Thursday 12 July 2012

Why new homes should be inspected prior to purchase


Many home buyers believe they do not need to perform a home inspection if a house is less than five years old.  While understandable, this is a dramatic misconception that could prove costly. 
Even brand new homes will have defects of one kind or another, regardless of the construction quality. This happens since homes are built by humans, and there are bound to be oversights and mistakes that could give rise to flaws in the house.
Moreover, the first occupants of a brand new home may make modifications or perform renovations while they are living there.  This could include changes to the electrical wiring, or installation of a new bathroom.  If they list the home for sale after a few years, potential problems should not be overlooked.
For this reason, new homes should be inspected regardless of whether they will be delivered along with a builder's warranty. Home buyers assume they do not require a professional home inspector as municipal building inspectors conduct inspections on new homes. But that alone may not be enough.   As a future owner of the home, you want a certified inspector to investigate the home from the perspective of an occupant, which is a much higher standard of care.  There is a marked distinction between a professional home inspection and one performed by a county or municipal inspector. The county/municipal inspector confirms code compliance. The home inspection report prepared by the qualified home inspector will provide a comprehensive summary of all areas of concern.
Though there are quality control programs in place for new construction, it does not indicate future construction problems that might have been overlooked during that phase. These defects might show up later in the life of the house, most likely after the builder warranty has expired – but while you may still be an occupant of the home.

Home owners usually encounter these problems after the first year or two without knowing the actual reasons. Only a professional home inspector can conduct an in-depth inspection and point out the various issues to the prospective owner.
Buyers of brand new or relatively new homes should not overlook the home inspection portion of the purchase process.  A high quality home inspection is always worth the minor investment – considering the overall cost of a new home.

3 comments:

  1. I love this wonderful blog on the other hand I'm looking for the post of Staten Island home inspector. Better to keep it up!

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  2. Thank you so much for posting this information. I have been trying to see if I should really hire a building inspector and after I read this my decision was certainly made!

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  3. Purchasing a new home is a very exciting thing and we have to spend a lot of money while buying a home, so we must always take help of a Manhattan Beach Certified Home Inspector.

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