Planning to build a new home is a big deal, but how do you know it’s going well? Do you know what to look for when inspecting the construction of a new home? Many issues may only be noticed if you are a trained builder or home inspector. Fortunately, phase inspections ensure that your home is well-built.
Continue reading to learn about these inspections, what each phase entails, how much they cost, and how to find the best inspector for your new construction today.
What are Construction Phase Inspections?
When constructing a home or buying a new home, every inch of the property must be inspected to ensure that the structure meets health, safety, and structural standards. Unfortunately, many builders cut corners, resulting in unhappy homeowners and homes with serious flaws. These problems can cost thousands of dollars to repair, particularly in major components like the framing and foundation.
Inspections during the construction phases ensure that a home is being built correctly at every stage. Homeowners will be given a detailed explanation of the new home’s construction status, what items have been satisfactorily completed, and any issues that have arisen. Furthermore, these inspections alert builders to issues they were unaware of and hold them accountable for any shortcuts. It’s a great situation for all parties involved in the project.
What are the Phases of a Construction Inspection?
There are four phases of construction phase inspections and each one is integral to the home being built correctly. The phases are:
Foundation Inspection
Pre-foundation inspections will look at:
- Footers and trenches
- Casings made of metal and pipe
- To ensure that plans are followed, measure the depth and width of the footings.
- Check that all metal components are properly installed and connected.
- Pipes and sleeves are correctly positioned.
The inspector will typically come out a few days before and after the foundation is poured to ensure that everything is done correctly. However, some inspectors will only come once, before or after the foundation is poured.
Pre-Drywall Installation Inspection
Pre-drywall inspections look at a variety of aspects including:
- Warped, missing, or defective framing
- Exterior electrical and lighting fixtures
- Inspect the wood being used in the project as well as its placement
- Check exterior walls, sheeting, windows and sealants
- Fasteners and connectors for framing
- Truss ties, anchor bolts, and fire-blocking
- HVAC rough-ins and ductwork
These are just a few things that inspectors will look for, but each is important to the structural integrity of your home. Using inferior wood or noticing a minor warp in a frame may appear to be minor issues, but they can lead to thousands of dollars in necessary repairs.
Home Inspection of a New Home
The completed or final phase inspection of a new home, like a home inspection on a used home, will look at a variety of aspects, including:
- Doors and windows
- Fireplaces and chimneys
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Sewage
- Roof and attic structure
- Walls, ceilings and floors
- Porches, decks, driveways and patios
- Heating and cooling systems
- Water supply systems
- Appliances
- Sprinkler systems
This inspection will look for any problems while giving the builder time to correct any problems that arise. If problems are discovered, the inspector will return to ensure they are resolved.
Environmental Phase Inspections
The environmental site Inspection is associated with inspecting the environmental liabilities of a property or land holding. An environmental site assessment (ESA) is usually required when one of the parties to a transaction wants such environmental risks and liabilities documented. Similarly, parties entering into a lease agreement may wish to have a documented record of preexisting site conditions at the outset of the lease to avoid liability for such conditions at a later date.
After Construction Completion Inspection
The 11-month inspection, like the completed home inspection, will examine everything in the home to ensure it is in good working order. If you’ve noticed any problems with the house, such as leaking pipes or septic tank odors, now is the time to inform the inspector. Inspectors will finish their work before the builder’s warranty expires to ensure that any issues are covered by the builder rather than you. Finally, keep in mind that inspectors can only do so much without engaging in invasive work. If you suspect there are problems within the walls, your inspector will need to drill through the drywall to confirm.
How Much Does Construction Phase Inspection Cost?
Most homeowners can expect to pay between $2,500 and $5,000 for the entire service suite; however, if you only need an inspection for one or two phases, you can expect to pay between $500 and $1,000 per service. Most people choose the full service to ensure that their home is built correctly and to avoid problems that could lead to costly repairs. Receiving the full suite of inspections could take months or even a year, depending on the length of each phase of construction.
Quality Assurance with Inspections
The activity of checking, measuring, or testing one or more product or service characteristics and comparing the results to the specific requirements to confirm compliance is known as quality control inspection. An effective inspection process standardizes quality, eliminates paper documents, and improves floor efficiencies. The quality inspection process is a fundamental pillar of achieving continuous improvement. Criteria-based inspection plans enable meeting specific regulatory requirements and workflows depending on where the product is in the manufacturing lifecycle. For successful inspections, online visibility and real-time monitoring of incoming parts, raw materials, and sub-units are critical.
How Can You Find a Good Inspector?
There are numerous inspectors available, and you must find the right inspector for your needs. When looking for a new construction phases inspector, make certain that your inspector will collaborate with you at all stages. You can easily get a good inspector by doing a survey of the market and getting quotes from various inspectors. You can also read reviews of people and get the best results.
