We understand you want your new home to be free of issues and in good working condition.

Don't let builder defects impact your dream house.

Based on the thousands of inspections we have completed, below is a list of the top 10 most common issues found at new construction homes that were corrected before the new owners moved in.

(Many of which the builder is unaware of)
1. Missing insulation in portions of attic and other areas.
2. Incorrectly wired electrical outlets.
3. Torn or crushed ductwork in attic.
4. Missing or incorrectly installed roof straps for roof to wall attachments.
5. Slipped or cracked roof tiles.
6. Improper venting of home.
7. Dryer vent improperly terminated.
8. Broken window locks and springs.
9. Slab lipage, where the slab extends beyond the exterior wall leading to moisture intrusion into the home.
​10. Garage door safety function not working properly.

Make sure hidden building defects are caught and corrected so when you move in all you need to worry about is where to put the couch.

At Hope Home Inspections we break the new construction process into two separate inspection periods. 

Pre-Dry Wall Inspection

This inspection is done just prior to the drywall being installed, allowing the inspector to inspect items that are concealed or difficult to access once the Sheetrock is in place.

  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • Ductwork
  •  Roof straps, etc

At this phase it is much easier to fix a problem than it is after the home is completed.

Final Walk Through Inspection

This is done once the home is fully constructed, just prior to your closing.  This is a standard full home inspection.  All the major components of the home are inspected.

  • Roof
  • Plumbing
  • Electrical
  •  HVAC
  •  Appliances, etc 
  •  and major cosmetic issues

Why you need an inspection on a new home

 Home inspections aren’t just for old houses or used houses.  It's best for home buyers to get the home inspected during the construction process and take care of defects before they become costly problems with significant consequences.

Most builders are hard working and honest and are trying to deliver a good valued product in a reasonable time. Unfortunately in most cases the builder is not the one actually building the home.  A builder may use 10-20 subcontractors on one house, or more if you include specialists installing security systems, entertainment systems, etc. The sheer number of participants in the home building process can lead to miscommunication or lack of communication. Many times subcontractors working on one system of the house inadvertently harm another system. Almost all  builders are relying on their sub-contractors and often the sub-contractor who gets the job was the low bidder. So the reality is THE LOW BIDDER IS BUILDING YOUR HOUSE. 

There is a building boom going on in our area.  Here in the Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton area new home construction is going strong, but at what cost. With a high demand for new homes, builders are building homes in record time. What this means for you is that the people building your house are being pushed to go fast and cut corners.

We have seen some construction nightmares, some the county inspectors didn't find or detect. So hire a professional home inspector to inspect your home before it's complete.  Have a professional see behind the walls before the drywall goes up and before it's too late.