When you acquire an old house that has been worn down by time and the elements, it’s a no-brainer to hire a home inspector to assess it before you buy it. Should you hire a home inspector for a new house that hasn’t been completed yet?

The answer is yes, as strange as it may appear. Here’s why new residences should be assessed as well, and how to do it properly.

Before you install Drywall, you should get a new construction home inspection.

You might be thinking why you need to get a new construction home inspection? Most reputable builders are honest, hardworking professionals that strive to create a high-quality project that complies with all local construction codes in a timely manner. Almost every builder aspires to be remembered as a high-quality home builder. The builder, on the other hand, is almost never the one who does the actual construction work on the house.
Depending on the scope of work and the size of your home, a typical builder will hire 10-20 subcontractors on a single new house. This number can rise if you include specialists who install security systems, entertainment systems, pools, and other amenities. The sheer number of people involved in the construction process might lead to misunderstandings or even a lack of communication.

Quite often, subcontractors working on one part of the house often inadvertently cause damage to another part of the project. Almost every builder relies on subcontractors, and far too often, the lowest bidder is the one who gets the job.

So, in reality, the lowest bidder is building your home.

20 most common faults or flaws (including cosmetic flaws) found in new construction homes

We’ve created a list of the 20 most common faults or flaws (including cosmetic flaws) found in new construction homes after doing private home inspections on Thousands of new homes. Many times, the problems were so subtle that even the builder was unaware of them.

However, because we were able to detect the problems before the construction workers left, they were addressed before the new homeowners moved in.

1. Insulation that is missing in unseen portions of attic and other areas
2. Electrical outlets that have been Incorrectly wired
3. Air ducts in attic that have been torn or crushed
4. Roof straps for roof to wall attachments that have been incorrectly installed or missing completely
5. Roof tiles that have slipped or cracked
6. Improper venting of the home
7. Dryer vent that has been improperly terminated or uses improper material
8. Windows that have been impropery installed or have broken locks or springs
9. The slab extends beyond the exterior wall creating, slab lippage. This will typically lead to moisture intrusion into the home
10. Safety function of the garage door, not working properly
11. Metal plates that are missing below the trusses
12. Bolts that secure the bottom plate to the ground have been improperly tightened
13. Fire retardent foam that is missing at penetrations along the top plates
14. Electrical wires that are missing nail plates
15. Trusses that have been drilled through or cut by subcontractors. This compromises structural integrity
16. Masonry cells that have been improperly filled in portion of building
17. Fascia and soffit that have been improperly installed
18. Window wraps or Tyvek that has been installed improperly or is missing
19. Exterior swinging and sliding doors that have been improperly installed
20. Sub-floors that squeak, typically the result of improper installation (e.g., loose screws)

Our team wants to make sure hidden building defects or attempted shortcuts are caught and corrected before you get the final bill. This way, when you move in all you need to worry about is where to put the furniture and appliances. The last thing you want is headaches.