It's a New House, Do I Need a Home Inspection?

I get this question from buyers. I tell them yes because many things can go wrong during certain stages while building the home.

You definitely need a home inspection on a new home...even if it has a home warranty.  I've had inspectors find really big items on new homes.

Debbie -- there are no perfect homes -- a thorough property inspection will certainly find some issues that will need to be addressed prior to closing even with a new home.  

Good Morning:  New home or not always have a home Inspection done!! keep up the good work and good luck,  E

Debbie,

Great advise.  As you said, just becasue it is new does mean it works correctly.  That is why manufacturers provide warranties when you purchase a new item.

The better builders do PUNCH LISTS and then even follow it up after the buyer moves in...Check the builder out for this business plan in action

Debbie, you are SO right - things can go wrong during the building of a home and the home inspections performed by the city are for code things - there are thousands of other things within the  home which are not for "codes" but could effect the long life of a home. 

Just because it is a new home by builder, doesn't mean things are 100% correct.  Almost always worth the cost of home inspection to find out.

Debbie

When I used to have the listing for about 120 new homes in 3 different subdivisions, I also sold quite a few new homes in others. I always advised my buyers to get at least a good contractor inspection and roof. On average, 1 out of 10 roofs had a big problem and 1 out of 20 homes had several other issues discovered from the contractor's inspection. cheers cvc

Yes. Always encourage the inspection for new homes. There is always something that the builder will do to meet a building code that could be done better or to the owners satisfaction. The buyer needs an impartial point of view since the builder has a vested interest in reaching the closing table as soon as possible.  

You never know what could be hiding in a home.  Inspections are a mandatory step of a real estate transaction.  

Absolutely! NEVER purchase a home without an inspection!!! I hear that question so often!

Absolutely get a home inspection!  New homes can have as many issues as existing homes.  Any real estate agent who doesn't advise his/her client to get a home inspection to save a few hundred dollars is not working in the best interest of the client.

Debbie -- you would think you were a regular reader of Jay, Charles, Clint, etc. blogs on what they find in new construction inspections.

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!

I've seen plenty of builders with new homes that needed enough work to make an inspection worthwhile.  Even if they create a punchlist, it's still good to have an inspection.

Debbie, great advice. No home is perfect, even the new ones and hiring a home inspector to work on your behalf is money well spent on resale and new construction.

Debbie - not only do I say YES you  need to have a home inspector for a new home - I also recommend that they have the home inspector come at the various points of construction review (foundation, framing, drywall, and roof) Just the fact that they have someone come along for reinforcement is a tremendous comfort and when the developer knows that there is someone watching, my buyers have gotten better responses. There are home inspection companies that will do this for a nominal amount and I think it's well worth it. Also, removes the onus from me - I have so many out of town buyers/2nd home buyers that I really just feel this is better for me too.

Many builders will tell you you don't need your own home inspector because the city/county inspect the home. However, Just because a home is new, it is still wise to have a licensed home inspection.

Good advice for home buyers. We always recommend a professional home inspection.