A Guide To New Construction Phase Inspections

Building a new home is exciting and expensive.

This may be one of the largest investments you make in your lifetime, so you want to ensure it’s good. Even if you hire the best builders in the country, it’s important to have a construction phase inspection to ensure your new home is safe, sound and ready to welcome you and your family.

What Is A New Construction Phase Inspection?

When you buy land and build a house, every inch of the home must pass a thorough inspection to ensure it meets the homeowner’s requirements and all safety and structural standards.

Professional home inspectors evaluate the home’s building process in phases: before builders pour the foundation before they hang the drywall, and after the home is completely built, but before homeowners move in.

The new construction phase inspection ensures builders aren’t cutting corners, causing safety issues, or putting homeowners at risk of dealing with structural and financial headaches down the road. It’s usually the buyer’s responsibility to order the inspection, as it protects your investment in the property.

New Construction Vs. Regular Home Inspection

A home inspection on a new build differs from a regular home inspection because inspectors can evaluate the home’s structural integrity before builders do anything permanent. For example, if the inspector finds an issue before builders pour the drywall, they can require builders to fix the issue and prevent future complications after pouring the drywall.

In a regular home inspection, the inspector evaluates an already-built home. They can’t see things beyond the foundation or drywall, which could leave undetected defects that could cause problems down the road if there aren’t any current signs the inspector can see.

What Are The Different Phases Of A New Construction Inspection?

There are three phases to the new construction home inspection, each is equally important.

Phase 1: Pre-Pour (Foundation)

Before builders pour the foundation, inspectors can evaluate the preparation done to ensure structural integrity.

Items commonly inspected include:

• Trenches and footers to ensure proper width
• Installation of pipe casings
• Metal, beams and tension cables are properly placed and connected
• Pipes and sleeves are properly set

Phase 2: Pre-Drywall

After the foundation is poured, a professional home inspector should do a pre-drywall inspection before the builders hang the drywall. This is the last inspection before the home is closed up with insulation and drywall and gives inspectors a chance to inspect the inner workings, such as plumbing, electrical, ducts and the roof’s structure.

Items commonly inspected include:

• Framing to ensure it’s structurally sound
• Integrity of the wood used
• All exterior walls and windows
• Rough-ins for HVAC systems
• All fasteners, connectors, and bolts
• Exterior electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems

Phase 3: Final Inspection

The final inspection is the phase that’s most like a regular home inspection. This is when the inspector looks at all aspects of the completed home, ensures their integrity, and provides the builder with a list of any issues they must address before you occupy the home.

Items commonly inspected include:

• All major systems, plumbing, electrical and mechanical
• Roof and attic integrity
• Structural soundness of walls, ceilings, windows and doors
• HVAC and water supply systems
• All exterior components, including porch, patio, and deck
• Appliances

How Much Does A New Construction Phase Inspection Cost?

The cost of a new construction phase inspection varies based on the area, size of the home and type of inspection you want. If you want all three phases inspected, you’ll pay between $1,500 and $2,000, but if you only want one or two phases inspected, expect to pay $250 – $500 per phase.

This is just one of the many expenses to consider when determining the cost of building a house. It should be included in your budget, as you don’t want to skip the inspection phase.

Why Are New Home Construction Phase Inspections Important?

There are many reasons to pay for a new home construction phase inspection, including your safety and the assurance that your construction loan financing will get approved.

Here are a few other reasons not to pass up on the inspection:

• Identifying safety issues. An inspection can discover safety issues before the building is complete to ensure the home is built to code and safe for occupancy.
• Ensures code enforcement. Ensuring a home’s structure is up to code prevents unnecessary fines or legal troubles, especially when you go to sell the home.
• New doesn’t mean without problems. It’s still humans building your house, and anything can go wrong, from preventable to unpredictable issues. Having an inspection at each phase limits the problems you may have in the future with the home.

How To Order Phase Inspections On A New Build

To order a phase inspection on a new build, follow these steps:

1. Do your research. Don’t assume all inspectors are good. Do your research, read reviews, and check out the Better Business Bureau before hiring an inspector.
2. Talk to your builder. Reputable builders will welcome an outside inspector to evaluate their work, but it’s always a good idea to let your builder know your intentions so they are aware.
3. Hire the inspector. Once everyone is on the same page, you can hire the inspector and connect him and the builder so they can determine the best timeline for the inspections.

The Bottom Line: Protect Your Investment With New Build Inspections

The journey to new construction homeownership can vary from person to person, but it’s always a good idea to have a new construction phase inspection. If you missed the opportunity before they poured the foundation, you still have a chance at pre-drywall and again before you take ownership of the home.

The key is to ensure the home is up to code, safe and has no immediate problems when you and your family move into it. If you’re thinking about building a new home or your home is almost complete, start the mortgage application process to secure your financing so you can enjoy your new home.