Picture this.  You have been searching for the perfect home and finally you find it, its brand new never lived in and ready for your personal touches.  And because its new why would you need an inspection?  No one has ever lived in it, everything is new, so you want to save a few hundred dollars in an already expensive time, I get it. But it really depends on how you look at it.

Many new homeowners see an inspection as a valuable tool to provide insight to their properties construction as well as the opportunity to point out and prevent costly repairs when the warranty is out of date.  Some may think "Well my builder is extremely reputable, there won't be anything wrong".  That may or may not be true.  Think of how many people work on a home to build it; You have framers, electricians, plumbing, HVAC and the list goes on, that is a lot of people who are in and out of a home at different times and with busy build schedules its easy for them to forget to communicate with each other.

One of the key components is a home inspection is conducted by a third party (not the builder) to evaluate the structure, systems, appliances and other features and provide a report of the findings so the builder will be on the hook to complete the work.  Because most of us are not professionals at looking for home defects because we have never built a home, we rely on professionals to help us with that component.  What happens when we don't get an inspection is we often miss key findings and one issue could pay for the inspection itself, let alone if they find several.  Spending a few hundred dollars to know what you're buying or having the headache down the road dealing with the builder to fix it in my opinion is worth its weight in gold.

Here are some common issues found in new homes:

Though the natural thought is new homes are problem free, I spoke with Ryan at House To Home Inspections and here are some common defects that have been found during a new home inspection:

• Structural defects: Foundation cracks, poor framing and attic issues
• Drainage and grading issues, which could lead to water and structural damage in the future
• Window and Door leaks
• HVAC issues, improper venting, loose wiring, unsealed ducts etc
• Electrical problems, such as improperly wired outlets, open grounds, and missing switch plates
• Plumbing issues, including reversed hot/cold in faucets, improper piping, leaks, and more

Inspectors many times also find incomplete projects.  If you think of a new build, there are several trades involved working at different times and schedules so its easy for something to be missed or damaged by lack of communication between trades during the building process.  This could include insufficient insulation, half-installed handrails or fixtures, damaged plumbing or missing pieces of hardware.

To summarize inspections help ensure you are buying a safe, hazard-free home and that you are making a good investment that won’t require a ton of repairs when you move in or in the future.  By ensuring you do your due diligence as a buyer you will be much happier in the long run.

New construction home inspections allow you to be proactive about your home purchase. On a resale property, you can only inspect the home after the fact—meaning all you can do is repair an issue. 

Remember, don’t judge a book by its cover. Just because a new home may look flawless to the naked eye doesn’t mean it’s perfect below the surface. Having a home inspection can ensure you’re making the best decision for your future of your home and family.