Our home is new, why
would we need an inspection? New custom built homes
frequently have an architect who oversees the
builder. If you feel comfortable with this on sight
supervision, the need for an inspection is less. If
you are buying a customized home that is basically in
a subdivision, the main source of supervision is the
local building inspectors. In some municipalities,
they are excellent, in other, they are non existent.
Do you know which township inspector you have? In
many cases, your home is being built in an area where
you have no idea who the building inspector is or
just how often he is checking your home. Frequently,
building inspectors are faced with many projects
running in the municipality at the same time. They
are like fire extinguishers being called out to
emergencies. Often they are spread too thin. Adding
another layer of supervision, a private home
inspector, can often show up details that the local
inspector just didn't see due to his work load. You
are investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into
the home. An additional investment of several hundred
dollars makes sense. It's easier to fix a problem
before the house is finished than after you are in
it. Some builders will not let you hire a private
inspector. What does that tell you about the builder,
and the local inspectors? After twenty five years of
construction experience I have never seen a municipal
inspector with a ladder. Ask them how they are going
to check the roof? A bad roof is expensive to fix,
and the damage it can cause can be much more
expensive. In your new home purchase, it pays to have
someone who knows construction on your side.