Building codes are set nationwide and may vary from location to location due to climate or other geographical factors. If you’re in the market for a new house, consider if the construction is compliant with your state’s local building codes. The process of checking compliance can be quick and easy when you know what to look for, but it can also take some time and effort if you don’t know where to start.
Newly built homes are inspected at several stages by city inspectors to make sure that they are up to code. If the home does not pass these inspections, it will not be deemed habitable until corrections are made and it does.
Even if a home is built to meet the national building codes, that doesn’t mean it will be up to the standards of your local community. For example, in some areas, homes are required to have higher insulation values or thicker walls to protect against colder weather. If you’re looking at a newly constructed home in a warmer climate, it may not meet the insulation standards of your area.
Here are some tips on how to make sure your new home will pass inspection.
Check if the house is up to code
You can check if a house is up to code by inspecting the permits and drawings for the construction. In addition, you should also make sure that contractors were licensed or registered to work on your house. You can do this by checking with the local permit office.
If it’s not, there are some things you can do
If the construction is up to code, but just needs a few finishing touches, you can have a contractor come in and finish off those touches, or ask the builder to handle those for you. If the construction doesn’t have permits or plans filed with the appropriate office, this is a good indication that it may not meet the minimum requirements. In cases like these, you’ll need to invest some time and effort into checking to make sure it’s compliant with building codes.
Hire a licensed home inspector
While your home will be inspected by the local city or county at different stages, the best thing to do for your own peace of mind is to hire a licensed home inspector. A licensed inspector has both the knowledge and experience in ensuring that your house meets all building codes. We can help you confirm that the house is up to code, and what needs to be done.
Licensed home inspectors, such as our group here at Semper Fi Home Inspections, keep abreast of local building codes for all of the areas where we operate. We perform home inspections in Fort Worth and in Dallas, plus all of the smaller communities throughout the DFW Metroplex. This means that we continually educate ourselves about local building codes to make sure that your inspection is thorough and as accurate as possible to help bring you peace of mind in your new home purchase.
Ask the builder for a copy of the Certificate of Occupancy (CO)
This document will show that the home has been approved by the local building authority. You can use it to get your local building department to sign off, and verify that the work has been completed in compliance with building codes. A CO is not a guarantee that the construction meets all of the building codes; but it is still an important document that can help you check if a house has passed inspection.
When hiring a home inspector, make sure they are approved by the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) or other such associations. You can also ask them if they have any professional training, and what type of equipment they use when inspecting your house.
Buying a new home can be an exciting time in your life. However, it is important to ensure that the construction meets local building codes before you sign on the dotted line and take ownership of this property. You should also verify that all necessary permits have been filed with appropriate offices for review. If not, there are some things you can do-from hiring a licensed home inspector or contractor-to make sure your newly purchased house will pass inspection once completed. All of these tips should help you get started thinking about how to make sure your new purchase passes inspection without any hassles! The last thing anyone wants is to find out their new dream home doesn’t meet requirements after they’ve already signed off on the sale and taken possession of the property.
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