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Warranty Inspection  There are two times during the purchase process of a new build home where you will want to have an inspection performed. As soon as the home has received the Certificate of Occupancy and before the final walk through is the first time. Having a complete inspection provides you with a wealth of information to assure the builder has completed the job satisfactorily. The inspection report can serve as your final punch list” before closing.
Most builders provide a one-year warranty
for new construction. Generally during this period of time the buyer develops a "punch list" of corrections for
the contractor to repair under the warranty coverage. The builder will want your “punch list” submitted by the
beginning of the 11th month. You will need to conduct this inspection the month before to allow you time to complete the forms.
Some defects will not be obvious to the untrained eye. It is prudent to obtain a thorough inspection to help create
a list of items that will most likely be repaired by your builder at no cost to you. You will be reassured knowing that
potential problems were addressed before they grew into something that could cost you a great deal down the road after the
warranty has expired.
Maintenance Inspection
 Closely related to the warranty inspection is the maintenance
inspection. The maintenance inspection is probably the most overlooked of the inspection services. We think nothing of taking
our car to the mechanic several times a year for servicing and preventive maintenance, but we rarely think to bring in an
inspector for our homes. Yet if you consider that the value of our homes are easily 10-20 times the value of our cars. It
is a good practice to have your home inspected at least once every 2 years.  Here is a classic example of a builder making a huge mistake with this stucco home. The timing
on this project was not correct as the gutter installation should have occurred after the stucco team had finished. Several
problems exist here. The roofer failed to install a kickout flashing that would have diverted the water into the gutter, and
the gutter is buried into the stucco to name a couple. Water coming down this roof will eventually go behind the stucco at
the gutter causing extensive water damage as well as potential mold problems.
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