The Importance of Inspecting a New Home

The appeal of moving into a new home is that you are not paying for someone else’s problems. A new home helps you avoid a roof replacement that the previous owner had been neglecting for years, and you don’t have to worry about moving into a home that has the unquenchable odor of cigarette smoke. In a sense, buying a new home or custom build is the only guaranteed way of purchasing the proverbial “dream home.”

Nonetheless, it is foolish to think that there is no threat of issues arising immediately after purchasing a new home. Even though the latest materials and building innovations should give homeowners a ton of confidence in the quality of the build, there is always the chance that something falls through the cracks. As such, having a new home assessed by an inspection professional is critical. Keep reading the following breakdown that goes into great detail on the importance of inspecting a new home.

Helps Identify Any Thermal Bridges

In modern homes, energy efficiency is of the utmost importance. With surging utility prices and buyers being overall more conscientious about doing their part to curb energy consumption, a home that is substandard in its energy efficiency will struggle to stand out.

As such, many custom builds are marketed for their high R-value in an attempt to close sales. However, it is important to have the home inspected to see if the home is living up to the billing. Many inspectors will check continuous insulation and possible thermal bridging to see if it’s compromised usually with a visual inspection or an infrared thermal camera. If these thermal bridges are identified during the inspection, the insulation can be replaced and any gaps can be sealed, guaranteeing that the home is meeting its mark for R-value. 

Can Reveal Areas at Risk of Moisture Damage

Severe weather events are rocking the country with increasing frequency amid the challenges of climate change, with floods being one of the most damaging threats putting homes at risk in 2022. Simply put, there are too many homes that are not in a position to withstand a massive thunderstorm that appears out of nowhere. In Illinois alone, there have been three major floods since 2008, displacing thousands of homeowners in the process. 

Therefore, have a new home inspected for its ability to withstand a flood. Are the lawns properly sloped away from the house? Does the foundation employ the proper waterproofing and dampproofing measures? Is the flooring properly installed, sealed, and/or treated to resist water damage?

Protects the Buyer Against Shoddy Work

There are many innovative building materials hitting the market with regularity in 2022. And while it is exciting to use these materials, such as synthetic stucco, fiber cement board and batten siding, solid surface counters, and polished concrete flooring, it is important to remember that not all contractors have as much experience working with these new materials as they do some of the classics. Although one of the appeals of many of the most cutting-edge materials is their ease of installation, it should not uniformly be taken for granted that the contracting team is well-versed in working with them, so make sure you have your inspector check to see if there are any areas where material installation looks a bit off.

Allows You to Locate Any Faulty Materials

Another reason to inspect a new home is for the simple fact that there may be some faulty materials. For example, some flooring tiles may arrive with small cracks that the installation technician missed, or there may be a small gap between the glass and sash on a new aluminum window. If an inspector identifies these issues early, the builder can perform a quick tile swap or window sash replacement without the buyer having to wonder whether the imperfections were already there or the result of use.

Ensures that the Home Wasn’t Neglected During Inclement Weather

It is impossible to guarantee perfect weather during the home construction process. If the house is not properly protected, water can seep into the framing and foundation, causing rot, mold, and cracks to form. Weather can also cause erosion in the exterior landscaping of the house as well. Therefore, the inspector can identify any areas of the home compromised by inclement weather during the construction process, giving the builder a checklist for filling cracks in cement in the foundation, framing, transitional areas of the building envelope, or even in exterior patios, sidewalks, and driveways.

Don’t Drop the Ball on a New Home: Have It Inspected Today

Although you won’t be purchasing someone else’s problems, it is entirely possible that issues may arise in short order after purchasing a new home. From having insulation that is not in line with the advertised R-value to faulty materials that slipped past the attention of the installing contractor, there are a number of issues that can present themselves in a new home. Therefore, don’t assume that everything is perfect with your custom build and have an inspection professional take a look at your new home today!

Brian Jeffries is a freelance writer that loves sharing his knowledge and expertise on construction projects and materials. He lives in Winter Park, Florida where he enjoys spending time with his wife and working on projects in his spare time. Brian’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisors, a new construction industry resource launching in Fall 2022.