You purchased a new home, and have enjoyed living there for almost a year. No issues have come up, and for the most part, and nothing needs repair. Is it really necessary to pay for a home inspection? Doesn’t the builder do a walkthrough with me and offer to fix anything we find?
More than likely, this has been the biggest purchase of your life, and making sure that your investment is up to the high quality standards the builder promised is important. Yes, the builder will do a 12 month walk through, but you will be responsible to find any issues or problems that need attention. Why not take the worry off yourself, and bring in the professionals to make sure your house is good for another 100 years.
The cost of the home inspection is minimal, compared to some repair costs that could come up quickly once the builder warranty ends. Here are a couple examples:
Water Heater Replacement – While water heaters are said to last around 10 years in Arizona, it is possible that you will need to replace it much quicker than that. The cost to replace a standard 40 gallon electric water heater is around $1200. Cost of a home inspection is around $400. That could end up saving you over $800.
Wrong HVAC Fuses – This is not a common issue, especially on a new home. However, if the HVAC company used the wrong size fuses on the disconnect, the wiring is at risk of overheating, causing an electric short, or worse, a fire. This is not only a costly issue, but also a dangerous situation.
Roof Truss Repair – You are probably thinking, does this really happen? Why would the builder install a truss that is damaged? Honestly, it happens more than you would think. This is an issue that involves a structural engineer, or worse, a roof replacement. Making sure that the builder is responsible for the fix could save you thousands!!
Those are just a few examples of some of the items we have come across in our inspections. It is important that you are prepared with a list of items that need repair or replacement when the builder schedules the 12 month warranty walkthrough. Don’t get caught off guard and schedule a home inspection with a trusted company that will provide you a full report with any items needed service.