A common phrase I hear when it comes to new construction properties is "We don't need a home inspection. We're buying new construction". This idea is good in theory but unfortunately is not the case. The truth is that it is just as important to have a new construction home inspected as an older property.
Some commons issues I find in new construction homes include improper cutouts on structural floor joists, safety issues such as missing handrails, and lack of observance of current building requirements. And though new homes have to pass code inspectors, not all things are seen by the code inspectors. Part of the reason is due to the work load heaped on code inspectors. If they have 15-20 job site to visit in one day, they may only have 15-20 minutes to spend at each site which is not enough time to adequately assess the quality of a system or installation. It's not right but it's the way it is.
I recently inspected a new construction home for a past client. The home was a high-end property and looked very nice. When I arrived at the house and introduced myself to the builder rep, he stated "If you want to document cosmetic issues, go ahead because that's all you'll find". OK, I like a challenge. Unfortunately for the builder, I didn't have to look to hard to find numerous glaring defects: a gas leak odor around the main gas line manifold in the basement, missing firestop sealant at penetrations through the basement ceiling, exposed nailheads on the roof from improper nail placement, and the bottom step on a rounded staircase that protruded into a hallway and improperly reduced the width of the walking surface in the hallway to 26 inches (minimum width for walking surfaces in homes is no less than 36 inches). The protruding step created a safety hazard for anybody in the house and would not be a cheap item to repair.
While home builders do offer warranties on their houses, the warranty is only good if the defects are found before settlement or within the warranty period. I often see homes that are less than 5 years old with glaring defects that are a result of improper work on the part of the builder. The home owner who may decide to sell the home in the near future may now be on the hook for paying to get the defects repaired in order to sell the house.
I recently inspected a new construction condo in Philadelphia. The unit was loaded with various safety issues. Steps were missing handrails, and railing was missing on top of a low half-wall that overlooked a deep 1st-to-2nd floor stairwell, and a gas furnace and water heater were improperly installed in a bedroom closet. The units pulled combustion make-up air from the bedroom which is prohibited by current building practices. When I called the items out as needing correction, the builder insisted the water heater and furnace were installed to code but after I provided specific code references, the agreed to change the water heater and furnace to units that were allowed for installation in a bedroom closet. In addition, the same unit was missing AFCI circuit breakers in the service panel which are required on circuits controlling bedroom lighting and outlets. I wondered if anybody at all checked on the quality of this builder's work during the construction process and what other defects/safety issues existed in other units in the same building.
So how do some of these things slip through the cracks? It may be an issue of lack of supervision during the constrcution phases, lack of skilled workers, a worker who is dissatisfied with his employer, or a general lack of pride in your work. I have seen the sump pit in some basements used as toilet and never cleaned out. Not exactly what one expects from new construction.
A new home may look great but is is only as good as the people building it.
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