When building a new home you would think your last worry would be that it would need to be inspected, right? Wrong! Even though your home is newly built or in the process, the home should be inspected in steps to ensure nothing major was lacked on and wont turn into bigger problems if left untouched.
A New Construction Inspection is made up of four stages during the building process.
1. Foundation Stage – This includes excavation, footings, foundation walls (or slab), waterproofing, backfill and compaction, and underground plumbing. Municipal inspections are typically performed on the foundation (prior to pouring) and underground plumbing.
2. Framing Stage – This includes wood or steel framing, exterior wall and roof sheathing, exterior trim and siding (and/or stucco/brick), windows and exterior doors, and roofing. Municipal inspections are typically performed on the rough framing. Some municipalities inspect the roofing.
3. Insulation and Drywall Stage – This includes wall insulation, (but not attic insulation at this time), drywall installation, tape and texture. This stage cannot begin till the rough stage inspections are passed. Many municipalities do not inspect the insulation but rely on the contractors “certification” of installation. Many municipalities have a drywall nail/screw inspection prior to tape and texture.
4. Paint, Trim, Finishes Stage – This includes finished flooring, cabinets, countertops, wall tile, mirrors, shower doors, final electrical (including fixtures), final plumbing (including fixtures), and final mechanical. Municipal inspections are performed on the final electrical, plumbing, and mechanical. When these inspections are passed, the municipality then typically performs a “Final Inspection.”