You don’t have to live with a problem …
This is your moment, the builder has finished the build and is ready to hand the house over to you. They are probably offering a one year warranty which is good, but do you really want them making large repairs inside the house after you move in and have all your furniture in place.
If you have already had a foundation and/or a pre-drywall inspection you are ahead of the game. Now is the time to find out if everything works and operates as intended.
This inspection should happen as close as possible to the date you have been given for your walk through, that gives that builder time to punch list the house and get it ready. As soon as you have your date calls and schedule the inspection, a few days before the date check with your builder to see if is still a realistic date (one where he will be ready for the inspection)
Damaged attic framing, incorrectly installed roofing, flue pipes with incorrect clearances and angle. Areas of the “insulated” attic that remain un-insulated, rooms with heating vents that have been floored over, live wire tails and open junction boxes in the attic or crawl space. Incorrect wiring in the breaker panel, dangerous decks, poorly finished dry wall and trim. Capped vent pipes and so many other possible issues.
And to make it worse these homes had been inspected and passed by both the county building inspector and the job foreman as being ready for occupancy.
Motivated Builders
Buyers are often under the mistaken assumption that any repair work required will be performed promptly after they move in. Some builders may be prompt, but unfortunately there are builders who have no interest in you, your home or completing repairs once they have received your money!
Once you have moved into your new home it is very frustrating to have builders coming back repeatedly during the first few months to repair yet another problem you discover.
Just think of all the sheet rock dust even a minor repair could entail!
Your Inspection‘s results will give you the information you need, with a list of work necessary before move in. This will get your builder to finish the house properly. Builders become highly motivated to complete unfinished “Punch List” items when you refuse to close on the new home until all the work is satisfactorily completed.
The final Inspection report serves as a “punch list” for the builder to correct prior to the closing.
