New Homes Still Need Inspecting

Build vs. buy - it’s the hot topic of late. The increasing popularity of the home building is being fueled by the home buyers wanting more choices - like living in a specific location or customizing a home with more options than they can find in an existing house.

But more choices mean more decisions when building a new home. It can be one of the most confusing – not to mention expensive – things a consumer can do. Yet one of the easiest decisions is quite often overlooked – having an inspection performed to verify the quality construction and workmanship of a new home.

According to the National Association of Realtors®, only 41% of the newly constructed homes are inspected prior to closing; even less are examined while they are being built. This percentage is fairly low when compared to the estimated 90% of existing homes inspected. New homes are also averaging 7.5 defects or flaws resulting in five to nine builder “call backs” in the first year of ownership, says the National Association of Home Builders®. Faulty foundations, moisture intrusion and improper ductwork, drainage and flashing and some of the most common issues home inspectors find in new home construction today. And many times they show up months, or even years, after the buyer has moved in -- and the builder has moved on.

With all the time, energy and money spent building a new home, an unexpected construction error or deficiency is the last thing a buyer would like to have happen. Hiring an independent home inspector is perhaps the best way to stay informed. The home inspector acts on the buyer’s behalf and evaluates all the major systems of a new home, identifying any potential issues they become unpleasant surprises.

Some builders are themselves hiring home inspectors to produce a better quality home. Working directly with builders, home inspectors provide an unbiased, third party assessment, verifying a builder’s quality of construction. New home inspections reduce customer call backs and strengthen a builder’s reputation, ultimately helping consumers purchase better homes.

New homes are often presumed to be exempt from human error. But when making such a large investment, identifying defects that might otherwise become hidden or difficult to repair when the walls go up could save tens of thousands of dollars in the long run for both home buyers and home builders.

Safeguard your clients with inspections specifically designed for new home construction. New construction inspections coordinate with specific times during the building process – from prior to move-in, to the expiration of the builder’s one-year warranty – providing peace of mind that a new home has been soundly constructed.

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