Why inspect new construction?

I was a builder for over 33 years before I became a home inspector and I can tell you that there is no way to keep track of all that goes on during the construction process.  Good contractors do their best to use the best sub-contractors, and local jurisdictions inspect the construction at many points along the way and still things slip through the cracks that only the Home Inspector is in a position to identify.  I have found hot water to toilets, missing attic roof vents, disconnected ventilation ducts, ventilation duct terminations roofed-over, never connected plumbing drains, flooded crawl spaces, carpeted-over heat registers, missing insulation in attics, concrete poured over siding, improperly attached decks, improperly wired remote distribution panels (sub-panels), capped plumbing vents above the roof----all in houses never lived in and "signed-off" by the local jurisdiction.  I have yet to not find the cost of the inspection in any new construction that I have inspected.  In the case of the missing roof vent, rain had been entering the attic for more than 3 months.  Even if the house is inspected prior to the end of the warranty period considerable damage could have already been done. 

hole in roof

 

4 Comments on Why inspect new construction?

I find more wrong with new homes than pre-owned...great point!

12/23/2007 02:23 PM by Team DiMuria, Katy Texas Realtors (Prudential Gary Greene Realtors)

Hi, You would think I would have known better and had an inspection but I didn't.  That was seven years ago and our windows and cabinets are not holding up.  The builder just referred me to the people who sold the  products and they said the products were below standard when they bought them....too bad for me.

12/23/2007 03:08 PM by Kay Perry (Classic Realty/GMAC)

Charlie,

I think that photo takes the cake for being the most obvious oversight I have seen at a new home. Sure, I have seen some other dumb ones, but that is the proverbial sore thumb that sticks out if anyone is paying attention at all. This is not a subtle problem. It screams for attention.

12/23/2007 06:38 PM by Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection)

Steve, I know what you mean, but when it is two stories off the ground and can't be seen from the ground----out of sight out of mind.  What gets me is that there were several opportunities for it to have been brought to the attention of the builder----like by the attic insulation installers, or by the HVAC contractor when the exhaust fan ducts were connected.  An even worse possibility was that maybe it was----and still didn't get corrected.  This is why I have a job:)

12/23/2007 06:49 PM by Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector (Charles Buell Inspections.com)

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Inspector: Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector (Charles Buell Inspections.com)
Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector
Seattle, WA
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