New-build homes are often thought to be perfect, free from defects. Unfortunately, that is not true. While new homes offer modern designs and ease of purchase due to lack of onward chain, they could come with costly weatherproofing or structural problems you might not notice at first.
The poor state of some of the newly built homes can be attributed to the labor shortage, which eliminates the guarantee of a perfect newly built house. For that reason, most new homes have a host of problems that could affect your stay. In fact, we often find more issues in new builds than pre-owned homes due to these reasons. The fact that builders don’t care if you will like the house or not has also contributed to many substandard structures. Therefore, you shouldn’t skip a home inspection just because you are getting a newly built home. Instead, consider all the possible risks and get professional home inspectors to check it out.
Common Problems in Newly Built Homes
Most home buyers ignore home inspections when it comes to newly built structures. This is because they believe such homes meet all the requirements and don’t have any defects. However, due to the high turnover in building contractors and vendors, the complex nature of the building, and designing new construction residences, new homes can have a wide range of problems.
Mostly, builders get different subcontractors from several areas to contribute to the construction — this leaves significant room for error between the many specialists and constructors required to complete the house. Even though new homes might not have the same defects as resale homes, their design and nature opens a door to numerous problems that occur in the construction stage.
Knowing some of the common problems associated with new homes will help you understand the value of a home inspection for new homes. Here are some of the common problems we find in new structures.
Incorrect Insulation
Insulation is vital for ideal living conditions, but unfortunately, it is a common defect in new homes. These constructions have insufficient insulation, making them unhealthy for habitants. You must be aware that insulation is crucial when it comes to creating comfortable climatic conditions inside the house. If a home’s insulation system is faulty, it significantly increases heating and air conditioning bills, which results in unnecessary expenses.
Lest you forget, any insulation repairs or replacements on a new home often involve a costly process of bringing down ceilings and walls to fix them. If you don’t have a home inspection that can point out these defects, you will incur all the repair costs on your own. You can imagine how expensive that will be!
Plumbing and Electrical Errors
We also often find plumbing and electrical errors in new homes. You wouldn’t want to buy a home that doesn’t have a working hot tub or lighting system, nor would you want one with a faulty plumbing system. It is said that if walls are the bones of a home, then electrical and plumbing systems are the veins that keep it alive.
Any defects in the placing of pipes could result in significant leaks and clogs. Similarly, faulty wiring increases the risk of power loss or even fire disasters. Such situations are also associated with faulty waste management systems, something that could cause awful and unhygienic conditions.
Fixing these problems is costly, and could see you spend a significant amount on repairing a new home. Thankfully, a home inspection before buying the property will help point out such defects. This helps save money you could have spent on repairs and replacements.
Poor Roof Installation
Most home buyers don’t suspect the roofing of a new home since it has been barely used. What they don’t know is that the roof of a new house can be as faulty as that of an old house. Most of these problems arise from the installation process. When siding and roofing materials are not installed correctly, they can cause a wide range of problems that result in costly and time-consuming repairs.
For example, if the shingles of a new home are raised, they can result in roof damage and water damage, something that is often costly to repair. Besides, if the roofing materials are not correctly secured, they can easily fall off the house. This is more likely especially when the house is located in areas prone to strong winds. You will be forced to replace the roofing materials, which could see you spend a fortune.
Structural Weaknesses
Any new construction should have a high-quality frame and foundation construction. Unfortunately, the ongoing labor shortage has resulted in significant structural weaknesses in new homes. The most detrimental issue in a newly constructed house involves structural defects in the frame or foundation.
If a home has an uneven or crooked foundation, or the materials used to construct its base are of low quality, it is likely to cause leaning, sinking, or falling apart in the long run. Cases of homes collapsing are rampant in North Texas, with many builders not making an effort to meet the highest standards.
You shouldn’t trade the safety of your family for anything — get the house inspected by professionals before buying it. Some homebuyers believe that once they have a home insurance cover, all the damages will be taken care of by the insurance company. This is not always the case. Some insurance companies will seek to know if a home inspection was done before buying the property, if not, you will not get compensated. Therefore, investing in a home inspection for new homes is vital.
Decorative Issues
Even though not to a large extent, new homes tend to have decorative issues. From shoddy plastering to peeling paintwork, it can be highly costly to fix decorative issues in a new home. In fact, these problems could make you reconsider your buying decision. To put it into perspective, it costs around $1,000 to replaster a room, and it can cost as high as $300 per day for a new paint job. Therefore, you shouldn’t risk losing such a significant amount by not getting the home inspected. If you are worried about the cost of a home inspection, it is way less than repairing a new home!
Reasons To Inspect a New Home
Considering all the above problems that your new home may have, you need a home inspection report from a professional before making your final decision. Here are more reasons why you should consider getting a home inspection on a new home before buying.
Inspection Points Out Problems
As you now know, new construction homes tend to have all sorts of problems. It is a complex orchestration to build a home because it involves many different subcontractors and builders. The presence of a large team increases the chances of defects due to a lack of cohesion. With all the many activities going on concurrently, it is almost impossible for the builder to keep up with the phases of construction. In fact, even the most established builders are likely to miss something. Thankfully, getting a home inspection will help point out such problems on time.
Problems Are Fixed Before Buying
When a home inspection identifies severe defects in a new home, they will have to be fixed before you move in. You won’t have to experience the noise or dust from repairs, or the inconvenience of having to stay at home from work because there are constructors in your home. Any defects identified by a home inspection will be fixed before you move in, giving you a smooth transition. Before you cash in, you will want the builder to fix any damages or defects. So, if you are wondering when to do a home inspection on new construction, it is before you move in!
Better than Municipal Building Inspections
It is crucial to know that home inspections are not the same as municipal building inspections. What municipal building inspectors check for its compliance with applicable building codes. In short, they will not assess the essential aspects of a home-like plumbing or heating system. As much as municipal building inspectors do their best, these inspections are not enough to deliver an accurate evaluation. Therefore, you will need professional home inspectors to ascertain the condition of a new home. This goes a long way in saving you from unnecessary expenses in the future.
Thanks to a home inspection, defects will be repaired before they cause costly damage or serious consequences. Extreme safety concerns such as gas leaks need to be fixed to protect your loved ones. Unfortunately, many other defects can make your life uncomfortable in a new home. For example, missing attic insulation causes higher utility bills. Similarly, raised shingles can lead to rotted roof sheathing that affects the stability of your home. These factors need to be addressed before you buy the house.
Newly Built Homes Need Home Inspection
Undoubtedly, living in a new home is exciting and it comes with much fewer problems than an older home. However, to ensure your long-term financial stability and happiness, you should hire a home inspector to conduct an inspection that ensures you are not buying a home that needs major repairs. Through this inspection, you will gain valuable insights into the home’s vulnerabilities and attributes. This goes a long way in helping you save money. Get in touch with Stonebriar for professional and accurate home inspection services on newly built homes.
