect having
a thorough inspection do
themselves a great disservice –
at the risk of thousands of
dollars in unseen repairs.
Builders
agree the boom in demand
for new homes has created
a shortage of skilled experienced
craftsmen. Unfortunately,
that leads to hiring
unskilled labor to work on some
of the newer projects. This makes it necessary
for a professional inspection of
even the newest homes.
A professional inspection is a win-win situation
during a real estate transaction. Also,
an inspection provides the potential buyer
with an overall evaluation of the condition
of the home and its major systems.
Also, it turns up the positive aspects
of the home’s condition and gives the
seller a stronger negotiating position.
Here are some reasons for home inspections
at various stages in a home’s life:
New Homes
Often there are minor repair items found
during inspections of new homes. These repairs include
incorrectly wired circuits, cracked roof shingles, paint
touchup, and scratches in finished wood. New homes
should not show any signs of foundation
settling, water intrusion, soil erosion,
or improperly functioning appliances
or mechanical components. The
best advice is to buy a new home before
it’s constructed; then hire a home
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inspector
to supervise the progress on the home.
The inspector should check the construction
at least two times; at the predrywall inspection
when all rough-ins are complete
and during the final inspection upon
completion. At the pre-drywall inspection
the foundation and rough grading,
all framing, and all rough-ins are accessible
for observation. Depending on the
situation, he may also inspect the various
systems as they are installed, including
the roof, walls, plumbing, and
electrical systems.
If the home is already completed, a
thorough inspection before purchase is
certainly in order.
Nearly New Homes (2 to 10 years)
After a short time, there will be routine wear
and tear on newly built homes. However,
homes 2 to 10 years old should remain
structurally and mechanically sound.
There will be some foundation settling.
The inspector should pay close attention
to drainage issues, caulking, painting,
and other routine systems. A review
of the electrical and mechanical systems
should be done at this time to assure
proper operating performance.
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