New Construction Inspection

Buying a brand new home? You need to know the following: Due to the housing boom over the last several years, the quality of workmanship for new construction has decreased dramatically. There are several factors contributing to this trend such as; large production builders working on tight production schedules, over worked project managers expected to manage 15-25 houses at various stages of production, sub trade employees with little or no training and supervision, and municipal inspectors with workloads of 30 to 50 inspections per day. In addition, most consumers incorrectly assume that if a new home passes municipal code inspections, then the home must be OK. Having been a municipal code inspector for over eight years, I can assure you that just because a home passes municipal inspections; it does not guarantee the home is built using best construction practices or top quality materials. Municipal inspectors can ONLY inspect to ensure code compliance. Quality control issues and best installation methods and materials are outside the scope of their authority. The building codes are the bare minimum standards legally allowed by law. Anything less would be illegal. It always amazes me when I hear a builder bragging or advertising that he builds in compliance with the building code. He is essentially advertising that he builds to the bare minimum standards. With the issues noted above, it’s easy to see why the level of workmanship has decreased in recent years. As a result, new home owners are experiencing a steadily increasing rate of repair and maintenance costs in the early years of new home ownership. With that in mind, Taylor Inspection Services, Inc. offers multi phase inspections throughout the entire construction process to help reduce the possibility of hidden defects that can become costly repairs within a short period of time after the completion of the home. As a private inspector, we have the technical expertise, code knowledge and certifications, experience, and most importantly, the TIME to conduct detailed inspections of your home throughout the construction process. We can custom design an inspection program to your specifications to help insure that your new home or building is well built. The following is a list of typical inspections that are available for a new construction project.

New Construction Inspection Descriptions

Footer Inspection The inspector will inspect the size, depth, and location of all footers to verify compliance with the construction drawings. The inspector will also inspect the footing rebar for proper size, location, overlap requirements and compliance with construction drawings. We will inspect to ensure that all footers are clean and that all loose debris has been removed from the trench prior to the placing of concrete. Foundation Inspection The inspector will inspect the foundation to verify compliance with the construction drawings as well as overall workmanship and quality control issues. This includes, mortar joints, steel placement, and fully grouted cells as required by the drawings. Lintel/Tie Beam Inspection The inspector will inspect lintels and tie beams for proper bearing and steel placement as required per the construction drawings. Slab Inspection The inspector will inspect the slab prior to the placing of concrete to verify slab thickness, load bearing thickened slab sections, proper installation of moisture barrier, proper placement of steel, verification of termite pre-treatment as required by the construction drawings.

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Underground Plumbing Inspection The inspector will inspect all underground plumbing supply, drain, waste and vent piping to ensure compliance with the construction drawings and to assess the overall installation of the materials with respect to quality control and sizing requirements.

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Nail-off Inspection The inspector will inspect the wall and roof sheathing prior to covering to verify compliance with the construction drawings with respect to specific nailing schedules that are required for the structure to be in compliance with the Florida building hurricane codes.

Moisture Barrier/Flashing Inspection The inspector will inspect the moisture barrier and any flashings at windows and doors for proper installation techniques and practices which are critical in preventing moisture intrusion to the interior of the structure.

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Insulation Inspection The inspector will inspect the insulation to verify compliance with the construction documents and to assess the overall installation with respect to quality control issues.

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Framing/Cover-up Inspection The inspector will inspect the framing, roof trusses, plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems to ensure compliance with the construction drawings. The inspector will also inspect all of the afore-mentioned systems with respect to overall quality and industry standard installation methods and materials.

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Final Inspection The purpose of the final inspection is to alert the client of significant defects that may not be readily apparent to the home buyer. The inspector will inspect the entire house from top to bottom. This includes the plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems, all installed appliances, windows, doors, walls, floors and ceilings, roof, exterior finishes, final grading and landscaping. The inspector will operate appliances and systems to ensure proper operation prior to occupancy of the structure.

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