What to look for in NEW Construction

What to look for in NEW Construction???

By Bridget Lynch-White REALTOR?

For many buying a home is done on the existing homes, rather than buying new.?The on average thought, like it is with buying a NEW car is that there shouldn’t be anything wrong with a new home, right?

Well, the problem with that thought and thinking that buying anything NEW will mean nothing is wrong is frequently proven to be incorrect.?With that said, what should someone look for in a NEW home to make sure that the property is in good shape before signing those final papers?

First, look for a solid contractor, one that has a good reputation and get references.?If you are buying in a subdivision, you may not have a choice of contractor as many of the pre-constructed designs are “pre-approved” to be built with a specific contractor.?So, at the very least, talk to people who have used them and check to make sure their reputation is as good as the homes they build and vice versa.

Second, double check the quality of what’s being put into your home, many new homes use “builder grade” materials and in some cases that means poor to average quality.?Builder grade doesn’t always mean bad, it just doesn’t always mean good either.?Make sure you’re getting what you are paying for and what you agreed to.

Third, be aware that things will pop-up way after the project is done, such as nail-pops, a loose plumbing install or you find out when they installed the carpet, there was no padding.?Personally, if it were me buying a NEW construction property, I would walk through at every phase and double check the paperwork to make sure I got what I paid for.?Write into the contract that a contractor will return after 90 and 120 days to correct anything that is not right, and 25% of the job will be held in escrow until it has been signed off on, etc.

Fourth, check your mechanicals rating to ensure the Furnace and A/C installed will cool the square footage of the home, don’t guess, or think it’s new it’s fine.?From experience down the road, if a person buys a home after years of wear and tear and finds out the HVAC is not big enough to handle the square footage of the home, you as the current owner will be stuck with the replacement fee.?That goes for the electric and plumbing as well – double check it all with a professional, don’t just take the word of the contractor.

Fifth, keep the contractor to their word, don’t accept late work or allow them to drag out the completion.?If they have agreed to a 90-day build, they need to stick to a 90-day build.?If for any reason a contractor comes in at 90 days and there is still finish work to be completed, start docking their work and always have a back-up contractor in the wings.?Write into the contract that if they fail to perform, they don’t get paid.?Yeah, it means you’ll need an attorney, but it will be well worth it when the work is done, and everything is right!

Last, know that many things can and will go wrong, that is the nature of the business.?Sometimes it can’t be perfect.?So be kind, let it roll off your back and just keep on it. Eventually you will have the home of your dreams.

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