Inspections are key

WHEN THE INSPECTOR IS ABLE TO COME IN DURING DIFFERENT STAGES OF A BUILD, THEY’LL BE ABLE TO TAKE PHOTOS, DOCUMENTING EVERYTHING THEY SEE BEHIND THE WALLS. AS A BUYER, THIS GIVES YOU PEACE OF MIND THAT IT WAS DONE PROPERLY THE FIRST TIME.

You’ve just bought a new home. You’re the first person to own it, so everything should be in good shape, right? That’s not always the case. Even the best builders in the world can make a mistake during construction.

I like to see builders include quality inspections by third-party home inspectors. To me, this marks a great builder from one who’s just good. It means protection for you as a homeowner and helps protect the reputation of the builder too.

During the building process, frequent inspections make a difference. Going into the home, making sure everything is installed properly, they can hopefully catch any defects that would end up being covered up during the construction phase. This gives builders the opportunity to address these issues before they get hidden by drywall or other finishes.

When the inspector is able to come in during different stages of a build, they’ll be able to take photos, documenting everything they see behind the walls. As a buyer, this gives you peace of mind that it was done properly the first time. And as a bonus, when you go to sell the home, you’ve got photographic proof that it was built right.

There’s a reason I say you can’t learn to be a home inspector in one day. There are a lot of moving parts to consider when inspecting a home, and it’s going to take more than someone who can wave their hands over your vents and flush the toilets to properly vet the home. When builders include third- party inspections in their process, it brings in a fresh, qualified pair of eyes to ensure the home is built right.

Using the tools in their kit, a professional home inspector can reveal the hidden attributes of the home that the naked eye can’t see. A moisture meter can show the moisture levels of walls, framing, and sheathing. Ensuring the moisture content is at a reasonable level can prevent issues such as mould, mildew and rot.

Thermographic imaging can detect temperature change behind the walls, signifying any penetrations or openings that need to be sealed. This helps ensure the home’s energy efficiency, making it easier (and cheaper) to heat and cool.

Finally, inspectors can test air quality to search for pathogens that can be harmful to your health. I’m talking about things like formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds ( VOCS), mould and radon. VOCS are present in many building materials and finishes, so newly built homes tend to have higher levels of VOCS overall.

High levels of radon can be present in any home, new or old, and in any location. A radon test is the only way to detect radon levels, so good builders will test their build site for radon and provide a rough-in for a radon mitigation system.

If you’re purchasing a new build, find a builder that includes third- party inspections in their package. This is likely the largest purchase you’ll ever make and it’s important to ensure that it’s been built to last. Having a third-party inspector demonstrates commitment to quality, craftsmanship and making it right.