new Home Inspections

Some people feel that newly constructed homes do not need to be inspected because the local building inspector checks the house or building before issuing the Certificate of Occupancy. New construction needs an inspection just as existing construction needs an inspection.

Prior to the commencement of a house being constructed the builder or developer must file and obtain a building permit from the municipality is issued. Periodic inspections are completed by the municipality inspection department The local building inspector is checking for compliance with applicable building codes and zoning codes, whether the building is built according to the plans that were filed at the building department, and whether the building is constructed in a manner that is acceptable to the municipality.

The local building inspector is not checking many of the things that our North Carolina licensed home inspectors inspect. In fact, there is little overlap between the things that our inspectors inspect and the things the local building inspector checks. After the inspection, a detailed report with digital photos helps you understand the condition of the building.

PROBLEMS FOUND IN NEW CONSTRUCTION

The following defects were uncovered during a recent inspection by one of our North Carolina licensed home inspectors of a newly constructed house. These are all problems that should be corrected prior to moving into the house. No Certificate of Occupancy had been issued at the time we performed the inspection.

There was no access panel for the Jacuzzi motor
Paint spatters were present on the windows
The handrail on the main steps was improperly installed
Many of the windows did not latch properly
The central air-conditioning system was missing the condensate pump
The garage door opener was not connected
The kitchen cabinet doors were improperly adjusted
There was evidence of water penetration into the basement
The were non-structural foundation cracks that needed to be patched
The front door could not be opened from the inside
The threshold of the front door not caulked
Permanent support blocks not installed on piers

Many potential problems are beyond the scope of the local building inspector’s inspection. This includes obvious minor problems such as a kitchen cabinet door that does not latch properly. Careful purchasers may detect some problems. Having a pre-purchase inspection performed by one of our North Carolina licensed home inspectors maximizes your chances of finding the problems before you move in.