New home inspections

Q: We are buying a new home. Do we really need to pay for an inspection?

A: If you are buying a new home, if you consider what could possibly go wrong, the answer is more complex than you might think.

The fact is, any home, whether it is large or small, new or old, is an intricate maze of structural, heating, electrical and plumbing systems. Today’s brand new homes have many features that are specifically engineered for our health and comfort and may be compulsory because of building code requirements. Having a fresh set of eyes to evaluate these systems is plainly a good move as it’s not unusual for even the most responsible and dedicated subcontractor to inadvertently miss something that could evolve to be a real problem.

(Photo: Hugh Cairns)

In this new home, sub-surface water has infiltrated the crawlspace. Some wooden structural supports have been buried below grade in the moisture-laden substrate. This standing water creates excess moisture, which attracts wood-destroying insects and may lead to adverse conditions.

For the most part, the finishing work in a new home is very good and small flaws are easy to spot. However, it’s not the aesthetics that we are too concerned about with new home inspections. The problems you need to worry about are those that occur behind the scenes.

Sure new homes come with a new home warranty, but most problems don’t become apparent until several years after construction was completed. If you’ve ever bought a new home that experiences a problem and you sought relief through a builder-funded warranty, (the home buyer pays the premium in the purchase price) then you know that it can sometimes be like a bureaucratic filing cabinet. You see, builders apply for warranty coverage on your behalf through a warranty provider. The builder then constructs the home to an agreed recognized standard. Should the standard not be met and a claim is filed, the builder is called on to correct the problem first. When a builder fails to satisfactorily correct a problem or that avenue is exhausted, only then the warranty provider steps in to take over. So be prepared for a bit of a journey in the event of a claim.

Although the vast majority of homeowners buy new construction and experience no problems, the cost of an inspection is small compared to detecting and potential costs for repairing defects. Plus, most builders are quick to correct any defects once they have been identified by a professional building inspection report.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.