If you’ve chosen to buy a brand new home rather than one that has been lived in previously, you may find yourself wondering if a home inspection is really necessary. After all, if everything has been built and installed brand-new, an inspection seems silly – or does it? Believe it or not, an inspection on your new build is critical. You can learn more about the hows and whys below.

Why Do You Need to Have a New Build Inspected?

Even though everything in a newly-built home is brand new and shiny, that doesn’t mean everything is up to code, properly installed, or even properly built. In most locations across the country – including the Washington, DC and Bethesda, MD areas – you will pay quite a bit more for a new build than for a preexisting home, too. For this reason, you should always hire an inspector you trust to look over the home and all its various systems before you buy.

Things to Keep in Mind for a New Build Inspection

Now that you’re aware of the importance of having a new build inspected, there are some other things you should keep in mind regarding that inspection. Here are some handy tips that can help you make sure you get your dream home without any surprises.  

• Talk to the builders. If you ask for documents like inspection reports, architectural plans, construction documents (such as permits), and surveys, the builder is obligated to provide them. If you aren’t sure how to interpret them, talk to a professional. These documents hold very important information that you will need to make an informed decision.
• Hire a professional inspector. It’s important that you find an inspector who is experienced and knowledgeable. Ideally, he or she should belong to a well-known and respected trade organization such as the ASHI, or American Society of Home Inspectors. This group has developed an outstanding set of inspection guidelines used all across the nation, and it also has a code of ethics that members must abide by.
• Research multiple inspectors. Don’t go with the inspector who offers you the lowest price. Though it’s tempting to save money, if that inspector misses something important – such as an incorrect property line, for example, or even wiring that isn’t up to code – you could end up paying far more out of pocket later down the line. A good inspector is always worth the investment, so study up and hire someone who will do a great job.
• Ask the builders for references. Be sure that you take the time to contact the references the builders provide to you to find out what kind of problems they may (or may not) have experienced. Above all else, this can truly give you a good sense of the quality of the build and the workmanship involved.

A newly-built home may seem as if it would have very few issues, if any at all, just for the simple fact that it’s brand new. However, if the builders did not carefully follow blueprints, or if the architectural design was faulty from the start, you could be dealing with some serious issues. Follow the guidelines above when hiring an inspector, and be sure that you get all the information you need to make an educated buying decision.