Should You Hire an Inspector When Building Your New Home?

Is it really necessary to hire your own Home Inspector When Building Your new home?

Unfinished New Construction Home, with the question Should You Hire Your Own Inspector?

Yes, You Should Hire a Home Inspector when building your new home! Getting your own inspector protects your Interests and will keep your builder on their toes. And the inspection report gives you the leverage you need to hold your builder accountable. 

You don’t get what you EXPECT, you get what you INSPECT.

You should expect your builder to build you a beautiful and worry free home. However things can and do go wrong during construction, even the best builders make and overlook mistakes. These mistakes may otherwise not become apparent until well after the warranty period is up. Savvy Homeowners hire their own home inspector when building a new home. A Home Inspection when building protects you from being on the hook later for costly repairs stemming from something that wasn’t done right in the first place. 

But my builder already hires an independent or warranty inspector.

That’s great, for your builder; It reduces their liability, makes them look good and is a nice selling point. But this does little for you. Just follow the money – Your builder Vets, Hires and pays those inspectors. Bottom line, they’re working for the builder or warranty company and looking out for their best interests, Not Yours. 

Missing insulation caught by home inspector on a new construction home

Take a look at this photo from a recent inspection. This home had passed all the builders internal & external inspections, City Code Inspection and an independent energy audit with Energy Star Certification! However most of the attic was void of insulation! All those inspections and no one bothered to look in the attic to verify.

We’re Building New, How Much Could Possibly Be Found By a Home Inspector?

On average 40 – 60 defects! Based on the past 4 years inspecting new builds we are finding an average of between 40 to 70 reportable defects with some new construction homes having more! Defects with manufactured stone veneer facades or missing kick out flashing are very common on new builds and can cause some real damage! Our clients tell us their builders, once provided with the home inspection report, are agreeing to correct most of the defects listed! We love hearing this, and it is a sign you’re working with a good & honest builder! 

When Should I Have My New Construction Home Inspected?

The best times to inspect your new build are at these 3 phases:

  1. Pre-Drywall Inspection. 
    1. A Pre-Drywall Inspection should happen right about the time insulation starts to go in and before drywall starts. Inspecting at this time will catch defects that would otherwise get covered up.
  2. Closing Inspection.
    1. The Closing Inspection should be scheduled after substantial completion and before closing. You will need enough time before signing to provide the report to the builder and get a response in writing of the defects they acknowledge and agree to correct.
  3. End Of Warranty Inspection.
    1. Most builders give a 1 year warranty, So an 11 Month Inspection is the last opportunity to have things fixed on the builders dime. Having your home inspected before your warranty is up will save you from getting stuck paying for the builder’s mistakes.

Let Your Builder Know You’ll be Hiring Your Own Inspector.

Consumers in the know protect themselves by hiring a reputable licensed Home Inspector to inspect their new build. Make sure to let your builder know, Just knowing their work will be looked at by a professional will motivate them to produce their best. And with the inspection report you will be in a position to hold them accountable when they don’t. 

If you found this article helpful or have any questions please let us know in the comments below. We would love to hear from you!

You can also book your inspection here.

Arthur Duhaime

OHI2019005236

Home Inspector Arthur Duhaime on a bench with his 2 sons

0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *