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Private inspection on recent build before builder's warranty expires

2,042 Views | 10 Replies | Last: 2 yr ago by NoahAg
TXCityGirl
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We purchased a new build last June in College Station. Considering hiring an inspector to take a look before our warranty expires. We did not have it privately inspected before closing.
Is it worth the $485 we were quoted from an inspector? House is just @1900sf.
Red Pear Realty
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AG
I think thats a waste of money if you've lived in the house for the last year.
Irish 2.0
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Do you have any concerns? Has anything broken? If it isn't broken, the builder's warranty policy won't do anything about it.

All of your major appliances should still be under manufacturer's warranty too. Kind of seems likea waste of $485
coastalAg
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AG
The one thing an inspection might find is moisture from leaks with the thermal cameras a lot of them have now. I had an inspector find a bad plumbing connection that was slowly leaking inside a wall on a brand new build in the past.

Deats99
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AG
My go to inspector in Dallas recommends an 11 month inspection almost over move in(on new builds). Get stuff fixed and issues corrected while they are under warranty.
A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.
-George S Patton
Diggity
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AG
Your inspector has more faith in a random builder's warranty than my experience has allowed me.
Deats99
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AG
I said almost. Sorry I am not as old as your dusty butt
A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.
-George S Patton
Absolute
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AG
I do quite a lot of these type Inspections. In Dallas, new does not equal anything near perfect, dont know what it's like in CS. Quality control is non existent for the most part and I find serious issues all the time.

Yes, you are at the mercy of the builder's warranty attitude and if they suck, there isn't much you can do to fight it reasonably. But you are still better off knowing about the issues than living blindly and ignorantly and being surprised later. I actually find that most builders are not terrible about fixing the big things when they are on the report. I think a lot of them are not trying to suck, the process is flawed and they will try to make the client happy if they reasonably can.

If you did not have it inspected before moving in, you should seriously consider having a warranty inspection done. I see it as a reasonable hedge. Yes I make money on them, but I could never sell something I didn't believe in.

As with all things, not every inspector is equal. Make sure they have thermal imaging (actually have a decent imager and some experience, not just a cheap one that doesn't do anything because of crappy resolution and sensitivity.). Ask what model they use, that will surprise them, and I can tell you if it is reasonable. Also ask specifically about the roof. You would be shocked how many inspectors NEVER walk the roof and ALWAYS inspect it from the ground with binoculars. While inspecting from the ground is allowed by TREC for safety, at this point there is no excuse for an professional nspector not to have a drone license and use that to get around the safety concern. I always either walk the WHOLE roof or I fly the drone, around Dallas, where I am, I would say I am flying the drone 90 percent of the time. Only exceptions are when it is unsafe to walk AND in a flight restricted area (close to an airport or close to the XPOTUS residence.)

Ask about these things, don't assume. Your quote is not unreasonable assuming an experienced inspector that uses proper equipment.
Red Pear Realty
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AG
We've done lots of work with Kevin at Absolute Inspections. Great guy and good at what he does.
TXCityGirl
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Yes, we have had some issues with things like the front door not closing properly (builder said later that the frame is crooked), a leak through the wall in the kitchen...
I just noticed some gaps in the siding (it has siding on the back porch).
NoahAg
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TXCityGirl said:

Yes, we have had some issues with things like the front door not closing properly (builder said later that the frame is crooked), a leak through the wall in the kitchen...
I just noticed some gaps in the siding (it has siding on the back porch).
Has the builder fixed these issues?
To you have a good idea of what is covered under the one year warranty?
To me the $485 (if a competent, reputable inspector) may be worth it if it could possibly save you thousands.
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