Home construction is now far easier and takes a shorter building period compared to how it’s done a decade ago. Although construction experts see a shortage in housing skilled workers, still they are hopeful that the problem can be addressed via vocational initiatives – putting people under training to become skilled workers and by taking some soft manpower solution. However, having both skills are never an assurance to the best and durable newly constructed or remodeled home.
The Property Inspection Before The Final Settlement
Whether your new home is a constructed, remodeled or purchased lavish mansion or a sustainable and more affordable prefab home, a home inspection must be conducted before you come to a close deal. It is important to take a round of inspection before you decide to lodge in your new home to make sure that everything will be done properly and must be stipulated in an agreement between you and the contractor. Things to consider are:
- You should employ an independent property inspector or someone who has been serving the residential sector for years with a good reputation. They must show both general liability insurance and professional liability insurance to potentially cover you as a buyer.
- For purchased homes, have the seller remove any restriction to access to roofs eaves, locked areas and crawl spaces on the contract as this may prevent the inspector to uncover serious damaged parts of the property
- Check on any damage in the property and or possible damage that might occur on the different parts of the property both in the interior and exterior.
- Look into dysfunctional fixtures that might need repair or replacement
If you assume that everything written on the contract will be complied by the contractor, then you might just be putting things at risk. After the construction or remodel, take your checklist along with you and double check on the work done on the property.
But what should you do if you discover defects on the property that were missed on the report?
- First, double check on the state rules and regulation s binding the selling and buying processes of properties to be well guided on the steps you should take and your rights as a buyer
- Sellers may face liability for not disclosing material damage which they were knowledgeable of at the time of sale like termite problems, however, you must prove this truth in order to claim damage cost from the seller, but which however may not be an easy legal process
- While legal actions may be taken against the inspector on the ground of: negligence, where you would need to seek another provider or providers that would uncover the neglected defect by the subject inspector. The other inspectors’ reports will serve as compelling evidence against the prior inspector. The process also requires documentation of the area before the repair or clean-up and after to clearly show the extent of the damage; and, breach of contract, where all to dos noted on the checklist but were not fully performed
Walk Through with Your Builder or Inspector In Your New Home Before You Move In
It is best that you take a walk through with your builder, or in case of remodeled or purchased homes with your inspector. Take a checklist and learn about all the house features and how to operate the appliance systems like the kitchen, cooling and heating appliances, and make sure that every instruction is noted in a booklet.
- For newly constructed homes, everything would look rela fine, but don’t just be content on knowing how everything works, instead learn how to maintain every appliance at its best working condition. Furthermore, check workmanship and material warranty to know which problems are covered and which are not.
- Also, check on surfaces of floors, fixtures and counters that might show little cracks or sharp edges that might cause accidents
- Don’t miss to ask your builders questions and verify all information that aren’t clear before you conform or sign the walk through checklist form.
To further assist you, here’s a reference on how to come up with a complete checklist for a home walk through:
- Check the grading by looking around the ground to make sure the foundation slope is far from the house, the water does not accumulate in swales, no signs of erosion, subbery should be two to three feet from the foundation and basement windows clean (if the property has a basement)
- Make sure that shingles are flat and tight, and the flashing are in place to keep the gutter, downspouts and splash away from the house
- Look closely how the exteriors look, making sure that windows and doors are sealed, trims and fittings are tight without any cracks, paint smoothly covered all surfaces
- Walls, rooms, staircase and cabinets are well painted with trim and molding place with no spots
- Conduct a test on all appliances to ensure everything operates properly like faucets, plumbing and electrical features, fireplace, doorbell, intercom and garage door opener
But what happens when you discover a huge problem after you have moved in?
Rushing to the seller back to bring the problem up to them is no use and is clearly out of their concern anymore, instead contact your inspector. Just be sure that you hired the one with liability insurance that covers more than just the inspection cost and can present decent proofs of the pre-sell damage. Also, check on rubbish like nails on the ground or hanging and uncut wires left after construction that may harm you and your family.
So, you must never be too confident on the beauty that you just see beyond the fence and the lawn, instead take a few action steps to check further inside if your humble abode is durably ready to take you and your whole family in for a lifetime. Conduct a final property inspection before the purchase and do a walkthrough with your builder before moving in.