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Depending on your new home’s construction timeline and the policies of your builder, you may have the opportunity for periodic walkthroughs during the construction process. The framing inspection is important because, as with the pre-pour inspection, many of these systems and components are about to be covered by insulation and drywall. Repairs or adjustments won’t necessarily be impossible after the fact, but they’ll certainly be more complicated and costly. Foundation repairs are costly, so it’s important to ensure that structural supports and piping are properly installed and capable of functioning before they’re covered in concrete. To find a suitable inspector, ask your real estate agent for a referral, or you can Google “new home inspector ” as a starting point. Get your checklist outlining the primary steps in the most critical new construction inspections.
You should also be aware of some of the other potential issues that can crop up with homes such as mold, radon, lead paint, asbestos and potable drinking water. It is vital the home inspector checks out all of these things for you. After conducting research and vetting options, you should have a professional home inspector you can rely on who knows what to look for in each part of the home. However, understanding what the inspector is looking for can help you ask questions to better understand the extent of the damage. This checklist is a comprehensive overview of what to look for in a home inspection.
Plumbing System
Sometimes, issues in new homes are the direct result of its status as new construction. Contractors might move too quickly, subcontractors might have lower standards of due diligence, and sometimes mistakes just plain happen. You might think that it would be best to stay out of your inspector’s way and let them do their job, but it’s quite to the contrary. Plan on being at the property for the inspection appointment, and don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions. However, it may be best to reserve your questions for the very end or during breaks to not distract them from their work.
The home inspection is one of the most important items to pay attention to when it comes to buying a new home. It will give you the low down on the most important systems and aspects of the property you are considering investing in. The inspection becomes even more essential when you are buying a fixer-upper house. Homes that need work bring an extra level of due diligence as there is no telling what significant problems could be found. After the home inspection, you’ll receive a written report that covers the property’s major features and notes any problematic issues that may need attention. A home inspection usually takes place right after the seller accepts an offer from the buyer.
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Surprise repairs lead to surprise expenses, which can easily put a damper on the excitement of your new home. By bringing in a qualified home inspector, you can limit the risks of future repairs and get the information you need to make the right decision for your future. To be prepared, we recommend printing this checklist and keeping it handy throughout the home inspection.
Builders may also have you inspect the house earlier in the home construction process, after each contractor team finishes. Blue tape walkthroughs occur near the end of the building process after any smaller inspections are done. We have already mentioned the roof, HVAC system, and the foundation, but when it comes to buying a home, don’t stop there. In a worst-case scenario, your lender may even refuse to release funds even though you think you have found your dream home. Some loan products such as FHA and VA require homes to be in acceptable condition. When defects are found that don't meet these baseline requirements a loan will not be granted.
Ask Questions
In some states, laws and regulations are dictating the type of information required in a disclosure statement. Generally speaking, they include a series of yes or no questions from the seller. Homebuyers should aim to get a disclosure statement before an official home inspection is conducted. You’ve made an offer on a home, your offer was accepted, and now you’re in escrow waiting for inspection day. With a home inspection checklist by your side, you’ll move into the home of your dreams in no time.
Before your inspection day, you should also get a seller’s disclosure statement, which will help you identify any additional issues you want your inspector to look at. If they disclosed that they had a leaky window replaced or repaired, make sure that gets extra attention from your inspector. There is no reason why you should not use the home inspection report to ask for a price drop if warranted. If you are going to have to spend money getting repairs done, it is important to make sure you are aware of the costs.
Block out an entire morning or afternoon for the inspection — it’s important not to rush this process. Your agent can be present, along with the seller’s agent, who would be there to provide answers to any questions the inspector might have. You don’t have to follow the inspector into the crawlspace — they bring protective clothing just for that.
We’re located in Sandy, Utah, and serve most of Northern Utah, including Salt Lake City, Draper, Lehi, and more. Contact us today for a free quote and to schedule a quality home inspection. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
When construction is finished and the home is nearly ready for move-in, it’s time for the final inspection. Ideally, this inspection should take place at least a few days before your own final walkthrough so that any concerns can be addressed before it’s your turn to sign off on completion. Yes, there are some aspects of the home inspection that are more important than others. For instance, the home inspector will make a special point of checking the roof, foundation and mechanical systems such as the heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical. Not only do these areas concern the safety of those who live in the home but are very costly to repair or replace.
At HomeLight, our vision is a world where every real estate transaction is simple, certain, and satisfying. Therefore, we promote stricteditorial integrity in each of our posts. You can use a piece of toilet paper placed against the fan to determine if it is drawing correctly. If the floor is vinyl, is the vinyl flooring curling, cut, or torn in areas.
If an inspection unearths problems, you can negotiate with the seller to lower the home’s price or arrange for repairs before closing. You may even decide to cancel the sale if there’s a big problem with the home and you can’t negotiate a lower purchase price or otherwise reach an agreement with the seller. You should schedule the final home inspection a few days before your final walkthrough. This inspection is the most time-consuming of the three phases because it incorporates all the major systems in the home. The pre-pour foundation period is the first opportunity you have to raise a critical eye before construction is underway.
A good rule of thumb is only to negotiate the cost of major repairs. If it can be described as normal wear and tear, the buyer will likely be responsible for it. A good inspector will take the time to walk you through the report and their findings. This may include any damage or wear that they found in the home, no matter how minor. It’s their job to make note of every flaw, so your report will likely have a lot of issues listed on it. This does not mean that everything is something that should cause concern – they’ll be able to help you discern what may be hazardous or a red flag.
To describe systems and components of fireplaces and fuel-burning appliances, the inspector should inspect chimneys, vent systems, fireplaces, stoves and fireplace inserts. So that they may describe the energy sources and heating system, the inspector should inspect installed heating equipment, vent systems and heat distribution systems. This does not typically include an inspection of heating systems that are not “readily accessible,” such as the interior of chimneys.
Any structural problems can prevent the sale of the property from going through. It is also a good idea to pay attention to how energy efficient home appliances are if they are part of the sale. Before you even get to the point of hiring a professional, you should pay close attention to the state of the home yourself.
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