#1 Florida Home Inspector!
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#1 Florida Home Inspector!
At By Builder Home Inspections, we understand the excitement and anticipation that comes with buying a new home. Leveraging over 20 years of experience in building new residential homes for some of the nation’s top builders, we bring unparalleled expertise to new home construction inspections. Our foundation, built on integrity, trust, honor, and dedication, ensures that we go beyond the ordinary to offer you peace of mind during the home buying process.
We cover every phase of your build to ensure perfection from the ground up. Our three-phase home inspection process includes the foundational Phase 1, critical internal systems assessment in Phase 2, and the detailed final walkthrough in Phase 3, guaranteeing all systems are installed correctly and functioning as intended for your peace of mind.
Despite the allure of a brand-new home, numerous unseen issues can lurk beneath the surface. Our new home construction inspections are designed to identify these issues before they become your problem. From structural defects to plumbing issues, our thorough inspection process aims to safeguard your investment, ensuring your new home is in perfect condition.
Acting as your advocate, we attend builder meetings, offering advisement and observation to ensure your home meets our high standards.
We provide expert recommendations, ensuring every detail aligns with your vision.
We begin with a thorough examination of the forms, which hold the concrete in place until it hardens. This includes checking for proper alignment, stability, and that they are level and square. An improperly constructed form can lead to uneven foundations, which are costly and difficult to correct once the concrete has set.
Our inspection also covers the reinforcement, typically steel bars (rebar) or mesh, to ensure it is correctly placed and secured within the forms. This reinforcement is crucial for the concrete’s tensile strength, helping to prevent cracks and structural failures in the future.
We check the vapor barrier, a crucial component that prevents moisture from seeping up through the ground into the concrete, which can lead to mold, mildew, and structural damage over time.
Before the concrete is poured, we conduct a comprehensive review of the site to ensure it is free from debris, water, and any other potential contaminants that could compromise the concrete’s integrity.
Our inspection includes a review of the concrete mix and delivery process to ensure that the concrete used meets all specifications for strength and durability. We also verify that environmental conditions are suitable for pouring and setting concrete, as temperature and humidity can significantly affect the outcome.
The foundation supports the weight of the entire house, and any flaws in its construction can lead to significant structural issues, including cracks, leaks, and even total structural failure. These problems can be exceedingly expensive to repair and may significantly impact the home’s value and safety.
The foundation of a home is its most critical structural component, serving as the base on which all other parts of the home are built. At By Builder Home Inspections, we understand the paramount importance of ensuring the foundation is flawlessly constructed. Our Phase 1 Foundation Inspection is meticulously designed to ensure structural integrity from the ground up, providing the assurance needed before the concrete is poured.
By conducting a detailed Phase 1 Foundation Inspection, By Builder Home Inspections ensures that the foundation meets all necessary codes and standards, and is prepared to support your home for many years to come. This inspection is not just a step in the construction process; it’s an investment in the future stability and safety of your home.
The Pre-Drywall Inspection, conducted by By Builder Home Inspections, is a critical step in the new home construction process, focusing on the home’s internal systems and structure before the drywall is installed. This phase provides a unique opportunity to inspect and ensure that all elements of the building’s frame, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems are correctly installed and meet all relevant codes and standards. Our detailed approach ensures the home’s long-term safety, functionality, and energy efficiency.
By Builder Home Inspections’ thorough and expert approach to the Pre-Drywall Inspection guarantees that the home’s internal systems are installed to the highest standards, contributing to the overall quality, safety, and comfort of the new home.
Integrity of the Frame: We meticulously examine the wooden or metal frame for proper installation, ensuring that beams, joists, and studs are securely fastened and aligned. This includes checking the quality of the lumber, the correct use of fastening hardware, and the absence of structural defects.
Safety Measures: Verification of the installation of GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets in areas exposed to moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens, to prevent electric shock.
Window and Door Framing: Special attention is given to the framing around windows and doors, critical for maintaining structural integrity and preventing future issues with opening, closing, or drafts.
Load-Bearing Walls and Supports: Verification that load-bearing walls and supports are correctly positioned and constructed to handle the weight they will bear, preventing future settling or cracking.
Wiring Safety: Inspection of the electrical wiring throughout the home to ensure that it is properly installed, secured, and protected. This includes checking that all wires are correctly routed and that junction boxes are accessible and properly mounted.
Circuit Breaker Compliance: We ensure the electrical panel is correctly installed and that all circuits are appropriately labeled, with the correct amperage breakers used for each circuit to prevent overload.
Pipe Installation: Examination of all plumbing pipes for correct installation, including proper slopes and supports, to ensure efficient water flow and prevent leaks.
Venting System: Checking the plumbing venting system for proper routing through the roof and ensuring it is free from obstructions, critical for the plumbing system's proper function and to prevent sewer gas from entering the home.
Water Heater and Fixtures: Inspection of the installation of the water heater and rough-in plumbing fixtures to ensure they are correctly positioned and ready for final fixture installation.
Ductwork Installation: Inspection of the HVAC ductwork to ensure it is properly sealed and insulated, preventing energy loss and ensuring efficient heating and cooling distribution throughout the home.
System Compatibility: Verification that the HVAC system is appropriately sized for the home and correctly installed, including the furnace, air conditioner, and any ventilation systems.
Thermostat Placement: Checking the placement of thermostats to ensure they are located away from drafts, direct sunlight, and other factors that could affect their accuracy.
The Pre-Drywall Inspection is essential for identifying and correcting any issues before they are covered by drywall, making them more difficult and expensive to address later. By ensuring that the structural frame, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems are correctly installed at this stage, we help prevent potential safety hazards, system failures, and inefficient energy use, saving homeowners time, money, and stress in the long run.
We conduct thorough testing of all home systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and appliances, to ensure they operate efficiently and correctly. This includes checking the heating and cooling systems for proper temperature control, testing all electrical outlets and fixtures, and running appliances through their cycles.
Although the structure would have been inspected earlier, we perform a final check to ensure that the finishing work hasn’t compromised the structural integrity of the home. This includes examining the quality of the drywall installation, the fitting of doors and windows, and the final exterior elements like siding and roofing.
The inspection includes a comprehensive check of all safety systems within the home, such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and any security system installations, to ensure they are correctly installed and fully functional.
While our primary focus is on structural integrity and system functionality, we also conduct a review of the home’s cosmetic finishes. This includes checking for any visible defects in the paint, trim work, flooring, tiling, and overall finishes that might need correction before move-in.
We evaluate the home’s insulation, windows, doors, and sealants for energy efficiency, ensuring that the home meets current standards for energy use and sustainability. This includes a final check on the HVAC system’s ductwork for proper sealing and insulation.
A review of the home’s exterior includes checking the landscaping and grading for proper drainage away from the foundation, a critical factor in preventing water intrusion and foundation issues.
We ensure that all necessary documentation, including warranties, operating manuals for appliances and systems, and any builder’s certificates, are present and accounted for. This provides homeowners with the resources they need for future maintenance and warranty use.
The Final Inspection is the homeowner’s last line of defense against construction defects and unmet expectations. It ensures that any issues are identified and addressed before taking ownership, avoiding the inconvenience and cost of dealing with them after move-in. This phase is not merely a formality but a critical step in guaranteeing that the home you move into is safe, efficient, and built to the highest standards.
The Final Inspection conducted by By Builder Home Inspections represents the culmination of the new home construction process, occurring just before the builder’s walk-through. This comprehensive inspection is crucial, ensuring that all systems within the home are not only installed correctly but are fully operational and meet all safety and quality standards. Our meticulous approach aims to provide homeowners with the confidence that their new home is ready for occupancy, with every component functioning as intended.
By Builder Home Inspections brings a wealth of building experience and a meticulous eye for detail to this final phase, ensuring that your new home exceeds expectations. Our goal is to provide peace of mind, confirming that every aspect of your new home is in perfect order, from the foundation to the roof and everything in between.