Are builders allowed to deny 3rd party inspections?

Good afternoon,

I am in the process of becoming certified, but i actually am also in the process of buying our own new build. We were trying to set up a time to have the new build inspected, and were just told by our builder that they are not allwoing 3rd party inspections. Is this normal, or even legal? We are spending nearly half a million dollars, i want to make sure everything is correct. We are located in Colorado Springs CO. Any and all advise is welcome. Thank you!

They can try. What is in your contract? is there a clause that says you cannot retain your own inspector? Remember, even if they do allow it, your inspector cannot force the builder to fix anything.

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Is this home being built for you specifically, or is it part of a community and you are purchasing one of them when built?
What did your contract with the builder say regarding inspections?
Don’t know? Go dig out your copy and read every single line. If it conflicts with what the builder is telling you, get your attorney involved!

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It’s only “normal” when builders are afraid of their own quality of work. Phase and draw inspections are commonly done by third parties. Why should it be different? I understand insurance “requirements”, but denying third party inspections raises red flags.

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Welcome to our forum, Jesse!..enjoy participating. :smiley:

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Builders use their own contracts in most cases which are very much heavy handed in their favor.

Before signing on the dotted line of a half million dollar home, make damn sure you know what you are signing.

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It sounds like you are considering an already built home. The builder owns it.

Does your purchase agreement specify that you can have it inspected by the inspector of your choice?

Is your agent helping you through this?

In this market (seller’s), the owner is in the driver’s seat unless you have a clause like I said and bolded above…at least around here.

Good luck!

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The home was not already built. We have been under contract for over a year now while it is being built. I dont see anything specifically saying we can use an inspector of our choice in the contract. And yes our Real Estate Agent is helping us as well.

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Contract or not, it’s their property and they can control who has access to it.

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I do these here in NJ on a regular basis. Most builders don’t have a problem. One large developer required me to carry $2,000,000 insurance. Other than that appoints are required.

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Depends on the builder, so who is the builder?

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Some builders will go to great lengths to prevent inspectors from being on-site.

Toll Brothers in particular.

What are they so scared of?

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It all comes down to what you signed and agreed to… have you read that? Of course, a contract can’t contradict law so that may be the root of your question but before you signed the contract would have been the right time to start that war… not this far down the road.

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I agree with Dominic. :man_shrugging:

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Covington Homes

They can, but it’s rare. Tough to earn client trust that way. The builder owns the home until closing, so they can decide who can and cannot enter the home.

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Have it inspected when you take ownership, then you should have a one-year builders’ warranty to fix what needs fixing if anything?

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MUCH easier to get a builder’s attention BEFORE they get paid. I’ve watched this with big builders like Horton and Lennar. The day you close you go from important to far back burner. It’s literally a different wing of the company that you deal with and the response time is terrible in most cases.

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How do draw Inspectors find work ?

Usually through the lending banks providing the construction loan. Some banks have in house inspectors and others sub out the work. It’s best to study up on what the banks require for inspections. It’s usually verifying that certain work has been completed prior to a the “draw” for the work being released.