BUYERS 
Why An Inspection?  
New Construction   
Radon
Mold
Inspection Agreement
Your Inspection Report

SELLERS                        
Why An Inspection?
Inspection Agreement

HOMEOWNERS
Why An Inspection?
Radon
Mold

REALTORS
Why An Inspection?
Red Flags

Sample Home Inspection Report

Most construction of new houses is done by the lowest bidder. This means that the contractors that are doing the work contracted with the builder to perform their work for the lowest price. While most builders are very reputable, many times the work done is substandard, and the materials used inferior. Most defects on a new house are not readily visible to the average buyer. Then too, there is "The Rose Colored Glasses" effect. It's sometimes hard to see past the excitement to any problems that may exist in something that you want so badly.

Larger builders usually started out as a small or family firm, with an excellent product. As they grew, they had to subcontract larger and larger portions of the houses they were building out to other contractors. While they were relatively small, they could supervise these subcontractors themselves, and insure the quality of the work met with their standards. As a contractor grows, however, he has to sub out more and more of the work, eventually including the supervision. Many of the houses built by the big contractors are never even entered by the owners of the company. All of the quality control is then done by a hired supervisor, who is being pushed to maintain a high production rate. So, how can you make sure it was done right?

Get a home inspection. If the house has few or no problems (many are this way!) then your inspection was an easy, inexpensive way for you to have peace of mind. But - if the house has problems - you have the information you need to have the builder correct the problems before you move in, or in a timely manner after your occupancy. A Buyer's Best inspection also points out the positive aspects of the house, and if you are present for the inspection, a walking tour and tutorial of the care and maintenance items that every homeowner needs to know.

Don't be misled by some builders' on staff inspector. The on staff inspector is an employee of the builder, and not a disinterested third party. The on staff inspector will give you a walking tour of your new home, pointing out the features, and taking note of your concerns, but is unlikely to point out any major defects that his company will have to pay to correct and possibly delay closing. An excellent time for your Buyer's Best Home Inspection is before your walkthrough with the builder and/or on staff inspector. Any concerns that are indicated by your Buyer's Best Home Inspection could then be addressed.

Here are a few common defects found in a new home:

Roof and Soffet: A gap at the lower edge of the roof can allow bird, bat, and insect entry to the attic, and may allow water to rot the soffet in the years to come. The soffet is the underside of the roof overhang, between the roof and the gutter. This problem is seldom noticeable for the first five to ten years, unless found during the inspection.

Loose plumbing joints, fixtures, toilets, etc. that can cause leaks and wood and floor damage.

Incorrect wiring can potentially cause a fire hazard. Sometimes circuits are found that have been added after the State Electrical Inspection.

Excessive brick overhang bricks that project too far past the foundation can fail due to the weight above them, possibly damaging or destroying the wall above.

No weep hole (drainage) system in brick exterior walls can cause moisture and wood rot problems in the walls and sill plates.

A Buyer's Best inspector will look closely for possible problems that could arise from improper construction of your new home. He will also look closely at the good features of the home. The information that the Buyer's Best Home Inspection brings to light concerning the condition of your new home will help you make an informed decision about your investment.