Attic in garage question

[KathiF]

I just bought and closed. Had stairs installed to attic in garage. When I went up after steps were put in the attic was full of garbage from the subs I.e. nails trim, molding all thrown up there. Also all the insulation was piled up on top of each other.
Also I was concerned that all the way around between the roof and the house is open in the attic to the outside. I can see my yard from up there and my neighbors house.
My question is is this supposed to be like that, the open part or is it supposed to be closed so nothing can get in the attic by flying under the roof?
I can deal with the other mess
Thanks

[Topspinmo]

Was this house new?

[Dond1959]

You should be concerned if the insulation is stacked together. It should be spread evenly across the space. You have openings called soffit vents all around the edge of your roof. You can see them from outside your home. These are for ventilation for the attic and they should not have anything covering them, if it is a new home take pictures and call home warranty. If it is a preowned home take pictures and contact your Villages agent or realtor. If new home make sure you have an inspection a month or so before your one year anniversary. If a preowned home I would suggest an inspection now to see if there are any major issues with the home. If you got an inspection before you closed I am amazed they didn’t go into the attic and see the mess.

[splashes]

If it is new contact home warranty Its NOT supposed to be that way

[Bjeanj]

Something’s wrong, and with the weather this cold, something is going to seek shelter wherever it can get it. Better hop on this issue quickly!

[DangeloInspections]

These are all issues we find regularly when we do the one year warranty inspection. We take photos and document the issues in the attic and put them in the report that gets sent to warranty. They are taken care of.

That being said, if you are indeed in the attic and can see outside, then something is very wrong and you should contact the Warranty department first thing tomorrow before you have a pest intrusion issue. Their number is 352-753-6222. Hope that helps!

[blueash]

While the OP kathiF has not replied whether this is a new home, she has previously posted she is buying a CYV in Bradford, so a new home. I only post this so that others in Bradford, especially in a CYV will be alerted to this shoddy construction issue as certainly the same contractors built not just her home.

[KathiF]

Was this house new?

Yes new

[KathiF]

Thanks for all the replies. I have my guidance.

[RoadToad]

. If you got an inspection before you closed I am amazed they didn’t go into the attic and see the mess.

Maybe you missed the part of OP where he had stairs installed.
Area was not accessable to earlier inspections?

[Skunky1]

Did you hire a home inspector? If you did you get what you paid for!

[CFrance]

Maybe you missed the part of OP where he had stairs installed.
Area was not accessable to earlier inspections?
You can get up there quite easily with a ladder.

[M2inOR]

When buying new, I recommend hiring someone to do a thorough inspection. We hired D'Angelo to inspect shortly after we closed. Yes, they found a lot that needed to be taken care of. Some minor, some major.

No way can the future homeowner find these in the typucalc1 hour walkthrough just before closing.

We repeated this inspection 1 month before the 1 year anniversary, and found a few more minor things that warranty department needed to take care of.

[dahrens1]

I just bought and closed. Had stairs installed to attic in garage. When I went up after steps were put in the attic was full of garbage from the subs I.e. nails trim, molding all thrown up there. Also all the insulation was piled up on top of each other.
Also I was concerned that all the way around between the roof and the house is open in the attic to the outside. I can see my yard from up there and my neighbors house.
My question is is this supposed to be like that, the open part or is it supposed to be closed so nothing can get in the attic by flying under the roof?
I can deal with the other mess
Thanks

You mentioned that you recently had stairs installed in your garage ceiling. When I did the same recently (also in Bradford) I found that all of the original ceiling trim work (with nails) had been left up in the attic from the stair installation. If you had more than this amount of trim material then that would be unusual and not correct. The other issues you mentioned definitely need attention as others already posted.

[ron32162]

I think that's what a walk thru on the day of closing is for. It covers the attic if things are not right its your time to let the sellers and agent know before closing not after.

[Dana1963]

I just bought and closed. Had stairs installed to attic in garage. When I went up after steps were put in the attic was full of garbage from the subs I.e. nails trim, molding all thrown up there. Also all the insulation was piled up on top of each other.
Also I was concerned that all the way around between the roof and the house is open in the attic to the outside. I can see my yard from up there and my neighbors house.
My question is is this supposed to be like that, the open part or is it supposed to be closed so nothing can get in the attic by flying under the roof?
I can deal with the other mess
Thanks
Should have had a professional home inspection B4 purchase.

[DangeloInspections]

On a brand new, never lived in before home bought from The Villages, a "before closing" inspection is typically not done, as the house and property is still owned by The Villages. After the closing, the home is yours. The Villages expects you to submit a "Checklist" or "punch-list" of items you have noticed for them to repair.

This is your "honeymoon" period where the builder is more inclined to fix issues on that list. The homeowner needs to know that there ARE items that are only warrantied for 30 days......your checklist should focus on those items. For example, scratches, screens, etc., are only warrantied for 30 days. If you have a large scratch in your kitchen sink, they would most likely take care of it if submitted within that first 30 days.....after that, they could say your roasting pan caused the scratch so it is not covered.

Many issues that we find in an 11th month inspection will not be there right after closing, like cracks, screw pops, etc., because the house needs to settle, etc. This is why when we do a "Checklist" inspection we concentrate more on the issues that they will only fix within the first month. Most everything else can be taken care of after the 11th month inspection. Of course, in a checklist inspection we will include in the report everything we find....but we will find more in the 11th month inspection because the house has had time to settle, etc.

If folks only want to do one inspection we recommend they do their own careful "checklist", and we will find everything else during the 11th month inspection. One should understand that a warranty inspection is a different type of inspection that your typical Pre-owned "buyer/seller/Realtor" inspection.......those inspections ONLY look for Mechanical, Structural and Safety issues. A warranty inspection looks much deeper, as it also includes all the cosmetic issues that we know the builder will fix.....grout cracks, screw pops, drywall cracks, etc., etc.....

Hope this helps....Frank D.

[OhioBuckeye]

I just bought and closed. Had stairs installed to attic in garage. When I went up after steps were put in the attic was full of garbage from the subs I.e. nails trim, molding all thrown up there. Also all the insulation was piled up on top of each other.
Also I was concerned that all the way around between the roof and the house is open in the attic to the outside. I can see my yard from up there and my neighbors house.
My question is is this supposed to be like that, the open part or is it supposed to be closed so nothing can get in the attic by flying under the roof?
I can deal with the other mess
Thanks

I would say that’s between you & your realtor. Who’s garbage was it, the people that put your stairs in or the previous owners?

[Bogie Shooter]

I would say that’s between you & your realtor. Who’s garbage was it, the people that put your stairs in or the previous owners?

New home.

[stebooo]

I assume you have perforated soffits, and yes every house in the world should have a place for air to escape. Are you coming from a life time of condo living?

[blueash]

I assume you have perforated soffits, and yes every house in the world should have a place for air to escape. Are you coming from a life time of condo living?

Not every home has soffits, only those with overhanging roof construction. And most people have no idea of the technical details of home construction. There are many alternate ways of providing ventilation other than soffits. There are many people who have never been up in the attic of their home. KathiF's concerns were appropriate and she need not be mocked for her possible normal amount of knowledge about attic ventilation.

[joelfmi]

As a rule of thum it is very hard to trust anyone when you close on a new or resale home. That why you do your due delengence before you sign.

[bdescalzi]

Almost every home in the Villages, to the best of my knowledge, has to have some access to the attic. The access is in the garage or MBR closet ceiling.

[zendog3]

I wouldn't be sure something is wrong.
Your roof should be ventilated at or near the ridge, with some openings lower down to allow air to enter. Without ventilation, the attic would be an oven over your ceiling in summer.

A builder will usually leave a supply of excess material for repair. This includes paint, wallpaper, tile, carpet, base board etc.

The best thing to do is call and check.

[jimlambert]

Maybe you missed the part of OP where he had stairs installed.
Area was not accessable to earlier inspections?

I’m sure there was an opening for the crawl space, just no stairs yet.

[croughwell]

Didn't you have a house inspection when you purchased the home?

[Topspinmo]

Maybe you missed the part of OP where he had stairs installed.
Area was not accessable to earlier inspections?

So inspectors don’t carry ladder?

[DangeloInspections]

This thread has become a bit exasperating. As I stated before, it is VERY rare to EVER have a brand new VILLAGES home inspected prior to closing because until closing, the home is owned by The Villages. My company has done over 7000 inspections in The Villages, and we have only done a couple of pre-closing inspections on a brand new never lived in before Villages home. We have done many checklist inspections within the first month of ownership, and thousands of 11 month inspections. PRE-OWNED homes most always have inspections before the buyer closes...but brand new, never lived in homes in The Villages rarely EVER do.

Yes, all good inspectors have with them at least 3-4 ladders.

The original poster stated that from the attic she could clearly see outside. Not just light, but the OUTSIDE. She sad she could see her yard and her neighbors house from the attic. This is not normal.

Finding construction debris up in the attic space is not uncommon. We put this in our report and one of the Subs comes and cleans it out.

Most homes in The Villages have perforated soffit vents and either ridge vents or static round saucer vents for ventilation. However there was one neighborhood in The Villages built about 5-6 years ago that had a closed cell sealed attic foamed attic as an experiment. Less than 100 villa homes were done this way.

Frank D.

[EdZambelli]

Absolutely not!! They always clean up.

[OhioBuckeye]

New home.

Oh, then the builders put it up there because you probably paid for it!

[Lonnieme2]

Even if the attic was not accessible before the new homeowner had the attic stairs installed, shouldn't the Home Inspector have investigated the attic somehow to ensure that wiring, insulation, etc up there is good?

[Lonnieme2]

You are right... not accessible before the stairs were installed. Good job paying attention to the details! :-)
Scary, that if the builders are shoving garbage in the attics and then closing things up, what else are they hiding? I thought that someone was monitoring things to ensure that those who buy in the Villages are protected compared to if they purchased elsewhere. I love this forum because I am learning a lot and feel that my hubby and I will be fully prepared and aware when we move to The Villages. Some garbage in the attic won't deter us. We'll just get a really good home inspector.

[DangeloInspections]

Folks, some of you are not really understanding the posts on this thread. I do not know the original poster or their specific home. However, the facts here are as follows;

1) The original poster bought a brand new home from The Villages. The first day or so, right after closing, the owner does get to do a "walk through" with the builder or an associate. Prior to the closing there is NOT A HOME INSPECTION. It is different from a pre-owned house. Inspections are typically within the first month, (a punch-list Inspection) and/or the 11th month Warranty Inspection.

2) In All Villages homes the attic IS accessible through the garage hatchway and also on some models a hatchway in the guest hallway or master closet. Any good inspector uses these hatchways, (which is just a piece of drywall, easily lived up) to inspect the attic. You do NOT need you to install attic stairs first.

3) The builder does NOT put "garbage" in your attic. Often however, we do find building scraps, extra nails, small pieces of 2x4's etc. When we find this we include it in the warranty report and they send someone to clean it up.

4) Lastly, The Villages DOES build a good home. They do build them quickly, so sometimes things do very much fall "through the cracks". We specialize in inspecting Villages homes within the first year, and always also send the report to Warranty so they can take care of the issues we find. They are typically very responsive. The fact remains that we would not be so busy if we inspected houses only to tell the homeowner, "We did not find anything, I'll just take your check". That NEVER happens. Usually folks are very surprised at how many issues we DO find. Warranty inspections allow you that last chance to get things fixed while the home is still under your one year warranty without paying for those repairs.

I'm just trying to keep this thread factual. Hope it helps!

Frank D.

[Kenswing]

Folks, some of you are not really understanding the posts on this thread. I do not know the original poster or their specific home. However, the facts here are as follows;

1) The original poster bought a brand new home from The Villages. The first day or so, right after closing, the owner does get to do a "walk through" with the builder or an associate. Prior to the closing there is NOT A HOME INSPECTION. It is different from a pre-owned house. Inspections are typically within the first month, (a punch-list Inspection) and/or the 11th month Warranty Inspection.

2) In All Villages homes the attic IS accessible through the garage hatchway and also on some models a hatchway in the guest hallway or master closet. Any good inspector uses these hatchways, (which is just a piece of drywall, easily lived up) to inspect the attic. You do NOT need you to install attic stairs first.

3) The builder does NOT put "garbage" in your attic. Often however, we do find building scraps, extra nails, small pieces of 2x4's etc. When we find this we include it in the warranty report and they send someone to clean it up.

I'm just trying to keep this thread factual. Hope it helps!

Frank D.I appreciate the time you take trying to educate everyone, Frank. I've learned so much from reading your posts over the years. You need to post some of your favorite smoker recipes to go along with your inspection expertise. :icon_wink:

I think you're fighting a losing battle on this one. People aren't understanding what's actually being talked about in this thread. They see what they want to see.

[DangeloInspections]

Thank you Ken for the kind words. I do appreciate it, and Ionly want to be helpful.

At the risk of going off topic...(I apologize in advance), I recently added a nice Blackstone griddle next to my Camp Chef pellet grill. It was given to me, and I love this griddle almost as much as the pellet smoker grill. Having both, I now know I'd never go back to ever owning a gas grill again.

OK....back to talking about Attics, new houses, etc.....haha.

Thanks again! Frank D.

[Bilyclub]

It's a pretty common building code in most places that there must be access to the attic provided inside the house. I would be surprised if this is not the code here.