Welcome and congratulations on your new home! Building a new home can be both exciting and stressful. I am here to make sure things go smooth for you and you are getting what you paid for on your new home! I specialize in new construction home inspections. Just in 2023 alone I did over 170 new construction inspections. Below is a guideline on the inspection process and how to proceed on getting your new home inspected during the construction process and at the final stage.
First things first
In order for me to perform any inspections on your new home build I will need to get approval from the builder. Most builders require me to submit a liability document from my insurance company.
- Typically I send that document directly to you via email and you will then send it to your builder salesperson requesting an inspection (either pre-drywall or final).
- If you want me to send it directly to your salesperson then I will need their name, email, your lot number and address. I will then send them the document directly.
- The builder may take a day or two but sooner than later they will send you a response approving the inspection. They will also give days and times that they will allow me to do the inspection.
- Note that most of the time I am not allowed to do the inspection during your walkthroughs with the builder. I usually am told to do the inspection afterwards. You walkthroughs usually take 1-1.5 hours to do.
Things I will need from you include:
- First and last name
- Phone number
- Email address
- Lot number
- Salesperson contact information
- Finished home square footage
- The new homes address
Pre-drywall Inspections
If your new home is in the beginning stages of the build then I highly recommend a pre-drywall inspection. This inspection consists of inspecting framing, foundation, roof, rough plumbing, rough electrical, and rough HVAC. For more information on pre-drwyall click here.
**McBride homes**: Inspectors are no longer allowed to walk the roof to inspect it. Submission for inspection request has to be made for pre-drywall 14 days or more before your walkthrough via this website: https://mcbrideinspection.com/
- For pre-drywall inspections I have a very short notice and time frame to do these.
- The builder will let you know when your pre-drywall walkthrough is usually 24-48 hours beforehand.
- It is very important to let me know the walkthrough date and time ASAP so I can get your pre-drywall inspection scheduled.
- Most builders request I do the inspection after your pre-drywall walkthrough with the builder or before the walkthrough and do not allow me to do it during the walkthrough.
- My pre-drywall inspections take anywhere from 1-2 hours to complete. It can take longer if that house is 3000sqft+
- I will get you the inspection report within a few hours of completing the pre-drywall inspection.
- Most builders just want the summary of deficiencies. I will send you a link to the report and also send a separate link with just the summary if requested.
Final Inspections
The final inspection is an inspection of the home at its completion point right before closing. Most builders request I perform the inspection 5 days to a week before the closing date so that they have time to address any issues that arise at the inspection. One local builder now requires the inspection to be performed before carpet goes in (which, at that point, the house is nowhere near complete. In that case I recommend and inspection before your 1 month warranty). At this inspection I will inspect everything in the house that I would normally inspect on a completed house. Here is a list.
**McBride Homes**: McBride no longer allows final inspections once carpet is installed. At this point utilities aren’t on and the house is no where near complete for proper inspection so it is pointless. I recommend hiring me once you take ownership of the home. I have people have me inspect the home the day they close, the day after, right before the one month warranty, and right before the 10-11-12 month warranty. The choice is yours.
- The builder will usually give you a closing date shortly after the pre-drywall walkthrough. This is nice because it gives us time to schedule the final inspection.
- The builder will give a time period of when the final inspection must be completed by. Typically the inspection needs to be completed no later than 5 days to a week before closing. We don’t want to do the inspection too early because the house may not be completed enough for inspection or utilities may not be connected yet to ensure a thorough inspection.
- I will have to submit my insurance documents again to be approved for final inspection. As soon as you get a closing date you will need to contact me so I can send you the document again to forward to your builders salesperson. If you would like me to submit the request please let me know so that I can do that. I will just need the salespersons email, your lot number, and your address.
- I will get you the inspection report within a few hours of completing the final inspection.
- Most builders just want the summary of deficiencies. I will send you a link to the report and also send a separate link with just the summary if requested.
Warranty Inspections
Most builders offer a warranty on your new home. Warranty’s can vary from 10 months to 1 year from the date you close on the home. You are required to submit your issues to the builder typically 2-4 weeks before the warranty period ends. The warranty inspection will be the same inspection as the final inspection except I will blue tape nail/screw pops on your drywall if desired.
- The builder will give you a warranty date. Your issues will need to be submitted prior to this date
- It is important to schedule the inspection prior to the end of the warranty period.
- I will get you the inspection report within 24 hours of completing the warranty inspection.
- My report will have a copy and paste option. This is needed as some builders, like McBride, have an online portal in which you must submit your issues one by one. They WILL NOT accept my report being forwarded or attached. You will be required to copy and paste the issues in my report into the portal unfortunately.
Text me with Questions: 636-614-3234