TIME FOR INSPECTION

Look for builders who include assessments of their construction by third-party experts

You’ve just bought a new home. I’m talking brand new — the builder just added all the finishes and handed over the keys. You’re the first person to own it, and the home is brand new, so everything should be in good shape, right? You hope so, but that’s not always the case.

Even the best builders in the world can make a mistake during construction, or accidentally skip adding something crucial to your final build.

So how do we ensure that the quality of the home is up to par? What I like to see builders include in their packages are quality inspections by third-party home inspectors. 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. Here’s why it matters:

INSPECTIONS PROVIDE PEACE OF MIND

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, where making necessary repairs would be much more difficult.

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.

I like when builders include third-party inspections in their process because it brings in a fresh, qualified pair of eyes to ensure the home is built right.

INSPECTIONS ENSURE THE STRENGTH OF THE HOME

Using the tools in their kit, the 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 like 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 homes energy efficiency making it easier (and cheaper) to heat and cool.

Finally, inspectors can also test air quality to search for pathogens that can be harmful to your health 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.

This is the largest purchase you’ll likely ever make and it’s important to ensure it’s been built to last. When shopping for a new builder, ask if they provide inspections through a third party. This demonstrates their commitment to quality, craftsmanship and making it right.

To find out more about Mike

Holmes, visit makeitright.ca