If you are building, it is always a good idea to have several inspections during the construction period. In htis environment with builders failing right and left, the temptation to take shortcuts to reduce cost is too great. We also provide all our new construction buyers a home warranty that covers years 2-5 of ownership beyond the builder warranty.

No.

Inspections during foundation, framing, pre-sheetrock, finish-out are more important than a TREC home inspection. The local code compliance may or may not be satisfactory to the buyer. If not, then a visiting building inspector is recommended at each milestone.

If you have to hire a TREC inspector during the building, find a different builder. Most things the buyers find are during the building phases are easily identified and corrected. The buyer should document them, though, because less reliable builders will verbally agree to fix something and then wall up the offense.

The best approach after construction is to wait on a home inspection until 30 days before the builder's warranty expires. At that time the inspector should bring a list of the defects for the builder to resolve. In this way, if there are issues with infant mortality of appliances, slow leaks and so on, they will be caught right along with the reversed plugs, disconnected ducts and so on. It also gives the buyer time to record and document any issues he finds over the 6 to 11 months before the warranty expires.

New construction homes have defects as well as resale homes, therefore, you should always hire an independent inspector that is looking out for your interests rather than the builder. Your Realtor will have a reliable and experienced list of inspectors that you can choose from as well as other invaluable advice and opinions concerning your purchase. Your Realtor, your buyer's representative, is not someone you want to leave behind just because it is new construction. We will walk you through the process and be a constant and vigilant resource that you will come to rely on way beyond your purchase. Hope you find your absolute dream home!

100% definately... Especially in new construction and before closing you want to make sure everything was built to code and correctly. As with any home inspection they will look at the fondation, roof, windows, siding, electric, plumbing, heating or cooling system and check the interior as well. New construction can be tricky for thise who have not experienced it before. just because it is new doesnt mean it was done righht. Good lUck with your new home.

Vero, ABSOLUTELY get an independent inspection on new construction. At a minimum, get the inspector to come on the same day as the final walk-thru on the home, and turn their inspection findings over to the builder as part of the final punch list on the home. Even better to get phase inspections if you are building that new home, and have the inspector come out the day the slab is poured, at the framing stage, pre-drywall, and at your first walk-thru when the builder is calling the house completed construction. Some people also call out their inspector in the 11th month of the 1st year in the home, which the home is still under builder warranty, and get a final punch list of warranty work done before the builder's 1-year warranty items expire. Some items in the home (like appliances and fixtures) may still be under warranty even after the first year. Be sure to check your manuals. Many people miss this and do repairs in the first 5 years that could have been covered by the manufacturer.

YES! You need to get an inspection. New does NOT imply without defect. Have you ever bought something new that didn't work properly?

Please get an inspection. You may find defects and it will keep the agents reading this thread from taking more blood pressure medicine. :)

It is ALWAYS important to have a home inspection for all homes!! This is a small price to pay for one of the largest investments most people make. I have seen major problems with new construction. That builder no matter how big or how small cannot oversee all the work being done on that home. Get a home inspection on any home that you purchase to protect your investment and at the same time give yourself peace of mind!

Sandy

Vero,

I think so. I think it is good for them to do a 3 phase inspection too. Once before the slab is poured, one prior to sheetrock, and a final. I see a long list of problems on new houses as we do on resales. Afterall the resales were at once new too. The biggest difference is that the builders normally seem very eager to address most of the issues before closing. Sometimes individual sellers can be more difficult. These days with the labor issues, people working on new homes may not always have good experience. I've seen kids laying tile and I've talked to framers who looked confused who said it was their first time to frame. When building a new house I think you have to keep after and watch closly all the subs.

Bruce

Vero,

We agree with the importance of having any home inspected prior to purchasing it. Further, it has been our experience that since new homes have not had someone living in them to "work the bugs out" they tend to have more than their share of issues.

Even with a builder's warranty in place an inspection is important.......it's amazing what the eyes of a trained inspector can uncover.

Our advice....don't climb in bed with the builder, keep them honest with an inspection.

Good luck
The Eckler Team

Vero.
It is the best idea to get an inspector. Your inspecter can even help you inspect the home as it is built.
Good luck and if you need any help in looking for a new home please don't hesitate to ask.
Thank you,
Jeff

You would be crazy to buy ANY home without an inspection.
New construction usually comes with a warranty.... but, that is only good if something breaks right away.

I tell all my buyers to have inspections EVEN the new construction. DON'T however, use an inspector that the builder will "recommend" for you. You need to get someone that has nothing to do with that builder so that you get a truly non-biased view and once over. As Chris & Tamara/Bob have said, it is a very small cost when you're talking about your largest investment. Take care of it from the very beginning.

Good luck.

Hi Vero,

I've had anything from inadequate paint to outright defects in the home be detected in the home inspection. I've also resold home for people that didn't have their home inspected when they bought it brand new and they (the sellers) end up having to do work that the builder should have done in the first place. A home inspection is a very small cost to pay for the peace of mind it will give you. Hopefully it will show no defects, that is the goal, but it could show some significant issues.

It is always a good idea to have a home inspection, even on new construction. It is such a small price to pay when investing in such a large purchase. It is always good to know about even small problems so you are not surprised when you go to sell and have the new buyer call them out.

Tamara Dowd
Associate Broker,
Skyline Properties
425-750-6892