New home inspection: What to look for. - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Jayems · 02-18-2010, 11:17 PM

Howdy friendos.

Taking possession of my new home in 3 weeks. We've been informed that we're not allowed to bring anyone else into the home while we do our inspection 1 week prior to possession. I've been perusing the interwebz looking for checklists and the likes for what to look for, but thought I'd tap into the CP knowledge base of what to do and what not to. This is my first home, so I'm a big rookie in the sense.

I've been told to make sure you flush the toilets, check all the taps for hot & cold, paint chips, loose floor boards... those sorts of obvious things, but is there more? Should I seriously be on my hands and knees looking at every tile on my floor?

Also, during construction, I noticed a considerable amount of sawdust accumulating in our uncovered ducts. They've had the furnace running since, but I'm concerned about dust etc. Surely they figure that out?

Thanks in advance.

JustAnotherGuy · 02-18-2010, 11:24 PM

I am not an expert but what kind of absurdity is that? You can't have somebody else with you for the home inspection. What are they trying to hide?

CMPunk · 02-18-2010, 11:28 PM

Ya, something sounds odd here

Jayems · 02-18-2010, 11:49 PM

As far as i know, that's common practice.

CokeMachineGlow · 02-18-2010, 11:59 PM

maybe it has somethign to do with liability? id call someone.

EVERLAST · 02-19-2010, 02:20 AM

I've been told to make sure you flush the toilets, check all the taps for hot & cold, paint chips, loose floor boards... those sorts of obvious things, but is there more? Should I seriously be on my hands and knees looking at every tile on my floor?

Also, during construction, I noticed a considerable amount of sawdust accumulating in our uncovered ducts. They've had the furnace running since, but I'm concerned about dust etc. Surely they figure that out?
Thanks in advance.

Who is your builder??

Any and all deficiencies will be covered under your new home warranty and or covered under a provision through your builder that you paid extra for if offered? Ask your site super and or home rep.
If they dont have answers call the owner of your builder for answers.

As for the ducts and furnace ,,,,,if they are a reputable builder they will prior to possession clean and service furnace and ducts. This cost of course will likely be built into the cost of your home at a small discounted rate. That is of course if they have a cleaning program in place .....and all reputable builders do as this is what I do for a living for over 50 builders in Calgary and surrounding area.

I_am_Beast · 02-19-2010, 04:10 AM

The guy doing the walk through will try and run everything.... he's done it a a million times..... he'll just blurry everything... btw odds are he's already been through it once before you even get there.

Don't let him do anything, he wants to show you the water is hot, you turn it on..... if he insists then wait till he's finished and then do it till your satisfied.

pull off the vents where they just lay on carpet and such and look in.... I found rolls of tape, pieces of wood....ect had them have the ducts cleaned.....

if you had any extra's which you paid for, bring that list.... make sure they are done. It was a long time since you picked everything..he will have a list.... so can you. ( would have missed that my tile pattern I paid extra for wasn't done if not for my list )

Open every window, if they are the reversable windows for cleaning make sure each work.... check the screens make sure they aren't damaged.

Same with all the doors, open.....close them make sure they latch completely... doorbell work?

Surge protection on the breaker panel for the kitchen, bring a small night light to test plugs for power.

open up the bottom kitchen cabnets and look up, make sure your counter isn't cracked ( dudes like to stand of them )

Here is your best line " This is not what I payed for " pull that puppy out and watch his face.....this contract you signed can work both ways. Wanna really freak him out, bring a camera and document everything that isn't right. ( I never did that but it can come in handy, they will say we can't find anything wrong ) He will mark anything wrong with a piece of tape.....a photo on a bad area will remind you of where to look after. Keep inmind of the 5 foot rule..you should be 5 feet away when looking, being completely picky will not make this a pleasant time.

I've been through a few of these, hell even one almost game to blows, the guy was such as ass to my girlfriend she was in tears...called her stupid, that it doesn't matter.... I told him to leave now and call his boss or I will $%^& you up. Now not to freak you out, but that was a bad example.... Mostly these go very smoothly. ( dude was fired BTW )

I'm sure i've fogot some stuff, i'll add to the list if anything pops into my head.

Nufy · 02-19-2010, 08:06 AM

Make sure the microwave works.....

GoinAllTheWay · 02-19-2010, 10:05 AM

Solid advice, I_am_Beast. Think I'll save that info somewhere, I'm gonna need it one day!

Nufy · 02-19-2010, 10:06 AM

My wife used to do new home turn overs for Trico and CedarGlen.

I'll see if she has any suggestions....

ken0042 · 02-19-2010, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I_am_Beast

Surge protection on the breaker panel for the kitchen, bring a small night light to test plugs for power.

All good things, but I would pick up one of these guys instead of the night light:
GFI Receptacle Tester

Not only will it tell you if it's working, it will also tell you some wiring issues like hot-neutral reversed.

Netskot · 02-19-2010, 10:40 AM

OP, Congratulations on your first house!

I am Beast, thanks for that post, that was great.

I also have one in a month time and will print your post and bring it with me, lol.

Netskot · 02-19-2010, 10:42 AM

I used to work for Cardel years ago and I know for a fact that they clean the dust our of the vents 3, 4 days prior to possesion.

I'm sure other builders are the same.

Netskot · 02-19-2010, 10:46 AM

To add, make sure your bathrub and/or shower isn't cracked. The trades, while working, treat the tub as a temporary garbage bin and throw stuff in there all the time. It's a pain in the ass to fix/replace yourself afterwards.

Also make sure your windows aren't scratched from the window cleaners. After the painters spray the frames, it gets on the windows and has to be scraped which can lead to scratches.

Dentoman · 02-19-2010, 10:49 AM

If they won't let you bring your own inspector with you at the walk through, then bring one in prior to your 1 year anniversary of possesion. Document everything they say at that time and present that to them with your 1 year deficiency list.

Jayems · 02-19-2010, 10:52 AM

Yeah, I have some buddies who can come in and look after. My concern is that if I don't catch it right away, they'll just say: 'You signed off. Tough titties."

Dentoman · 02-19-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayems

Yeah, I have some buddies who can come in and look after. My concern is that if I don't catch it right away, they'll just say: 'You signed off. Tough titties."

You should have other opportunities to notice deficiencies ... should not just be a one time thing. Some things show up later. Only thing I can think of that they would say that, would be on paint and trim issues ... things that you could damage upon moving in.

stampsx2 · 02-19-2010, 02:08 PM

The Alberta new home warranty site gives you a list of all the things you should be looking for. The list is long but I recommend going through it and marking down all the things that are only under warranty at the time of possession.

Warped shingles, scratched walls, marks in baseboard, stains on counter, slivers in handrail etc....

The page takes a minute to open but worth the wait
http://www.anhwp.com/hbTemplates/Wor...eTemplate.aspx