There is a lot of confusion and misinformation about what it means to get a phase inspection done on your new construction home.
The purpose of the phase inspection is to ensure that all requirements and specifications have been met, from ensuring proper installation of electrical wiring, plumbing fixtures, heating and air conditioning systems, insulation around pipes etc. Often times these inspections are required by lenders or government agencies due to the size or cost of the project in question. In this article we will explore some common issues found during a phase inspection for new construction homes.
Licensed home inspectors are also aware of local building codes. Our Dallas/Fort Worth area home inspectors stay up-to-date on the DFW building codes and check that items are up to code during your phase inspection.
What is a phase inspection
A phase inspection is an inspection that is done during the construction of a new home. The purpose of the inspection is to ensure that all requirements and specifications have been met. Common issues found during a phase inspection include: improperly installed electrical wiring, improper installation of plumbing fixtures, improper installation of heating and air conditioning systems, improper insulation around pipes, improper installation of downspouts for gutters etc.
Why do lenders require a phase inspection
There are a few reasons why lenders might require a phase inspection for a new construction home. One reason might be due to the size or cost of the project in question. Lenders may also request a phase inspection in order to ensure that all requirements and specifications have been met. By doing a phase inspection, lenders can avoid potential problems down the road that could result in costly repairs or even foreclosure.
How to prepare for the phase inspection
Report all necessary information from the home inspector. This includes your contact information, should you want to speak with them after inspection, as well as other documentation from your lender or contractor that will be needed.
The inspector will go through the entire home and inspect all aspects of the construction. They will be looking for issues such as: improperly installed wiring, plumbing fixtures, heating and air conditioning systems, insulation around pipes etc. In some cases, they may also need to access crawlspaces or roof areas.
The most common issues found during the phase inspection of new construction homes
Improperly installed electrical wiring
One of the most common issues found during a phase inspection of a new construction home is improperly installed electrical wiring. Improperly installed electrical wiring can be very dangerous and can often lead to fires. In some cases, it can also cause health problems due to the exposure to hazardous materials.
There are a few things that you can do to help avoid having improperly installed electrical wiring in your new construction home. One is to make sure that you hire a qualified and licensed electrician to do the installation. You should also check the references and reviews of any electrician that you are considering hiring.
It is also important to inspect the work once it has been completed. Make sure that all wiring is properly covered and sealed, and that there are no exposed wires.
Improper installation of plumbing fixtures
Another common issue found during a phase inspection of a new construction home is improper installation of plumbing fixtures. Often times, the fixtures will not be properly sealed and this can lead to water leakage and damage to the home. It can also lead to the growth of mold and other hazardous bacteria.
There are a few things that you can do to help avoid having improperly installed plumbing fixtures in your new construction home. One is to make sure that you hire a qualified and licensed plumber to do the installation. You should also check the references and reviews of any plumber that you are considering hiring.
It is also important to inspect the work once it has been completed. Make sure that all plumbing fixtures are properly sealed and that there are no leaks.
Improper installation of heating and air conditioning systems
Another common issue found during a phase inspection of a new construction home is improper installation of heating and air conditioning systems. Often times, the systems will not be properly installed and this can lead to a number of problems, such as poor air quality, high energy bills, and even damage to the home.
There are a few things that you can do to help avoid having improperly installed heating and air conditioning systems in your new construction home. One is to make sure that you hire a qualified and licensed HVAC contractor to do the installation. You should also check the references and reviews of any HVAC contractor that you are considering hiring.
It is also important to inspect the work once it has been completed. Make sure that all heating and air conditioning systems are properly installed and that there are no leaks or other problems.
Improper insulation around pipes
Another common issue found during a phase inspection of a new construction home is improper insulation around pipes. Often times, the insulation will not be properly installed and this can lead to a number of problems, such as water leakage, damage to the home, and even hazardous bacteria growth.
There are a few things that you can do to help avoid having improperly installed insulation around pipes in your new construction home. One is to make sure that you hire a qualified and licensed contractor to do the installation. You should also check the references and reviews of any contractor that you are considering hiring.
It is also important to inspect the work once it has been completed. Make sure that all insulation is properly installed and that there are no gaps or other problems.
Improper installation of downspouts for gutters
Another common issue found during a phase inspection of a new construction home is improper installation of downspouts for gutters. Often times, the downspouts will not be properly installed and this can lead to water leakage and damage to the home.
There are a few things that you can do to help avoid having improperly installed downspouts for gutters in your new construction home. One is to make sure that you hire a qualified and licensed contractor to do the installation. You should also check the references and reviews of any contractor that you are considering hiring.
It is also important to inspect the work once it has been completed. Make sure that all downspouts are properly installed and that there are no leaks or other problems.
Roofing issues found during a phase inspection
Another common issue found during a phase inspection of a new construction home is roofing issues. Often times, the roofing will not be properly installed and this can lead to water leakage and damage to the home.
There are a few things that you can do to help avoid having improperly installed roofing in your new construction home. One is to make sure that you hire a qualified and licensed contractor to do the installation. You should also check the references and reviews of any contractor that you are considering hiring.
It is also important to inspect the work once it has been completed. Make sure that all roofing is properly installed and that there are no leaks or other problems.
Homeowners insurance may not cover damages from these issues
One thing to keep in mind is that most homeowners insurance policies will not cover damages that are caused by improperly installed electrical wiring, plumbing fixtures, heating and air conditioning systems, or insulation around pipes. So if you do experience any problems with these things, you may have to pay for the repairs out of pocket.
It is important to be aware of these issues before you move into a new construction home or any other type of home. That way, if the phase inspection does find some problems, you can ask your contractor to fix them before it is too late.
In this blog post, we have detailed the most common issues found during a phase inspection of new construction homes. Usually these problems are not evident until after moving in and discovering them for yourself! It is important to be aware of these potential home defects before you move into any type of residence or purchase a property that has been newly constructed. These issues can lead to water leakage, damage to your home, hazardous bacteria growth etc., so it’s best to know about them beforehand rather than later on when they may become too difficult or expensive to fix without help from a qualified contractor.
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