Many new home buyers will see their new home for the first time during their PDI inspection. Most builders do not encourage buyer to visit the new home site during construction, siting insurance concerns, but other builders welcome purchasers and allow them access to their home during construction.
Your Pre Delivery Inspection is a mandatory inspection required by Tarion and is conducted using Tarion’s checklist or a similar list supplied by your builder.
Many home owners are over whelmed by the prospect of inspecting their new home and often hire a professional home inspector to accompany them during the PDI inspection. I personally always recommend that the home owner notify the builder in writing that they will be bringing a home inspector as some builders are very resistant to having a professional inspect your home.
I recommend that the home owner bring a copy of the Tarion check list that is available on their web site and keep track of all items that they have looked at and any deficiencies that require the builders attention. As a professional home inspector I use a more in depth check list which covers basically but not limited to the following:
· structural components including foundation and framing, including probing a representative number of structural
components where deterioration is suspected or where clear indications of possible deterioration exist.
· exterior wall covering, flashing and trim.
· exterior doors.
· attached decks, balconies, stoops, steps, porches, and their associated railings.
· eaves, soffits, and fascias where accessible from the ground level.
· vegetation, grading, surface drainage, and retaining walls on the property when any of these are likely to
adversely affect the building.
· walkways, patios, and driveways leading to dwelling entrances.
· roof covering.
· roof drainage systems.
· roof flashings.
· skylights, chimneys, and roof penetrations
· interior water supply and distribution systems including all fixtures and faucets.
· drain, waste and vent systems including all fixtures.
· water heating equipment.
· vent systems, flues, and chimneys.
· fuel storage and fuel distribution systems.
· drainage sumps, sump pumps, and related piping.
· electrical service drop.
· electrical service entrance conductors, cables, and raceways.
· electrical service equipment and main disconnects.
· electrical service grounding.
· interior components of electrical service panels and sub panels.
· electrical conductors.
· electrical over current protection devices.
· a representative number of installed lighting fixtures, switches, and receptacles.
· ground fault circuit interrupters.
· installed heating equipment.
· heating vent systems, flues, and chimneys
· installed central and through-wall cooling equipment.
· interior walls, ceilings, and floors.
· steps, stairways, and railings.
· countertops and a representative number of installed cabinets.
· a representative number of doors and windows.
· garage doors and garage door operators.
· insulation and vapour retarders in unfinished spaces.
· ventilation of attics and foundation areas.
· mechanical ventilation systems.
· fireplace system components.
· fireplace vent systems, flues, and chimneys.
Every house is different and each inspection will identify items that are unique to that particular home. There are many similarities to deficiencies found while inspecting homes but as homes are built by humans there is the possibility for almost any conceivable mistake possible to be present.
Some home inspectors argue that cosmetic damage is not within the scope of the Tarion PDI inspection. I differ on this completely. It has been my experience that home owners that do not make a note of minor dents, scratches on floors or cupboards etc on their PDI, find that when they identify them on their 30 day list the builder has disputed the fact because they were not included on the initial PDI checklist. Not all builders are cut from the same cloth but I have encounter circumstances where the client had to chase after the builder who had got them to sign off on the PDI before completing inspection. He had told them that it was not a “big deal” and just to list everything on the 30 day inspection report.
The cost of a professional home inspection, we only charge a maximum of $279.00 and start at $199.00, is pretty small when you consider the cost of repairing, doors, floors, cupboards, furnaces, plumbing fixtures, missing insulation, poor workmanship and the many items that are found on a regular basis. On one new home that I inspected last year, the roofer had used different coloured shingles under the soffit, hoping no one would notice. Now I don’t want to imply your builder is involved in trying to defraud you from what you have bought and paid for, but in some cases mistakes happen and you don’t receive what you bought and paid for. It is my job and responsibility to recognise and inform you of any short comings or damages found during your Pre Delivery Inspection. Remember when choosing a professional home inspector – CAVEAT EMPTOR = BUYER BEWARE – ask questions ( an informed consumer is a smart comsumer)
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