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Lunch with the contractor - New Construction Inspection

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Education & Training with Centsable Inspection

Buying a new construction home in 2012 may be a goal for some home buyers.  One of the many decisions to make is the choice of a home inspection.  In Massachusetts the seller or seller's agent will provide you a brochure, Home Inspector Facts for Consumers Sheet.  There are restrictions on whether or not a Real Estate Broker/Salesperson may provide you with a recommendation for a home inspector.  Potential Conflict of Interest is one of the reasons for home inspector licensing in Massachusetts.   The decision to hire or not hire a home inspector is the responsibility of the buyer. 

Duct

A Construction Supervisor may visit the new home during all phases of construction.  It appears that sometimes the visit may surprise a sub-contractor during a lunch break.

The trash was disposed of in the return ducts of the HVAC system.  The can and wrapper made it all the back to the filter.  Some of the other debris hadn't quite made its way to the filter.

Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) provides a guide to Duct Cleanliness For New Construction.

The duct trash was not the most technically significant issue discovered during the new home inspection, yet it really angered the buyer to see their new home treated like a dumpster.

As you can see in the photograph, the light non-sticky material traveled all the way to the air filter, you can imagine what the other sticky debris looks like stuck in other areas of the return ducts.  

 

David Popoff
DMK Real Estate - Darien, CT
Realtor®,SRS, Green ~ Fairfield County, Ct

I would hate to see the contractor's home, wonder if it is a pig pen as well....

Feb 26, 2012 07:00 PM