Why Should You Get A Home Inspection On A New Home?
The ideal reason for carrying out a home inspection is to get critical insights of the house you’re moving into. While it also gives a chance to prevent costly repairs later. Homebuyers’ decision to skip a home inspection is quite predictable when buying a new house. They might assume they don’t need a home inspection in Fort Worth if the house is newly built and meets their needs. This is false; homebuyers shall perform a home inspection whether or not they are buying a new house.
Common Problems Found In A New Home
Although it appears that new homes should be near-perfect, so you might think about moving in as soon as possible. Still, many claims that they frequently have hidden problems. Structural issues like foundation fractures, improper grading, and shoddy framing are some of the frequent issues discovered during new-construction home inspections. Below we have discussed some common problems found in a new home:
Improper Grading And Drainage – This could be a very significant issue. Proper grading and drainage are essential for not letting water seep around the foundation and damage it. This water may even freeze throughout the winter, leading to cracks in the foundation.
Shrinkage Cracks In Concrete – Shrinkage cracks may eventually appear in improperly mixed concrete with high water content, even though they might not be immediately noticeable. Although these fractures are not structural, they provide a pathway for water to leak into the cement. These holes may expand when the water freezes, causing drooping and heaving.
Separating Wood Flooring – Large gaps may be challenging to close because of faulty installation and changes in the house’s amount of moisture. This is typical in drier regions with significant variations in humidity. The wood’s expansion and contraction cause movement. The original cause might have been that the wood flooring didn’t get time to adapt to the surroundings before installation.
Overlooked Painting – One of the most typical new home issues is an often-overlooked paint. You might discover that certain portions of a newly constructed home, such as the basement, utility closets, and other tucked-away areas, have not been professionally painted. The very last step of the building also includes touch-up painting. After the examination, you can fix many of these issues.
Dirty Duct Systems – Construction generates a lot of dust and debris, which, if not properly cleaned, can accumulate in your ducts and affect the HVAC system. During construction, the floor registers should be sealed off or covered, but frequently coverings are damaged or improperly set up. As a result, professionals often notice large amounts of sawdust and wood fragments at the registers.
Improper Plumbing Hookups – It’s possible that plumbing hookups and pipes have been placed incorrectly and may even violate local construction standards if the home builder does not utilize an experienced plumber. Fixtures with reversed hot and cold sides are the most typical problem most inspectors encounter.
Incorrect Appliance Installation – Since installing appliances is one of the final tasks to be finished when building a new house. You should always check to ensure they are installed correctly, including dishwashers, garbage disposals, washers, dryers, and refrigerators.
Floor Scratches And Wall Damage – Heavy machinery and materials dragged about a house can scratch and damage it, but the seller should fix it before the home is listed for sale or finished and prepared for closing. Watch out for damage to the walls and scrapes in the wood floors.
Window Issues – Windows installed incorrectly can later require pricey replacement or repairs. Over time, problems, including malfunctioning locks, broken thermal seals, and draughts, might develop.
How Many Inspections Do You Need?
Professional home inspectors in Fort Worth, TX, often advise three home inspections for newly built homes, and three of those are as follows:
The Foundation Inspection:
Just before pouring the foundation, there is a foundation inspection. It guarantees that the site has been properly dug, graded, and equipped with anchors and footings spaced apart and in place. Everything is in place for a solid, long-lasting home. Before pouring the foundation, the builder might make changes—after which there is frequently no turning back.
The Framing Inspection:
After the frame construction, there is an inspection known as a “pre-drywall/sheetrock” inspection. The walls and sheetrock haven’t been built yet, but the roof is up, and the windows are in.
The inspector can confirm the proper installation of the studs, posts, beams, and other structural elements. They can examine concerns hiding behind walls later, such as wiring, plumbing, window flashing, and other items. If any issues arise, your builder can fix them before continuing the job.
The Final Inspection:
Like any other resale property, you would undergo a third and final inspection. It makes sure the house is secure. Its construction follows regional building codes.
Before closing, your builder should also make any repairs that your inspector identifies at this point.
What New Home Inspectors Look For?
At each level, home inspectors examine a variety of features. During the pre-pour inspection, the majority of inspectors will check the drain, waste, and vent lines while assessing a freshly constructed home. Additionally, they’ll examine the soil, elevation, drainage, grading, trenches, pipes, and water lines. They will also consider the regional construction codes, which can differ by county or city.
It covers stairwells, leaks, water intrusion, mold concerns, nails, screws, studs, and plates. It searches for plumbing, wiring, HVAC, and ducting issues, as well as fire blocking and draught prevention. Beams, bearings, and other framing components are inspected during the frame inspection.
The most thorough inspection is the last one. It includes:
- Plumbing, toilets, sinks, and sump pumps
- Electrical conductors, circuit breakers, meters, and panelboards
- Attic, insulation, and ventilation
- Appliances, such as dishwashers, disposals, ovens, microwaves, and sprinkler systems
- Roof, chimney, and gutters
- Doors and windows
- Exterior items, like walkways, driveways, sheds, decks, patios, and garages
- Foundation, basements, and crawl spaces
- HVAC systems, including the thermostat
On the whole, even if a new house may appear flawless to the untrained eye, this does not imply that it is perfect. And so, to know that you’re making the best choice, hire the best home inspector in Fort Worth.
