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Project Inspections
- County and Local
Inspectors
- all construction will need to pass certain building
codes before you will be assigned a certificate
of occupancy. We discussed these building codes
in step 3.
- county officials will send inspectors to review
the work and certify the work.
- county inspectors work in your favor ensuring
that the work is done properly — so ask questions
if needed
- if the work fails inspection, the work will
need to be corrected and a follow up inspection
will take place usually at an additional re-inspection
fee
- inspections will usually occur at the end of
each major construction phase: concrete footings,
foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC
installation, etc.
- there is usually a final inspection before issuing
the certificate of occupancy
- find out with the county or your builder when
these inspections will take place — you will
want to be present
- sub-contractors will generally arrange their
own inspections — find out when
- note that county inspections DO NOT check for
quality — they only inspect to see if the
work meets building codes
Information about building codes:
http://www.b4ubuild.com/links/codes.shtml
Building codes:
http://www.codecheck.com/
Lookup county and city governments for building
code information:
http://www.statelocalgov.net
- Financial Institution
Inspections
- the full financing needed to complete the project
is not placed into the account when you open your
construction line
- only portions of the total funds will be released
to pay for a construction phase that was approved
in the construction plan submitted at the time
of your account approval
- your lender will generally make inspections
at end of each construction phase to see if the
money is being used as intended, for the projects
that were scheduled, and at the amount that was
approved in the construction plan.
- as each phase is completed and passed inspection,
the lender will release another portion of the
funds to pay for the next construction phase
- bank inspectors are not construction inspectors
— they come to view the completion of work,
take some pictures, and confirm that the funds
were properly used
- bank inspectors DO NOT check for quality or
whether the project has been done right
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- The sub-contractor is under contract to deliver
the foundation, framing, plumbing, heating, electrical,
etc. as specified in the construction contract.
- The question for you is whether the work has been
done properly. You may never know until after you
paid the contractor.
- Understand this rule: he that holds the money dictates
the terms.
Never pay a contractor until you have inspected the
work to contract specifications. Once that money leaves
your hand, you lessen your negotiating power with
the sub-contractor.
- Note: the sub-contractor is required to deliver
a product as specified in the construction contract.
Just because you don't like the "color"
for example, gives you the right to withhold payment.
It is important that you discuss the construction
plan with the sub-contractor prior to services delivered.
Avoid any misunderstandings or surprises.
- County inspectors will check the sub-contractor
work as it relates to building codes, not quality
of workmanship. Likewise, the lender will inspect
for visual completion. Neither of these inspections
will review the work for quality workmanship.
- You need to hire an independent inspector to review
the work. These inspectors will check the quality
of the work and determine whether the work has been
completed as specified and agreed to in the construction
plan and contract.
- Any work that fails inspection must be written up
by the inspector. The inspector must state reasons
for failure as it relates to the construction plan
and contract.
- This inspection report will be used to negotiate
re-work.
- For more information on construction inspection:
http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos004.htm
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Finding
/ Working with Your Inspector
- SayPlanning has partnered with ServiceMagic
to bring you the nation's premier network of
"customer-rated" home construction
inspectors.
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Get matched with the right pre-screened home
inspector in your area:
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click
here |
or use the local yellow pages to search:
home
inspectors
Other
Places to Look:
- Ask your builder, county officials, real estate
agent, attorney or lender to recommend a good construction
inspector. Look for inspectors who are members of
professional affiliations such as the Association
of Construction Inspectors.
The ACI sets the standards for construction inspections
and requires its members to abide by a code of ethics
and standards.
Associations of Construction Inspectors:
http://www.iami.org/
- Most inspecting companies will have Specification
Inspectors, individuals who are specialized in a particular
phase of the inspection. It is unlikely that you will
work with the same inspector throughout all phases
of the construction project.
- The cost for the inspection will vary by region
and the size of the construction. You should accompany
the inspector to ask questions and describe the work
as it relates to the construction plan.
- Provide the inspector (or inspection company) a
copy of the construction plan. Discuss with them your
vision of the house.
- The Inspection will assess the quality and condition
of the following construction phases:
The
Roof, Attic and Related Features:
roofing type and materials, flashing and joint material,
insulation, gutters and down spouts, ventilation,
skylights, vents, turbines or fans, chimney, any
leakage.
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The
Plumbing System:
supply lines and pipes, water pressure and drainage
flow, fixtures and faucets, hot water heater, tubs,
sinks, toilets, showers, whirlpool, laundry appliances,
waste disposal. |
HVAC/Fireplace:
heating type and condition, furnace, heat
pump, duck work, registers and grills, fireplace
flues.
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The
Electrical System:
exterior service and meters, fuse and breaker panels,
capacity, grounding, wiring, switches and outlets,
electrical fixtures, any potential hazards. |
Air
Conditioning:
equipment type, ductwork, filters. |
Kitchen
Appliances:
dishwasher, range burners, oven elements, grills,
vents, microwave, garbage disposal, trash compactor. |
Foundation
and Exterior Structures:
foundation type and construction, settlement, water
penetration, exterior walls, potential termite or
rot damage, windows, doors, porches, garage, decks,
swimming pools and pumps. |
Yard:
unstable soil, drainage, fences, grading, retaining
walls, payments and driveways. |
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