As new home construction continues to take an increasing share of the market, more and more home buyers may find themselves asking the question, “Do I need a home inspection on a brand-new home?”
We’ve answered this question before, but the sentiment bears repeating. Not only are new buyers entering the market all the time, but if you’ve purchased a new construction home recently, you could learn a thing or two — and your one-year new home warranty may be coming up soon, so there’s your Builder’s Warranty Inspection to think about. What’s that? Keep reading.
Here are some reasons why new construction homes need an inspection:
Construction Mistakes
You won’t often get a more clear example of why new construction phase inspections are so important than this video. The owners of this 2005 home are looking at some major repairs that could have been avoided by a simple shim placement during the construction process. Phase inspections are a series of inspections that take place during construction to make sure that each phase of construction is completed according to code, so that any mistakes can be corrected before moving on to the next phase.
Negligence
This is a plumbing vent that allows air into sinks and drains to allow gas to escape and proper airflow when flushing and draining. The cap that’s closing it off is preventing it from doing its job, which will not only prevent the plumbing from flowing efficiently, it could create a dangerous build-up of sewer gas that could eventually explode.
Because this is a new construction home, the cap was likely placed there during construction to test drains and was simply left in place by accident. It should be replaced with a cap with a vent to allow airflow while preventing critters from entering the home.
Mother Nature
@greenscenehome Even brand new homes have problems we find during home inspections, like this outdoor outlet that has been shorted by a burned wire. #newconstructionhome #homeinspectionfinds #dfwhomeinspector #dallasrealestate #fortworthrealestate #greenscenehome #askahomeinspector #critters #homeinspection ♬ original sound – Green Scene Home Inspections
Sometimes, no one does anything wrong, but damage occurs naturally, whether it be wind, water, or as in this case a critter. The proper materials were used, and everybody did everything right here. But some varmint likely came along and chewed through the conduit to the outdoor light and shorted out the electrical outlet on this brand-new house.
Not a huge fix, but knowledge gained, and time saved when you later wonder why that light and outlet don’t work.
Time is a Factor
Time becomes a factor with new construction homes and inspections in two situations. First, when the home has sat empty for a while before the owner moves in. Second, when the owners have lived in the home for close to a year and their new home warranty is about to be up.
In the first situation, a number of things can happen to the house that needs inspecting, like in the video where the flashing has pulled away from the bricks on the roof. The inspector would have checked inside as well to see if any water had intruded while the area wasn’t protected.
In the second situation, the owner will want to have a Builder’s Warranty Inspection, which is the final phase inspection. The inspector will check every detail in the home to make sure everything is working properly after about 11 months of living in the home. Anything that has failed or malfunctioned and is covered under the Builder’s Warranty can be fixed while that policy is still in effect.
Hopefully, you’ve got some new thoughts about why new construction homes need an inspection. There are just so many details that go into all the different systems of a home, that it would be almost impossible to expect any home to be perfect.
