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Should I Hire A Home Inspector For New Construction?

By
Real Estate Agent with Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com SAL.2002007747

You're spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on your new home.  Before you committed to the purchase there was a lot of research.  Builders visited.  Communities weighed against your needs.  Floor plans examined.  Lots reviewed for the best choice.  Meeting with the builder's rep (AND your buyer's agent of course!) to price out options and determine what will and won't be in your home.  And finally, THE CONTRACT!

The plans get made, selections finalized, dirt moved and concrete poured!   Sticks and bricks coming together to form your dream home!

sticks and bricks

And as the home gets close to having the drywall installed, you have a choice:

Should you hire a home inspector?

For us, the answer is clear:  YES, YES, YES! 

Typically the builder's rep and the site superintendent will let you know that you don't need a home inspection because they build to code, and the county checks their work, etc.

But here's the catch in our view point:

Code isn't everything, not even close.  And once the drywall goes up you're never going to see inside those walls again unless there's a major problem.  And all it takes is one subcontractor having less than an ideal day and a problem that will go undetected for months or years become your problem to deal with LONG after your builder's warranty is up.

So while you might prefer to save the money of a home inspection to spend on more options for your home, this expense is well worth it.

Have a trained professional check out your home before the drywall goes up, and it's not a bad idea to have them check it again prior to closing.

Interested in finding out more about new construction homes in the Cincinnati area?  Contact us at 513-520-5305 or Liz@LizSpear.com

Liz and Bill aka BLiz

 

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Serving Warren County Ohio & Adjacent Areas

The Liz Spear Team of Transaction Alliance
Elizabeth Spear, ABR, Ohio License SAL.2002007747

William (Bill) Spear, Ohio License SAL.2004011109  Kentucky 77938
Ask for us by name if you visit the office!

EHO
Bill Direct:  513-520-5305
Liz Direct: 513-265-3004     
Fax: 866-302-8418

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Comments (14)

Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Yes, Yes, Yes! Builders and their contractors make mistakes just like any one else.

If the house is in process, it is the perfect time to make a correction!

May 04, 2016 11:21 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Always such an importnat topic for conversation with a new home buyer 

May 04, 2016 01:07 PM
Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

The longest checklist I've ever gotten on an inspection was on a new home. I always recommend it. Good post!

May 04, 2016 01:34 PM
JM Padron, CCIM, CCP
THE JMTEAM NETWORK - Orlando, FL
CCIM, CCP, International Commercial Broker

It is highly recommended, It is incredible the list of punch items that without an inspector will be noticed 

May 04, 2016 09:40 PM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Bill - In addition to always recommending pre-drywall and final inspections on new construction, we also suggest an inspection about 11 months after closing, just before the builder's warranty expires.

May 05, 2016 02:40 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Bill agreed. And as Dick mentioned we do suggest buyers have the final inspection just before the warranty expires. Most do that.

May 05, 2016 04:54 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Evelyn, We're all human, with all that comes with that.

Lise,  It's their call, but always our recommendation to have one done.

Mimi, sometimes they don't know as much as you hope about what they're doing.

JM, There's a lot we can catch based on our experience, but we're not a match for an experienced inspector.

Dick, Makes sense for that last one, although I haven't heard of anyone around here doing so.

AB, Sounds like a really good idea.

May 05, 2016 06:35 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Bill and Liz I agree a home inspection is a must.  In my opinion it is the best money the Buyer will spend.

May 05, 2016 09:24 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Places where I look are:

1. Heater registers-often find lunch bag, apple core, nails, saw dust

2. siding often they forget to nail one or several siding from distraction,

3. I look at electrical panel wiring, Often I can tell the shoddy workmanship.

4. Electric outlet wiring, ground test if the wires are reversed.

5. I measure floors evenness with a leveler. Some floors are sloped.

6. I checked all appliances to confirm they work

7. I look under every sink, bath shower see if the coupling, connection which can cause leakage.

8. I get to roof chimney examine flashing 

The list is long.....

May 08, 2016 02:51 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Hey, B'Liz!  I included this post in today's Last Week's Favorites!

May 08, 2016 04:00 AM
Les & Sarah Oswald
Realty One Group - Eastvale, CA
Broker, Realtor and Investor

Let me shout it out...the answer is YES!

It is one of the wisest expense that a new construction buyer can spend.

May 08, 2016 05:57 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

George, Considering the overall price of a home, the cost of a home inspection is a minor expense and a good investment.

Sam, The list is certainly long!

Pat, Thanks for including us this week!

Les & Sarah, Always good to have a professional assess a home.

May 08, 2016 09:14 PM
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

In our area buyers typically do not choose to do inspections on new constructions, which is a little mind-boggling for all the reasons you mention.

May 09, 2016 12:46 PM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Olga, I think many buyers look to save themselves money when building new and one of the first things they do is skip the home inspection.

May 09, 2016 11:04 PM