Home Inspection on New Construction?

Posted December 31, 2007

One of our new fabulous Uptown condos began Closing on sales that were posted back in 2005! What a great time of year for Closings, right?! Well, during the long time span between the signed Contract and the final walkthrough, my clients decided that a relative who was a ‘home inspector’ would do their home inspection for them; they didn’t want my inspector even after begging for months! After much ado and arriving at the final walkthrough, I found that the inspection had not yet been done! Her relative had told them that they didn’t need one since it was new construction!! Some ‘inspector’ huh?!

“$300. for a service that could save you thousands in the long run, is SO worth it,” I kept repeating to them!

Their response, “But, WHY do we need an inspection on new construction?–I can see everything and it looks fine!”

One week from Closing are we, and I finally talked them into letting me get them a reputable, certified home inspector to do the job! One of the ones that I prefer performs condo inspections, which as you know, are definitely a different animal than single family homes. They listened to my begging to get it done ASAP and, thankfully, scheduled me within 24 hours! (I love my preferred home inspectors!)

Low and behold, numerous items came up on the inspection–washer/dryer (included) not operating properly (brand new, mind you), leaking roof, HVAC issue, water leak under cabinetry in kitchen area, and even scratches that WE DIDN’T SEE IN OUR WALK-THROUGH! Now, that is something that I pride myself in–looking in every nook and cranny to make certain that all wood floor scratches, nail pops, needed touch-ups are pointed out to the builder! And, even my experienced, trained-eye had missed it!

There were multiple other electrical, plumbing, items on the list and the total cost to a homeowner who had to hire out contractors to do the work when THEY decide to sell, would be FAR more than the actual inspection cost of $235!

I was prepared to have the Buyers sign their lives away at the Closing (with the attorney as witness) to cover ME when they continued to refuse the inspection! You’d better believe, I would have been the first person they called when neither their washer OR dryer was working!!!

My clients are very grateful that they had the inspection done and have already shared their story with friends and family! My point–SPREAD THE WORD: HOME INSPECTIONS ARE IMPERATIVE ON NEW CONSTRUCTION as well as resales, of course!