New Home Inspections

The foundation is the single most important component of home construction. This is where all the forces of the planet have impact on the home. The most common form of foundation material is poured concrete which does well against the forces of the earth. Cement block is still popular and of course there are wooden and manufactured foundations as well. The inspection of the footings and walls prior to backfill is the critical timing phase of construction. Getting the exact time down with your builder is paramount to successfully performing a foundation inspection.

The important components are exposed to view such as: footing drains, perimeter drains, gravel, silt cloth, bitumen coatings, form tie sealants, polyethylene wrap (or similar material), type of fill dirt, etc. All these components need to be in place properly prior to backfill to help ensure a watertight foundation. Commonly the basement slab is not in place, so the plumbing drain and vent system, sump crock location and collector pipes, column footers, beam pockets, brick ledges are available for review. Of course, slab type foundations (built on grade) would have their inspection prior to concrete being poured. This will enable you to inspect the footers along with the plumbing, strengthening wire/rebar, forms, site elevation, etc.

Common problems found are: improperly vibrated concrete, honeycombed walls, cold pours, cracks, site elevation problems, column pads in the wrong locations, walk-outs, window locations, tie down straps not installed, crooked walls or out of square, perimeter drains installed improperly and so on.

Pre-drywall Inspections: back to top

The second phase of inspections has to do with the framing, HVAC, plumbing and electrical rough-ins. The framing is exposed to view so we can see all the different types of construction techniques used to build your new home. Common inspection practice is to begin at the top and follow the loads to the bottom, making sure they hit on something solid, preferably the foundation or columns designed to carry the load above. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has performance guidelines for framing tolerances etc. The inspector usually works within these guidelines which often reflects the installers ability to perform the installation.

Common problems and mistakes consist of: missing supports, undersized or out of plumb lally columns, cut or altered floor systems, engineered wood products damaged or cut, broken truss components, inadequate bracing of roof systems, improper nailing, loose sub-floors, unsupported stairs, bowed framing, crooked windows and doors, missing fire-stop and insulation materials, undersized framing, unshimmed headers, load transfers, condensate drains, missing plumbing vents, energy bracing with holes, and so on. The average number of concerns is 40 -50 per home from minor to major issues which need attention prior to concealment. Think about it!

Final Walk-through Inspections: back to top

The last phase is inspecting the quality of the finished new home just before you take ownership. You have probably followed the construction of the home for several months and are very anxious to get moved in. This inspection is not one to overlook. Even though we have looked at the foundation and skeleton of the home, those aspects are soon forgotten when the sparkle is added at the end. Many flaws are discovered at this time in the process that may impact how you feel later on after you have moved in. From carpet selections to grading outside, this inspection covers the entire gamut of the home. Attention is paid to details and the proposed finished product by the builder. A detailed punch-list and complete Home Guide is provided at the conclusion of the inspection. Often times the home is not ready for delivery when we arrive for the inspection. We will work with you and the builder to make sure the home is ready for when we arrive. We suggest the inspection take place the day before or the day of your builder walk-through prior to closing on the home. Budget approximately 2-4 hours depending on the size and complexity of your new home.

Warranty Inspections back to top

Most builders provide the new homeowner a time frame for normal settlement repairs. This can be from 3 months to 1 year depending on the contract with your builder. If you were not aware of pre-settlement inspections-then this is very beneficial. An unbiased eye by a professional home inspector will generally detect flaws the layman can't identify. Home Review provides a punch-list type of inspection for this process which includes a full home inspection. Over time, even a short time, conditions change within your new home. Most are cosmetic in nature but sometimes more major conditions become apparent which need repairs. Read the contract you have with your builder to determine the time period for this type of inspection after you move in.


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			New Home Inspections Foundation Inspections back to top The foundation is the single most important component of home construction. This is where all the forces of the planet have impact on the home. The most common form of foundation material is poured concrete which does well against the forces of the earth. Cement block is still popular and of course there are wooden and manufactured foundations as well. The inspection of the footings and walls prior to backfill is the critical timing phase of construction. Getting the exact time down with your builder is paramount to successfully performing a foundation inspection. The important components are exposed to view such as: footing drains, perimeter drains, gravel, silt cloth, bitumen coatings, form tie sealants, polyethylene wrap (or similar material), type of fill dirt, etc. All these components need to be in place properly prior to backfill to help ensure a watertight foundation. Commonly the basement slab is not in place, so the plumbing drain and vent system, sump crock location and collector pipes, column footers, beam pockets, brick ledges are available for review. Of course, slab type foundations (built on grade) would have their inspection prior to concrete being poured. This will enable you to inspect the footers along with the plumbing, strengthening wire/rebar, forms, site elevation, etc. Common problems found are: improperly vibrated concrete, honeycombed walls, cold pours, cracks, site elevation problems, column pads in the wrong locations, walk-outs, window locations, tie down straps not installed, crooked walls or out of square, perimeter drains installed improperly and so on. Pre-drywall Inspections: back to top The second phase of inspections has to do with the framing, HVAC, plumbing and electrical rough-ins. The framing is exposed to view so we can see all the different types of construction techniques used to build your new home. Common inspection practice is to begin at the top and follow the loads to the bottom, making sure they hit on something solid, preferably the foundation or columns designed to carry the load above. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has performance guidelines for framing tolerances etc. The inspector usually works within these guidelines which often reflects the installers ability to perform the installation. Common problems and mistakes consist of: missing supports, undersized or out of plumb lally columns, cut or altered floor systems, engineered wood products damaged or cut, broken truss components, inadequate bracing of roof systems, improper nailing, loose sub-floors, unsupported stairs, bowed framing, crooked windows and doors, missing fire-stop and insulation materials, undersized framing, unshimmed headers, load transfers, condensate drains, missing plumbing vents, energy bracing with holes, and so on. The average number of concerns is 40 -50 per home from minor to major issues which need attention prior to concealment. Think about it! Final Walk-through Inspections: back to top The last phase is inspecting the quality of the finished new home just before you take ownership. You have probably followed the construction of the home for several months and are very anxious to get moved in. This inspection is not one to overlook. Even though we have looked at the foundation and skeleton of the home, those aspects are soon forgotten when the sparkle is added at the end. Many flaws are discovered at this time in the process that may impact how you feel later on after you have moved in. From carpet selections to grading outside, this inspection covers the entire gamut of the home. Attention is paid to details and the proposed finished product by the builder. A detailed punch-list and complete Home Guide is provided at the conclusion of the inspection. Often times the home is not ready for delivery when we arrive for the inspection. We will work with you and the builder to make sure the home is ready for when we arrive. We suggest the inspection take place the day before or the day of your builder walk-through prior to closing on the home. Budget approximately 2-4 hours depending on the size and complexity of your new home. Warranty Inspections back to top Most builders provide the new homeowner a time frame for normal settlement repairs. This can be from 3 months to 1 year depending on the contract with your builder. If you were not aware of pre-settlement inspections-then this is very beneficial. An unbiased eye by a professional home inspector will generally detect flaws the layman can't identify. Home Review provides a punch-list type of inspection for this process which includes a full home inspection. Over time, even a short time, conditions change within your new home. Most are cosmetic in nature but sometimes more major conditions become apparent which need repairs. Read the contract you have with your builder to determine the time period for this type of inspection after you move in.