Checklist For a New Builder Home

Author:	Lucas Jones
Source:	Homes Discovered
Date:	March 27, 2006

When buying a brand new builder house in Green Bay, potential buyers often think they can dispense with the need for a house inspector. If it’s new, it must be in good shape, right? Not true. New homes may have many flaws just as old ones can.  Because they have not been tested by years of use, they can be full of defects that nobody has noticed yet.  This is especially true if the builder cut any corners  or used bad practices.  Having a home inspector check the house before you buy can deter expensive surprises. A home inspector can be very expensive, from several hundred to a thousand dollars or more.  If you are planning on buying the house, it is a good idea.  If you think the house has many problems you may want to ditch the idea of the house and find another, saving money on the inspector and on home fixes. Here are some tips for making the decision on a house's quality before spending the money to get an inspector: The Structure. From a reasonable distance, look at the house.  Do the walls appear to be plumb and flat?  From inside, are any walls bowed or not square at corners?  When you jump in the middle of the floor does it bend or feel solid? Heating.  Where is the furnace or heater located and whay type is it?  Are any rooms not heated?  Do registers look adequate for heating the spaces?  Is the house air conditioned?  Is it central air? Water Control.  Does the ground slope away from the house?  Will gutters, downspouts, and drainage pipes carry excess water away from the house or into the basement?  Is there any evidence of water damage?  Is there any risk of flooding? The roof.  Is the roof new and in good shape?  Does it look neat and properly applied?  Are there any areas with broken tiles or shingles?  Are there any trees that pose a problem in clogging gutters or damaging the roof? Electrical system.  Are the number and locations of receptacles adequate to the needs of the house?  Is the main circuit breaker marked at least "100 amps"?  Is the circuit breakers labeled adequately?   How old is the wiring in the house?  Is there adequate wiring in every room of the house? Water Heater, plumbing.  Is the water heater gas or electric (gas is more efficient)?  Water supply pipes from the water heater to fixtures should be copper.  Is the water heater new or has it been replaced? Kitchen & bath fixtures.  Are sinks, toilets, and tubs quality fixtures or cheap replacements?  Do they all work properly?  Is the water pressure good?  Do you see evidence of leaking pipes or mold growth? Insulation.  Look in the attic for insulation; R-19 (6inches of fiberglass, for example) is a minimum in moderate climates; up to R-38 (12 inches of fiberglass) is required for cold climates.  Remove a receptacle cover on perimeter wall to check for wall insulation. Fireplaces.  Do they have screens or glass doors (doors are more efficient).  What about dampers and log lighters?  Is there a combustion vent that draws air from outside and a spark arrestor at the top of the chimney?  Is it a gas, electric, or wood burning fireplace? Details.  Do you see signs of quality workmanship in the finish details such as moldings, tile work, hardware, and paint?

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