New Construction Inspection

The following is a partial list of supplemental inspection services that we offer for a building that is under construction:

Plan review: Plans will be used to determine that the building is constructed as indicated by the drawings.

 

Foundation inspection: This inspection would include observations of the footing excavations, steel / bolt / hold-down placement, underground plumbing (or other underground mechanical present) and foundation / slab. Rough grading around the building and other site related items present during this visit will be evaluated. This inspection would need to be scheduled within the week prior to pouring the foundation (at least two days before).

Rough framing / mechanical inspection: Rough framing includes observations of the framing for size of members, steel connectors, fastening, shear wall nailing, anchor bolt and hold-downs (as shown on the plans, no engineering is performed by this company). Mechanical, including air-conditioning, furnace, ductwork, filters, registers, exhaust fans present (furnace may not be present / will not function till the final inspection). Rough plumbing including water supply piping, drain waste and vent piping, fuel gas piping, observations for proper slope of waste pipe and water pipe attachment and material separation from wood / metal. Rough electrical, including cabling / conduit, devices, boxes and fittings. This inspection needs to be scheduled within the week prior to installing insulation (at least two days before).

Roofing / waterproofing: This inspection includes the underlayment, flashings, headlap, nailing and general installation of roofing materials. This inspection is normally inspected during the rough framing / mechanical visit and we will look at the underlayment and flashings at that time. The rest of the roof will be inspected during the final inspection site visit. Another site visit can be arranged if the roof is not ready during the rough framing inspection.

Stucco / siding inspection: This inspection includes observations of building paper for proper lap / placement, window / door flashing, weep screed and transition flashing between dissimilar materials. This inspection needs to be scheduled the week prior starting the stucco scratch coat (at least two days before), for a three coat stucco system. For wood siding or other exterior systems, scheduling would be on an “as-needed” basis depending on the type of material.

Insulation inspection: This inspection includes observations of proper coverage and clearance for insulation and caulking / foam in the walls, around doors / windows and in the ceiling / roof. This inspection would need to be scheduled one or two days before the installation of interior drywall.

Drywall inspection: This inspection includes observations for the proper placement and nailing of the interior drywall. This inspection needs to be scheduled one or two days before the start of the drywall taping. We propose to use an NCR report delivered on site for this inspection.

Final inspection: This inspection includes observations and operation of the building and its major systems as outlined in the California Real Estate Inspection (CREIA) standard of practice (available on request). Our inspection process and report meets (or exceeds) these standards in ways designed to reveal the complete condition of your building in a fair, balanced and accurate way. All utilities must be on for this inspection to be completed and the furnace / air conditioning system must be started up by the AC contractor prior to this inspection. This inspection (when combined with the others noted above) will give you the information you desire about the construction of your new building. This inspection should be scheduled before you close escrow, however we realize that this depends on the builder having the building ready and allowing us to have access, so this inspection is sometimes done after you close escrow. If this happens you can accept the building “pending the inspection report from an independent inspection company”.

One-year warrantee inspection: This inspection is performed to document the condition of your home prior to the end of the builder’s one-year warrantee. The inspection process is identical to the final inspection using the same reporting process. This inspection should be scheduled around ten to eleven months after close of escrow on your new home.