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Answers (5)
- Mike Hart
- Contributions:110
I wouldn't want to rely on the builder's warranty. Especially these days when so many builders are loosing subs and going out of business.
A home inspection is not expensive. I find short-cuts taken by subs and unskilled labor, and uncompleted tasks such as sealing flashings on roofs. The builders often use unskilled labor to install systems which should be installed by licensed pros. This leaves you with improperly installed systems which can be very expensive to correct, and can cause serious safety issues which you wouldn't be aware of without an inspection. I have found heating return air ducts open to the garage which would draw air from the garage into the home, water heater relief valve pipes obstructed by stucco, which would compromise the safety of the water heater and could cause an explosion. The list goes on.
The building code compliance inspectors just can't take the time to check for all these things. Get a home inspection!
Mike Hart, Home Inspector, Contractor, Investor
[content removed by moderator for being self promotional]
A home inspection is not expensive. I find short-cuts taken by subs and unskilled labor, and uncompleted tasks such as sealing flashings on roofs. The builders often use unskilled labor to install systems which should be installed by licensed pros. This leaves you with improperly installed systems which can be very expensive to correct, and can cause serious safety issues which you wouldn't be aware of without an inspection. I have found heating return air ducts open to the garage which would draw air from the garage into the home, water heater relief valve pipes obstructed by stucco, which would compromise the safety of the water heater and could cause an explosion. The list goes on.
The building code compliance inspectors just can't take the time to check for all these things. Get a home inspection!
Mike Hart, Home Inspector, Contractor, Investor
[content removed by moderator for being self promotional]
- Jeff Konstant, "jkonstant"
- Contributions:1970
The only answer to this is yes. Any builder warranty is best if not needed and a home inspector might find things that are easily overlooked and cause bigger problems down the road. I am not knocking any builders, I am simply stating it is better to know today than in 3, 6 or 9 months. Imagine the hassle of calling the builder every week to screw this or bolt that. Worse still is finding out 9 months down the road that improperly installed flashing allowed water to enter and after nine months of this you now have bigger issues. Do it now.
- Jeff Gollaher, "fullcirclehi"
- Contributions:2
A few hundred $'s for a home inspection is the best money you will spend. It will not only cover disclosure of condition but its a 3rd party who is non-objective.
When I do a inspection I check for recalls on all appliances.
Also an inspection can point out many small issues relating to preventive maintenance, that can save you lots of money in the long run.
I know that I personally would not buy a home with out getting a home inspection. Why would I obligate myself to many years of payments without verifying quality of product.
When I do a inspection I check for recalls on all appliances.
Also an inspection can point out many small issues relating to preventive maintenance, that can save you lots of money in the long run.
I know that I personally would not buy a home with out getting a home inspection. Why would I obligate myself to many years of payments without verifying quality of product.
- Mara Cruwys, "homes4unewjersey"
- Contributions:50
i always reccommend an inspection -new or old- and have found it invaluable. you do have a "punch" list before closing but unless you have a professional you might miss important things. the builder wants to close so things tend to get done quickly. once you're closed his motivation seems to decrease. also in this market how do you know he will be around the next day. even big builders fall.
- prfstrkr
- Contributions:259
i bet most people are gonna tell you you need one, but from personal experiences from both me and my friends who bought new homes, i'd say it really depends on your builder ...
most national builders have 1 year bumper to bumper, 2 year electrical, 5 year leakage, and 10 year structural warranties ...
I'd recommend move in first, see how it generally goes the 1st year ... at the end of the year, if you feel the builder did some flaky work, get an inspection so all issues can be addressed before the bumper to bumper warranty
most national builders have 1 year bumper to bumper, 2 year electrical, 5 year leakage, and 10 year structural warranties ...
I'd recommend move in first, see how it generally goes the 1st year ... at the end of the year, if you feel the builder did some flaky work, get an inspection so all issues can be addressed before the bumper to bumper warranty
new home inspection
i would surely have a home inspections on a existing home. however, do i really need a inspection on a new home?
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