When buying a brand-new home, an inspection can feel like a waste of time. After all, why should you spend hundreds of dollars to inspect a house that has never been lived in? While that line of thinking is reasonable, it’s better to be safe than sorry. New builds can have problems just like older homes.
1. Identify Hidden Issues
Even new builds can be plagued by certain issues. Whether the root cause was shoddy workmanship, subpar materials or plain forgetfulness, you could end up with a subpar structure. Depending on the underlying issue, anything from your health to your home’s future marketability could be affected.
Don’t assume whatever is behind the walls looks as good as the picturesque facade. The plumbing, electrical, insulation and ventilation could be bad. For reference, an estimated 85% of home inspections reveal electrical issues, while 75% uncover plumbing defects. Almost 20% of homes have heating and cooling trouble.
Isn’t the point of buying new to avoid such problems? According to a survey from the National Association of Realtors, 41% of new-home buyers purchased a newly built house to avoid renovations or plumbing and electrical trouble. It was the respondents’ No. 1 reason. An expert can help you identify these defects before funds change hands.
2. Save Money on Utilities
Everything from a poorly insulated attic to an unsealed chimney can lower your house’s energy efficiency, raising your utility bills. Even if you know what to look for, minor faults can go unnoticed for months or years.
If an expert points out power-wasting features and inefficient systems before you move in, you can save money. For instance, sealing window and door leaks saves you 10% to 15% of your total energy costs. It also helps you maintain a comfortable temperature year-round.
3. Gain Bargaining Power
Sometimes, minor defects are a good thing. Imagine a professional finds the house is poorly insulated or there are visible gaps around the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system’s vents. You may be able to negotiate to bring down the price. They may be willing to lower their asking price because they’re already well into the homebuying process with you.
4. Save Money on Repairs
Let’s say you skip the inspection. Weeks later, you notice diagonal cracks in your garage floor. Then, you see some appearing above interior doorways. These signs point to a foundation issue, and repairs range from $2,176 to $7,833 in the United States. Depending on the issue’s severity and your home’s size, you could be looking at a five-figure bill.
You probably haven’t budgeted much for repairs because you figured you wouldn’t need to when buying a new build. However, a single major defect could set you back tens of thousands of dollars. What if multiple things are wrong?
Even if you spend hundreds of dollars hiring an inspector — it costs $341 on average in the U.S. — you can still save if you catch potentially costly construction mistakes. If you have a clause in your contract requiring the seller to make all necessary repairs and adjustments before the sale is finalized, you can get everything settled ahead of your move-in date.
5. Find Marketability Issues
Major construction defects will have signs, including drafts, cracks and leaks. However, you might not realize those everyday annoyances stem from a shifting foundation or sloped yard. Say those problems go virtually unnoticed until you move out. When the buyers’ inspector finds them, you risk losing money on the sale. If significant repairs are needed, people won’t want to pay top dollar like you did.
At that point, faults that date back to the original construction are your responsibility. Once money exchanges hands and so much time passes, you won’t be able to request fixes from the builder. An inspection can save you this potential headache.
6. Appease Your Lender
You may have to hire an inspector to secure a loan. Mortgage lenders sometimes require home inspections to ensure the property doesn’t have the potential to fall below its appraised value. It can also be an essential part of securing homeowners insurance. This practice is not industry standard, but it isn’t rare, either.
7. Raise the Resale Value
An inspection differs from an appraisal, which determines your property’s market value. Instead, it considers the condition of the house to pinpoint its actual worth, which can help you when you go to sell.
New builds are often priced as high as the market allows because they’ve never been lived in and show no signs of wear and tear. In 2024, new-build properties sold for around $54,000 more than older homes. While property is an appreciating asset, increasing in value over time, you may technically lose value.
You might only be able to get top dollar if you hire a professional to inspect the property before you move in. This allows you to make up for the value lost due to the property’s condition.
Any faults the inspector finds — big or small — might eat into the property’s future marketability. If you know what needs fixing at move-in, you can calculate the return on investment for any necessary changes. This way, you strategically raise your resale value.
8. Get an Easy Out
Buying a house is a huge, expensive commitment. If you reach the point of a home inspection, you’re likely already well into the process. The seller may have even accepted your offer. However, you still get one opportunity to walk away if you hire an expert.
If your offer includes an inspection contingency, you can cancel the sale at the last minute. According to the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, you have the right to back out without penalty if you are not satisfied with the results.
You Absolutely Need an Inspection on a Brand-New Home
Do you still believe hiring an inspector for a brand-new home is a waste of money? It can appease your lender and even help you negotiate. At the very least, it gives you one last opportunity to make sure the property is to your satisfaction before your move-in date. Spending a few hundred dollars on an inspection now can save you a lot on repairs later.
%20(1).png) | Rose Morrison |
