My clients were on vacation when their new construction was ready for a final inspection.  They told me that I was scheduled for anytime I wanted on that day.  So I showed up real early.

The inspection revealed the usual stuff - loose dishwasher leaking onto the kitchen floor, leaky faucet in a bathroom, grounding electrode hanging loose under the electric meter with no sign of a grounding rod beside the house - you know, the usual stuff.  There was more than that!

But this is the view on the end of the front porch.  From this view it doesn't look like a far drop.

It is.  The drop on the left side is 38" and the right corner and in front on the end 34".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This family has small children and elderly parents.  Thinking about someone falling off that porch would be a considerable and continuing stress.  Not to mention the code... but we needn't go there.  The supervisor told my clients that he didn't want to hear from the home inspector!  He might condescend to hearing from the buyers, but I am told it takes more than one mention for him to consider anything they say.  Hmmmm...

They have a little boy who will be doing swan dives off that porch!  I know I would have done hand springs off the end.  "Look at what I can do Mom!"  But not everyone can do that and this porch is hazardous.

My recommendation:  The clients thought that drop was a bit far.  It is.  They thought it should have a rail and they are right.  Just because it is a new house and something doesn't look right, don't assume that it must be right because there just wouldn't be any builder oversights!  Well, you know what happens when we assume.

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC  

Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia

www.jaymarinspect.com


 
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49 Comments on "I Don't Want To Hear From The Home Inspector"

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JUL
26
2010
243,126 Points 22 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

In any contract, we are able to have a home inspection contingency as well as a radon testing.  The only inspection that is waived is the termite inspection with new construction.  It is must no matter who the builder is and what their warranty is!  Thank you for sharing "your usual stuff"!
5:49pm • #30
400,470 Points 35 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp

Jay:

I always have a "Home Inspection Contingency" even for new construction. Safety is extremely important and something that is going to cause a big drop to a child or elderly person needs to be fixed.

 
6:03pm • #31
972,719 Points 348 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Karen - the warranty is only as good as the builder.  If they don't think something is important at the start of a house's life, why would they fix it later?  Thanks for the compliment!

Claudette - safety is the bottom line in any construction!  Good job on the contingency.
6:11pm • #32
1,738,230 Points 20 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jay,

Great article. Depending on the community regulations as far as appearance, the builder may be installing railings on every home. :)

Steve
6:21pm • #33
972,719 Points 348 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That does tend to dress up a porch, doesn't it Steve?
6:22pm • #34
150,268 Points 2 Featured Posts

hmmm  I bought a house once with a 3 inch drop on the inside floor...yet every wooden door frame was perfectly level.  I disclosed...but lost a bundle when I sold.  I was told the foundation was poured wrong...I had no idea that could even happen...but sure enough.  Well, that was quite a few years ago and I've learned.  You can't take anything for granted.
6:59pm • #35
972,719 Points 348 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That's a sad story Monica.  A pre-drywall inspection would have revealed that.  Almost certainly the builder knew and went to great lengths to level everything in such a way as to hide the flaw.
7:08pm • #36
187,096 Points 5 Featured Posts

When we assume (with a drop off like that) we end up on our....
9:05pm • #37
1,123,556 Points 90 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Many agents just blow off inspections for new construction. I have had many new houses with problems including non hooked up plumbing!
9:20pm • #38
1,123,556 Points 90 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Many agents just blow off inspections for new construction. I have had many new houses with problems including non hooked up plumbing!
9:20pm • #39
JUL
27
2010
871,571 Points 47 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jay, you have given one great example as to why we recommend independent inspections in new homes. Nobody is perfect and new homes have their issues just like resale homes.
12:05am • #40
972,719 Points 348 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

You got it Nana.  Nanas have learn NOT to assume.

Erica - plumbing issues are very frequent on new homes!  My experience anyway.

Frank and Sharon - I often have more problems on new homes than I do on older ones.
6:14am • #41
1,151,935 Points 86 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jay, people do get a false sense of security with a new home, and their agent if they d have one representing them needs to be every bit as thorough as if it were an older home. Anything can be overlooked, and with new construction the problem is usually a matter of which sub-contractor thought the other was going to finish the job if there are multiples. Plumbing and electrical are usually the most common for oversights.
7:47am • #42
972,719 Points 348 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Ed - you are right in all of that and your reasoning!
8:06am • #43
784,163 Points 85 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I would think that its almost the same as having a stairwell with no railing!
10:13am • #44
972,719 Points 348 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Much the same Ralph!  Much the same...
10:53am • #45
JUL
29
2010
189,395 Points 1 Featured Post Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I agree with much of this, especially Jay.  This is the very reason buyers should always have agent representation when purchasing new construction. I have seen some serious builder oversights in my day.
8:47pm • #46
972,719 Points 348 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Virginia - I happen to think that such representation is essential.  Thanks for stopping by!
9:15pm • #47
AUG
08
2010
111,451 Points 1 Featured Post

Jay,

Never ceases to amaze me and my Client when a new home has a dozen issues to be repaired before closing.  The only thing more amazing is the number of people buying a new house who don't have any inspection at all, thinking the municipal inspections will catch everything.

Thanks,

Richard Acree

HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC

http://habitecinspections.com 
10:45pm • #48
AUG
09
2010
972,719 Points 348 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That, Richard, and the builder says, "You don't need a home inspection.  We have been inspecting it every day for 120 days!"
6:46pm • #50

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Jay Markanich - N. Virginia Home Inspector

Bristow, VA

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Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC

Address: 12315 Sherborne Street, Bristow, VA, 20136

Office Phone: (703) 330-6388

Cell Phone: (703) 585-7560

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