Why Should I Get A Home Inspection On A New House?

Why Should I Get A Home Inspection On A New House?

As a Realtor I regularly get asked the question; Why Should I Get A Home Inspection On A New House?  In general most buyers see the need for a home inspection when buying an existing home, but many others purchasing new construction feel it's a waste of time and money to hire a home inspector especially since many builders offer 2-10 warranties and the builder will also do a pre-closing punch list walk through for any visible defects....so why have new construction inspected?  

Visible defects yes you and your builder can pick those usually, but from personal experience I will tell you that a home inspector is going to find things that a formal walk through with the builder will not reveal...things that aren't visible.  A home inspector will test all the appliances, the electrical system, HVAC, get up on the roof, walk the attic, crawl through the crawl space....while you and your builder will be looking for paint and trim defects, doors and windows that function, etc.   I cannot think of one instance that the home inspector I like to use has not found something that wouldn't have been noted during a builder punch list walk through.  You might think this would happen in homes in lower price brackets or with less than average builders, but my home inspector has found issues with new homes well above the $500,000 price point involving highly respected builders.  Look at it this way, it's not just one person building your dream home.  There are several trades involved and several more workers.  Everyone is human and mistakes are made, maybe something was not finished before a lunch break and was forgotten about, perhaps a new guy on the job is not familiar with the builders schedule, maybe material was on back order and other work scheduled around it's delivery, but was never installed. Open wiring in crawl spaces and basements, problem foundations, HVAC duct work that was never connected to its intended floor or ceiling vent, appliances that don't operate properly, improper roof installation and venting, electrical system/circuit issues.  The list is long and too important for you not to hire someone on your behalf to make sure you get what you think you are paying for.  Remember that the home inspector works for you...he/she represents your best interest just as a Realtor works in the best interest of their client.  The builder is selling you their product why would you let them inspect the home they built for you?  The builders I deal with are very good and well respected, but even they can make mistakes.

Home inspectors fees are often dependent on square feet and or the difficulty of the job, but for a few hundred dollars a home inspector will provide you with a better than fair margin of security that the home you are investing in is a good buy.  

I have absolutely no financial relationship with any of the service providers that I recommend to my clients.  Whether home inspectors, mortgage professional, or home cleaning services.  I recommend these vendors because they are professionals that share the same work ethic that I do and I trust them.  

Call me at (256) 230-5933 if you'd like the name of the Home Inspector I trust, beginning your home search or wanting to list your home...visit my website:  www.NickTPappas.com 

If you need a knowledgeable real estate professional in Madison or Huntsville Alabama area, why don't you let me Google that for you! I also know outstanding agents in all states and Canada should you need help relocating to a new area.