Inspection Obsession...What's With All These Inspections?

During the construction of a new home, a professional builder is responsible for juggling a variety of inspections to ensure that a new home matches our client's vision, meets agreed upon quality standards, is on schedule and complies with applicable building codes.

Customer Walk-Throughs. In addition to the final client walk-through before the close of escrow, we also schedule walk-throughs with our homebuyers during construction. These tours provide both parties with an opportunity to discuss the progress of the home in a very tangible way. As a result, homeowners feel more connected to the construction of their home and more confident in our abilities.

Client inspections breed confidence about a home's value because they can see how their home was built and what it contains. We believe it better prepares them to take care of their home and provides a comfortable platform for our clients to communicate any concerns to us.

Government Inspections. Building permits are required for every new home built today. A permit is issued only after the local building department makes sure that the plans meet the building codes for a variety of issues, including occupant health, safety, and in some cases, energy efficiency.

At certain points during the construction process -- for instance, once the structural frame has been completed -- a call is made to schedule an inspection with the building department. The building inspector comes to the house and meets with the builder's site superintendent. Together, they walk through the project to confirm that the new section of the home has been constructed according to the previously approved plans and that all work complies with the building codes.

Most often the work passes muster and the inspector signs the building permit to signify its compliance. When the house is finished, the inspector's final approval prompts a Certificate of Occupancy (or CO) that allows the homebuyer to close escrow and move into his or her new home.

Internal Inspections. In addition to the necessary, on-site inspections by the building department, we often conduct inspections of our own during construction, based on standards and expectations we've established as a company.

The most important of these internal inspections happens just before our buyers move into their new home. At that time, members of our staff tour the house to make sure systems and products (such as the furnace or dishwasher) are working properly and that there are no missing or misaligned finishes (such as switchplates or door casings). That process leads to the creation of a to-do list, often called a punch list. Items on the punch list are typically satisfied before the homeowners formally tour the house with the builder. This is the last step prior to the homeowners occupying their new home.

We welcome inspections of all kinds for several reasons. First, we hate surprises. We want to eliminate any issues or missing pieces prior to the close of escrow. Also, we want to spend time with our clients to demonstrate and explain the home's various systems, point out key features, and educate them about the proper maintenance of their new house. Finally, we make these efforts so that our buyers are satisfied that we've delivered what we promised and met or exceeded their expectations.