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Protect your investment from day one—ensure your new home is built right.
New Construction Inspection
Many buyers assume that a brand-new home means a flawless build but that’s rarely the case. Even new construction can have hidden defects or installation errors that become expensive problems if left unchecked. Our New Construction (Phased) Inspections are designed to catch those issues early, helping you protect your investment and enjoy peace of mind before move-in day.
Unlike a standard home inspection, which takes place after construction is complete, a phased inspection allows us to examine your home at critical stages of the build, such as the foundation, framing and final walkthrough. This process gives you valuable insight into the home’s structure, systems, and overall workmanship before everything is sealed behind drywall and finishes.
Don’t assume “new” means “perfect.”
Ensure your new home is built to standard from the ground up.
Schedule Your New Construction Inspection Today and build with confidence.
Why should I get Phased Construction Inspections? I have a Florida licensed contractor.
Your builder’s or general contractor’s key role is to manage the construction site and build progress. They generally have good knowledge and experience with all aspects of residential construction; however, they have a lot to oversee and sometimes issues slip through the cracks only to be discovered long after you move in. Some reasons to consider an independent inspector include:
Builders typically sub-contract most of the construction work. If the subcontractor overlooks an item, it may go unnoticed and/or unresolved unless the builder identifies and follows up on the issue.
Most builders do not perform thorough in-depth inspections and rely primarily on the county and municipal building inspectors for quality control. However, due to high workloads, city and county inspectors often perform limited, scope-specific evaluations rather than comprehensive inspections.
Some builders offer “inspections” for buyers, but these are generally orientation walk-throughs focusing on aesthetics and customizations you request—not the construction process or quality.
Some builders restrict or discourage third-party, independent inspections during construction. Although they are within their rights as property owners, a builder’s unwillingness to permit independent evaluation should be considered a potential concern. In such cases, it is advisable to arrange for a professional inspection immediately after taking ownership of your home and a follow-up 11-month warranty inspection.
Important Things to Consider and Plan Ahead
Most builders will require advance notice that you are planning to request phased inspections and will possibly require it to be in your contract with them up front. Some builders may limit you to only specific phases like the final inspection. It’s imperative to talk with your builder as early on as possible to ensure proper expectations and smooth scheduling.
Builders also require home inspection companies to carry higher levels of errors and omissions insurance, general liability insurance, and auto insurance before they are allowed onsite. Top Tier Inspectors, LLC carries all the necessary insurance with the required coverage so we can serve you.
Even though the home is brand new, it’s important to have a set of eyes and ears looking out for your best interests. That’s where we come in.
What Your Phased Inspection Includes
PHASE
1
Pre-Foundation
Before the concrete foundation is poured, we examine the site including the home’s electrical grounding, plumbing, rough grading, footing excavation, concrete reinforcement, moisture barrier and vegetation/debris that may impact the foundation or structure.
PHASE
2
Pre-Drywall
This phase is completed after the rough framing has been installed along with the insulation, plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems. The pre-drywall phase allows us to discover potential issues and safety concerns before they are “hidden” behind the drywall.
PHASE
3
Pre-Closing - Final
This phase is usually performed prior to your final walkthrough with the builder and is similar to a comprehensive residential home inspection. We inspect the home in its entirety and test the major systems including the electrical, plumbing and HVAC to ensure they work properly.
PHASE
4
Pre-Warranty Expiration
Under Florida law, construction companies are responsible for their work for one year after closing. Some builders will offer an additional 1-2 year warranty covering specific items. With a warranty inspection we will visit around month 10 or 11 and complete a comprehensive inspection. If we find any defects you can ask the builder to address them before the warranty expires.
At Top Tier Inspectors LLC, we have seen firsthand the time, money and effort that goes into fixing issues that could have and should have been prevented. We make it our priority to protect our customer’s interests to the best of our ability.