The Importance of Home Inspections

One thing you may want to consider before moving into a new home is to hire the services of a third-party inspector.  The purpose of an inspector is to come into the home for a few hours and stress it out.  What I mean by that is make sure to the best of their ability the home is safe, to code and livable.  The reports can get fairly detailed and the best ones that I have seen actually have pictures of the items that require correction and have inserted arrows pointing to the alleged defect.  They should normally cover things like framing, electrical, plumbing, insulation, appliances, HVAC and some cosmetic features.  When you get your report, it should be clear and legible, and refer to the specific code defection by chapter and verse.  Most builders will use this as a guide to "punch out" the house, or correct the items once agreed upon by the home owner and inspector.  It is an excellent resource for homeowners who may not know the latest codes and gives peace of mind before moving in.  As a builder, we are not at liberty to suggest an inspector because it could be construed as collusion.  So the best way is to ask around, consult the phone book or ask for a referral from a trusted real estate agent, title company or friend.  There is also a list of qualified inspectors at the Texas Residential Construction Commission website.