Originally Posted By: mlong This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I’m sure this topic has probably been addressed before, but when I try to do a search, i get a mind boggling number of posts that have the words, new or construction or inspections. Perhaps I’m not searching correctly.
Anyway, I was approached by a banker to do an inspection of a new home as it is being constructed. Even though this home would be built in an area that has building codes and would be inspected by county inspectors at various stages, he wanted another objective party to do addtional inspections. He mentioned that a friend of his did this when building his home and paid approximately $1,500 for the service.
Have any of you had experience with this type of inspection? I could use some guidance. At what stages would inspections be done? How many?
How to set fees? How to report?, etc.
My impression is that this type of inspection would have a different scope than the typical inspection done on an older/already built home. Besides the normal things covered under the typical home inspection, or code violations that should be picked up by the county inspector, this person gave me the impression that he would also like feedback on things that I would call "quality of construction" issues. Since, I, like many of you, have a fairly extensive home building background, I would be comfortable doing this and think that I could do this, but I would appreciate some guidance from anyone that may have actual experience with this.
Originally Posted By: bking This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I want to do these too but after much research am kind of worried about being responsible for the ever present screw ups that exist in almost all new homes.
I suggest a very custom and very limited agreement for what is expected and not expected of you or you could end up in a bind.
Things get damaged and changed on job sites and you have to be there every day to even come close to doing it right, I know, I contracted a house and was there every day and barely could keep up with the screwups and ignorance from every single sub except my framer and footer guy, they were the only good ones.
Just research this and learn what the banker really expects and get it in writing.
Originally Posted By: kfulton This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Mark,
Run, don’t walk, to the Inspection Depot, New Homes construction class in Jacksonville. The instructor is Jeff Hooper who is a walking encyclopedia of building codes. Fantastic class! Buy a 64 oz cup for some high octane coffee and be prepared to learn building codes. It is force fed to you in a short 30 hours. I just finished the course last month and felt it was very enlightening. I wouldn’t walk onto a job site unless you have a system of checks and procedures behind you. Blueprint reading will be required as well.
Greg Bell was in the same class, maybe he will add his .02 here. I noticed in one of his posts he was in the process of taking the ICC exams. This is something for you to consider as well.
Originally Posted By: gbell This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hello Mark,
Kelly gave you some good advice. Jeff Hooper is one of the best instructors I have ever taken a class from. What code is used in your area? I would strongly suggest that you get ICC certified before taking on new construction inspections. There is a great deal of knowledge needed before you start with new construction. While it is true that you are performing a quality control inspection you still need to know the code. You use the code to reference items that you have found during the course of your inspections. It is too easy to lose your creditability if you take on a task unprepared. As a home inspector one of our best assets is our creditability. If you need assistance feel free to contact me anytime.
HI Kelly
Nice to see you here again. Have you taken any ICC tests yet?
Originally Posted By: kfulton This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hello Greg,
Not yet. My goal for the end of next month is to take the residential inspector test. I just ordered the materials this week. I spent yesterday in a class with 20 Oil Furnace/Boiler service techs.
I sit here writing this in my full winter outfit heading out to a job in snow up to my waist. Tell me… what is it like to be warm and it short sleeves?
Originally Posted By: mlong This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Bruce, Kelly and Greg,
Thanks for the great advice on new construction inspections!! It's very much appreciated! It looks like I may have some studying to do yet before proceeding. And thanks Erby for the info on how to do better searches!
