Anybody pass on an inspection on a new build?

[TOTV Newbie]

We have a new build house available today. Should we hire an inspector or just go with it, with the warranty.

Recommendations on home inspectors?

Thx

[Kelsie52]

We have a new build house available today. Should we hire an inspector or just go with it, with the warranty.

Recommendations on home inspectors?

Thx

IMHO on a new build you have 1 year on almost everything
They are quick to fix things during this period.

[asianthree]

On both of our new builds we used home inspector at 11 months after close. He found some cosmetic problems and An electrical problem with some outlets. . Warranty fixed all but outlets, said they were fine. 14 months after close outlets fried our lamps and went dead. Warranty fixed them at no charge because we had inspection done and those outlets were specifically on the report.

[golfing eagles]

On both of our new builds we used home inspector at 11 months after close. He found some cosmetic problems and An electrical problem with some outlets. . Warranty fixed all but outlets, said they were fine. 14 months after close outlets fried our lamps and went dead. Warranty fixed them at no charge because we had inspection done and those outlets were specifically on the report.

I 100% agree. Get a home inspection about 11 months out. Frank D'Angelo is extremely thorough and prepares an extensive report that he then submits to home warranty so everything is on the record. For 3 or 400 dollars he saved us thousands.

[DangeloInspections]

Great question....

99% of my business is doing one year warranty inspections. I also on occasion do "punchlist" inspections within 30 days after you close, but that is something many new homeowners elect to do themselves.

Understand that although MOST things are warrantied for one year, SOME items are only warrantied for 30 days. You would be wise to consider this 30 day time after your closing your "Honeymoon period", where it is easier to get some things fixed that warranty will not fix when the home approches a year old.

These are the things you need to focus on right after closing.

Check the following as soon as possible;

1) Ripped or missing screens- This in most cases will not be covered a year from now because a ripped screen could be caused by a landscaper.

2) Scratches in sinks, tubs, mirrors, countertops, vinyl floors, sliding glass doors, windows, Appliances, etc.-
Once you've lived there for months, who is to say you did not cause these issues?

3) Landscaping- This one is tough....make sure your sprinklers are working properly.

4) Cracks, gaps in the caulk, etc.

5) Know that some things you are better off waiting until your 10-11 month inspection, as they will only come out to fix some things once. If you find 4 cracks, I will find 4-5 more most likely.

It is wise to schedule your one year warranty inspection 3-4 months ahead of your one year closing date. The better Inspectors get booked up often for two months ahead of time.

So...to answer your question, most folks do their "punchlist" themselves, (Do a good one!!) and have a good Inspector do the one year inspection about 10-11 months after you close. At that time your Inspector will in most all cases walk all over your roof, check your attic well, etc. He will find some things you will be surprised at.

I do about 400 warranty inspections a year and have never once been told afterwards that id was not worth it. It is your last chance to get issues fixed without opening your wallet. In my humble opinion, (of course) I think it is good money spent. My customers tend to agree.

Respectfully, Frank D'Angelo
Hope this helps! Congratulations on your new home!

[graciegirl]

I 100% agree. Get a home inspection about 11 months out. Frank D'Angelo is extremely thorough and prepares an extensive report that he then submits to home warranty so everything is on the record. For 3 or 400 dollars he saved us thousands.

I agree. Frank D'angelo is EXCELLENT and warranty is quick to fix things. MY advice is to be nice to warranty and they will be nice to you.

[twoplanekid]

I agree. Frank D'angelo is EXCELLENT and warranty is quick to fix things. MY advice is to be nice to warranty and they will be nice to you.

I would agree except - “3) Landscaping- This one is tough....”

Warranty will give you every excuse in the book to avoid correcting drainage issues between houses. Being nice did not work for me on this issue.

[redwitch]

They'll fight almost any issue regarding landscaping. I've done battles on irrigation issues, dead grass due to irrigation issues, plants dying almost immediately, drainage issues. Home Warranty is really good about getting most things repaired but be prepared to fight them on some issues.

[villagetinker]

A third vote for Frank, he does a great job.

[NYGUY]

Frank is the best!!

[village dreamer]

I would agree except - “3) Landscaping- This one is tough....”

Warranty will give you every excuse in the book to avoid correcting drainage issues between houses. Being nice did not work for me on this issue.

I 2nd that....................

[tuctba]

Great question....



99% of my business is doing one year warranty inspections. I also on occasion do "punchlist" inspections within 30 days after you close, but that is something many new homeowners elect to do themselves.



Understand that although MOST things are warrantied for one year, SOME items are only warrantied for 30 days. You would be wise to consider this 30 day time after your closing your "Honeymoon period", where it is easier to get some things fixed that warranty will not fix when the home approches a year old.



These are the things you need to focus on right after closing.



Check the following as soon as possible;



1) Ripped or missing screens- This in most cases will not be covered a year from now because a ripped screen could be caused by a landscaper.



2) Scratches in sinks, tubs, mirrors, countertops, vinyl floors, sliding glass doors, windows, Appliances, etc.-

Once you've lived there for months, who is to say you did not cause these issues?



3) Landscaping- This one is tough....make sure your sprinklers are working properly.



4) Cracks, gaps in the caulk, etc.



5) Know that some things you are better off waiting until your 10-11 month inspection, as they will only come out to fix some things once. If you find 4 cracks, I will find 4-5 more most likely.



It is wise to schedule your one year warranty inspection 3-4 months ahead of your one year closing date. The better Inspectors get booked up often for two months ahead of time.



So...to answer your question, most folks do their "punchlist" themselves, (Do a good one!!) and have a good Inspector do the one year inspection about 10-11 months after you close. At that time your Inspector will in most all cases walk all over your roof, check your attic well, etc. He will find some things you will be surprised at.



I do about 400 warranty inspections a year and have never once been told afterwards that id was not worth it. It is your last chance to get issues fixed without opening your wallet. In my humble opinion, (of course) I think it is good money spent. My customers tend to agree.



Respectfully, Frank D'Angelo

Hope this helps! Congratulations on your new home!



Hi Frank could you please send me your contact info.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rubicon]

I had my inspected within the first year. If I had to do it over again I would have done an inspection immediately and before the year was up. I say this because a screen was damaged when the house was built and they refuse to replace it. thank God it wasn't a more expensive item.

Also in most states the Statue of Repose is 10 years on structures.

It may be worth while to have your home re-inspected before that 10 year window closes

[JerryLBell]

I 100% agree. Get a home inspection about 11 months out. Frank D'Angelo is extremely thorough and prepares an extensive report that he then submits to home warranty so everything is on the record. For 3 or 400 dollars he saved us thousands.
We talked to Frank before buying and that's what he suggested. We had him in 11 months after we bought and the repairs done on things he found more than covered the cost of his visit. The man is very thorough, very detailed and knows his stuff.

[RickeyD]

Pretty much wasted my money. A few cosmetic things were noted but not worth the money I spent. If I were full time I never would have spent the money.
Myself I picked up on at least 12 warranty issues that were fixed within the first year. If it weren't for TOTV I wouldn't have bothered. Just my two cents.

[golf2140]

I would agree, Fran is good. I would also have him do a pre purchase inspection, outside paint, etc. Get the small things fixed before closing.

[e-flyer]

Pretty much wasted my money. A few cosmetic things were noted but not worth the money I spent. If I were full time I never would have spent the money.
Myself I picked up on at least 12 warranty issues that were fixed within the first year. If it weren't for TOTV I wouldn't have bothered. Just my two cents.

I agree, most of the time they find minor issues (cracks, etc.), but for peace of mind on larger issues (electrical, lack of insulation, structural most folks get an inspection. From what I hear/read, Frank is very good, and takes his time. With the inspector we had, he found a few minor issues and when he completed the inspection I asked him to add the 10 items I personally found that he didn't have listed.

[villagetinker]

OP, I think the money was worth it, Frank found a few items that I would have probably missed until AFTER the warranty period was up, and at least 2 of the items would have covered the cost of the inspection.