Many people buy a home, either new or used, and they assume that a city inspection means that the home is free from defects concerning workmanship and installations, but this is simply not true. A city inspection may cover a lot of things, but these defects are not included in the list. When the city does an inspection, they are looking at code regulations, and may not even notice cosmetic defects, or defects in the installations and workmanship that do not violate any city building codes. This can lead to an unpleasant surprise for any home buyer who does not have a professional home inspection done, and who does not do a complete walk through while inspecting every aspect of the home before the closing is done. During your personal inspection, make a list of any problems, changes, or corrections that should be done, and have the builder sign this list to ensure that they agree to finish the project to your specifications.
City inspections have a purpose, and that is to ensure that all building codes are being followed and that the work is done according to the guidelines set out by the city. These inspections ensure that the structures are safe, the electrical systems have any required safety features, and other items that are important to the health and safety of the residents. This is one reason why if you are purchasing a new construction you should be present at the inspection for each phase of the building that is done by the city inspector, to ensure interior structures which will be covered by walls are completed safely and correctly before these things are hidden from view by the rest of the building process. If your corner moldings are not flush because of poor workmanship, the odds are the city inspector will consider that a cosmetic defect only, with no health or safety issues, so that the inspector may not even mention this fact in the inspection report.
City inspections should occur at several stages during a new construction, including these phases at minimum: foundation, framing, mechanical, insulation, vapor barrier, and home completion, to ensure that each phase meets the city code requirements. There may be other city inspections as well, but no matter how many inspections your home has, a city inspection will not point out defects which do not pose safety or health hazards as stated in your local city code. You should be present at each inspection, to make sure there are no signs of improper or defective installations or workmanship. If you notice these problems, point them out to the city inspector and to the builder or contractor. This will ensure that the contractor or builder understands these defects need to be corrected before you approve the next phase to begin. Hire a professional home inspector, and this step may cost you a little up front but will save you enormous expenses and problems later on. A professional home inspector will look at all aspects of your home, including any cosmetic defects, so that you are aware of them. These inspections will catch all defective workmanship and installations, so that they can be corrected before the home is finished and the deal closed. This is important, because many times a contractor has finished the job and received payment, and then it takes some time for them to come back and fix these defects; in the meantime you must live with them. If it is not possible to have these defects fixed before the home is complete, make sure you have a contract in writing which requires the money to fix the defects to be put in escrow, and that states a time line for the repairs and corrections to be done.
Do not ever rely solely on city inspections as the basis to buy or close on a home. It is always advisable to pay for your own professional inspection using a professional licensed building inspector, so that you have a better idea of any defective installations and workmanship with your home and property. Unfortunately, when the housing market is rising in your area builders and contractors may have more work available than they can keep up with, and this may lead to them being rushed, so that the workmanship is poor quality and installations are defective. The city inspector must inspect the project, but that does not mean that they will catch these defects, and this can lead to a big headache for you.
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