Does A New Home Need An Home Inspection?

That is a frequently-asked question that our Office Manager gets when someone is buying a brand new home, or even a home that's just a few years old.

The answer is always YES!  Are you surprised by that? And no, it's not because we get paid, because trust me, we turn down numerous "home inspections" each week. Read my previous blog on a Home Inspector's character and you'll see why.;)

I recently performed a home inspection on a brand new house in LaSalle, Ontario.  Our client was to take possession of the house at the end of this month but that might be delayed - read on and you'll see why. Although the builder is reputable, our client felt the need to have us inspect the home for peace of mind. There's a reason why that's our tag line!

Usually the client follows me around and asks questions but this client wandered around the home on his own as I went through my usual home inspection routine.  The builder was there as well but he was busy installing a central vac in the garage. In fact, many reputable builders often hire us to do a home inspection prior to their clients taking possession of the home to ensure that there won't be any surprises when their clients move in.

As I always do, I filled the jet tub in the master ensuite bathroom and turned it on. Then I proceeded to inspect under and around the tub through the access panel. I discovered a leak and informed the client and the builder. 

---

The severity of the leak was determined using the thermal infrared imaging camera as water traveled through various areas of the ceilings and walls.

---

Needless to say, the client was ecstatic with our inspection and diligently followed me around for the remainder of the inspection - that is what we prefer.  And actually, the builder was pleased that this was discovered BEFORE they moved in so that he can make the necessary repairs.  I wouldn't want to be this builder's plumber right now though because I'd say there's probably about $10,000 worth of damage.

In my 25+ years of doing home inspections, I have many other accounts to tell but I remember one time, discovering windows in a master bedroom of a brand new home that didn't open! The builder must have intentionally distracted the municipal inspector during that final walk-through. Anyway, YES, it is always a good idea to have a home inspection performed no matter the age of the house.