Do you need a home inspection for new construction? This question comes up fairly often. The simple answer is yes. Just because a home is shiny and new doesn’t mean everything is ship-shape. This brings up the question, don’t new homes have a municipal inspection already? In fact, they do, but this doesn’t rule out the need for a private home inspection.   

Municipal inspectors don’t have the same concerns as independent home inspectors. Builders, subcontractors, and municipal inspectors can miss some of the small details that home inspectors are trained to spot, along with some not-so small details. A home inspection checks out electrical switches, outlets, faucets, bath fixtures, bathroom fans, and much more.

Let’s take a look at the advantages of getting independent inspection on new construction.

Construction Defects

You might guess that new homes would be free of problems. Well, guess again! An inspector can unearth issues like construction defects and structural problems that may not be overtly noticeable to the untrained eye. These issues can affect the longevity and the overall safety of the home.

Quality of Workmanship

A home inspector can ensure the quality of workmanship and materials used during construction. At this stage the inspector may find some issues that need correction or improvement.

Prior to Move-In

Early identification of problems leave time for corrections prior to moving into your new home. This may stave off unexpected problems and expenses later on.

Peace of Mind

For many families, a home is the most significant investment they will make in their lifetime. An inspection helps ensure their investment is sound and free from potential costly issues.

A Guide to Negotiating Repairs

Builders often look to home inspection reports as a “punch list” for making needed repairs. It gives the homeowner a chance to negotiate fixes with builders prior to finalizing the contract.

Warranty Compliance

Most new homes come with warranties. Home inspectors can reveal warranty-related problems and clear the way for early resolution.

What Are Inspectors Looking For?

There’s a list of specific problems that home inspectors look for in new construction. Here are some of them:

• HVAC systems, including the thermostat
• Plumbing, toilets, sinks, and sump pumps
• Electrical conductors, circuit breakers, meters, and panelboards
• Attic, insulation, and ventilation
• Appliances, such as dishwashers, disposals, ovens, and microwaves
• Roof, chimney, and gutters
• Doors and windows
• Exterior items, like walkways, driveways, decks, patios, and garages
• Foundation, basements, crawlspaces, and grading

Get a Second Inspection

Think about getting a second inspection about 10 months from the first one, especially if your new home has only a one-year warranty. It’s best to spot any issues with the warranty still in effect. You want to ensure that it’s the builder, not you, who pays for fixing any problems. 

It’s not a guessing game with brand-new construction. The builder is responsible for footing the bill for repairs while the warranty is still in effect.

The Eye of Experience

Don’t be dazzled by the bright and shiny appearance of your new home. It may look perfect to you, but your home inspector is trained to spot problems that need to be fixed before you move in.

Buying or Selling a Home?

Avoid unpleasant surprises! Contact Asheville Home Inspector Peter Young before signing any contracts. Call (828) 808-4980, or click here to make an appointment.

The post Do you need a home inspection for new construction? appeared first on Peter Young Home Inspections.

By now you must have noticed that the price of almost everything is rising. Some things you have little control over. Food prices are one example, although you could try eating less, or you can build a backyard garden to raise your own veggies. The cost of energy is on the rise, as well. That’s mostly beyond your control, but there are still some things you can do to conserve energy (and money) around your home. 

There are two major reasons for conserving energy at home. The first is to save money on your utility bills, and the second is to do your part to protect the environment. Using less electricity, gas, and heating oil are beneficial to your wallet as well as being beneficial for our planet. 

Let’s look at some simple, inexpensive ways you can save energy in your home.

A bright idea

One of the easiest ways to save energy in your home is to replace those old-fashioned , inefficient incandescent bulbs. Compact fluorescent lights and LED bulbs use considerably less energy, with LEDs being the most efficient. How much energy do they save? According to the EPA, if every household in the US swapped just one incandescent bulb with an LED, we’d save about $600 million annually. That’s enough to power 3 million homes for a year.

Energy efficient bulbs cost more off the shelf, but their reduced energy usage and longer expected life spans will save money in the long run. And don’t forget to turn off the lights each time you leave a room. 

Speaking of light, reducing energy costs by using natural sunlight is almost a no-brainer. If you are about to build a home, north and south facing windows are better than east and west. It allows for more glancing light, meaning more heat and less harsh light in the winter.  

Another way to use natural light is to install skylights or “solar tubes” in your home. Skylights are windows in the roof that let in light. Solar tubes (also called sun tunnels) look like fluorescent lights, but they direct sunlight through mirrors into rooms where they are installed. A word of caution about either of these options: Have them installed by a licensed roofer to avoid water leaks.

In hot water

Your hot water heater is a major energy hog, using about 17% of the power in your home. Since most people are not likely to replace a functioning water heater with a new Energy Star model, there are a few ways to save on your water heating bill.

The first way is to use less hot water. Start by washing your clothes in cold or warm water, rather than hot. If you have a cooler setting on your dishwasher, start using it. Try cutting a few minutes off your shower, and make it just a little cooler, if you can. And install low-flow shower heads. The less water that passes through the fixture, the less water you will need to be heating.

Next, you can turn down the thermostat on your hot water heater. Many are preset to 140º F, but that is hotter than it needs to be and can be a scalding risk. Some folks go as low as 120º, while others like 130º. You may find that you like it somewhere in between. 

Another energy saving trick is to get an insulation blanket for your water heater. You can find them at most home supply stores. They keep the water in your tank warmer, so you don’t spend as much keeping it up to your desired temperature.

Baby, it’s cold inside!

It may seem counterintuitive to set your thermostat lower during the cold months, but doing so will help save on your home’s heating cost. Stay warmer by wearing more clothes indoors. Your heat pump won’t work as hard and your wallet will be a bit fatter. Do the reverse in the warmer months. Wear shorts and t-shirts indoors, and keep the AC set just a bit warmer.

Another way to save is to replenish caulk around windows and doors, and install weather stripping in areas where you feel a draft. This will help you in both winter and summer. If you are not sure how to do this, hire a professional. The savings will likely make up for installation costs.

Let it flow

This one is a “blinding flash of the obvious!” Replace your HVAC filters regularly. Change them at least every three months, and sooner if you see signs of dust and dirt on them. With clean filters, your system doesn’t have to work as hard. Not only does this save energy in your home, but it can help extend the life of your HVAC unit. 

We’ve explored simple, inexpensive ways to reduce your power bills. If you’re looking to make some real changes, replace old, inefficient appliances (even your heat pump) with Energy Star models. The costs of such replacement may be high, but they might be recouped in just a few energy-saving years.

Buying or selling a home in or near Asheville?

Avoid unpleasant surprises! Contact Asheville Home Inspector Peter Young before signing any contracts. Call (828) 808-4980, or click here to make an appointment.

The post Simple, inexpensive ways to save energy and money in your home appeared first on Peter Young Home Inspections.

“Do I need a home inspection on new construction?”

This is a question that home inspectors often hear. When considering whether to shell out the expense of hiring an inspector for new construction, there are some good reasons why you should and few (if any) reasons to pass on it.

If you’ve just had a custom-designed home built from scratch, why would you need an inspection? Didn’t the building inspectors take care of that? Not necessarily. Municipal building inspectors don’t look at the same details as independent home inspectors. That’s why it’s not a good idea to assume your home will be perfect just because it’s brand new. Sometimes builders and their subcontractors might miss some of the small things. And while we’ve all heard the expression, “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” that’s just what home inspectors do. They pay attention to the small details that builders and building inspectors might miss.

While we may assume that new homes should be mostly issue-free, that’s not a safe assumption. Inspectors cite a number of underlying issues that might need to be addressed. Let’s take a look.

Common issues with new construction

Inspectors might find a few problems in newly-built homes. Busy contractors and subcontractors can overlook small defects that a skilled inspector will spot. Some of the problems found in new construction home inspections include: 

• Drainage and grading issues, which could lead to future water and structural damage
• Gaps and cracks on decks and patios
• Loose rails on decks and outdoor stairways
• HVAC problems, such as loose connections and faulty thermostats
• Electrical issues, like open grounds, improperly wired outlets, and missing or cracked switch plates
• Window leaks
• Humidity and water issues
• Doors that stick or don’t shut properly
• Plumbing problems, such as reversed hot and cold faucets, leaks, missing shut-off valves, and more.

 New construction may reflect small gaffes, such as wobbling toilets and missing faucet handles in laundry rooms, for example. Your home inspector will spot these things.

It’s all in the details…

In new construction inspections home inspectors are looking for all the little things that the building inspector is not going to inspect: All the switches, outlets, faucets, bath fixtures, bath fans, etc. The building inspector makes progress inspections throughout the building process, but he is not going to check all the small details.

Also, building inspectors don’t usually check appliances, but a home inspector is going to operate the permanently installed kitchen appliances, such as range, microwave, oven and dishwasher. 

New home checklist

One important consideration is making sure all the utilities are turned on prior to a home inspection. It’s a waste of everyone’s time if the inspector shows up and the home is not ready for inspection.

Here’s what inspectors look for in new construction:

• HVAC systems, including the thermostat
• Plumbing, toilets, sinks, and sump pumps
• Electrical conductors, circuit breakers, meters, and panelboards
• Attic, insulation, and ventilation
• Appliances, such as dishwashers, disposals, ovens, and microwaves
• Roof, chimney, and gutters
• Doors and windows
• Exterior items, like walkways, driveways, decks, patios, and garages
• Foundation, basements, crawlspaces, and grading

Is it wise to skip inspection?

Whether you skip inspection or not, be sure your builder has a new home warranty in place, to protect you if defects show up after the home is closed. Warranties can range from one to ten years.

When you buy a newly constructed home, you want to make sure that it’s the builder, not you, who is responsible for fixing any problems. Pre-closing issues will fall squarely on the builder’s shoulders. You’re not debating whether the item is something the builder will negotiate to fix or not. It’s brand-new construction, and they are obligated to ensure their work was done properly.

Another thing to consider is a second inspection 10 or 11 months down the road. Many homes have only a one-year warranty, so it’s a good idea to spot any issues while that warranty is still in effect. Be sure to know the specifics of your home warranty, as there are no “one-size fits all” warranty templates.

You need a more experienced eye

Don’t let the polish and glitter of a new home dazzle you. Your new home might look flawless to you, but a seasoned inspector might uncover problems that can be nipped in the bud before you move in.

Avoid unpleasant surprises! Contact Asheville Home Inspector Peter Young before signing any contracts. Call (828) 808-4980, or click the link below to make an appointment.

The post Do you need a home inspection with new construction? appeared first on Peter Young Home Inspections.