Affordable housing, lower cost of living, less traffic congestion, great school choices, and a friendly neighborhood are some of the reasons why Gainesville got hailed as the “Best City for Young Families” in Virginia.
Living in this part of Prince William County allows residents to enjoy a suburban community while owning their homes. If you’re also looking at this city to raise your family, you should be familiar with the ins and outs of acquiring your Gainesville home.
Just like any other American home, buying a house in this part of Virginia also comes with rules and regulations, and one of which is to have a home inspection regardless if you’re buying a condo unit or constructing a house from scratch.
It’s necessary and normal to seek a service that does new construction home inspection Gainesville VA, for your safety and the rest of the community. So how does new home inspection work in Gainesville?
Find a licensed home inspector
First, you should find a legitimate home inspector in Gainesville. Look for a certified inspector that you can trust, especially if you are new to the place.
Schedule home inspection
A new construction home inspection Gainesville VA, may take two to four hours or longer depending on the house’s size, the number of defects found, thoroughness of the inspector, and the cooperation of the homeowner during the inspection.
International Association of Certified Home Inspector suggests having two to three inspections for newly constructed properties. The stages of review include:
-
First inspection
Also known as the foundation or “pre-pour” inspection, which happens before the main foundation took place in the house.
-
Second inspection
This the “pre-drywall or sheetrock” or merely the framing inspection stage. It occurs after the installation of frame, roof, and windows.
- Third inspection
The third and final inspection is done to make sure that all parts of the house are ready and safe to entertain occupants. At this point, inspectors in Gainesville also check if the home adheres to local code and building standards.
Have a checklist
The inspectors will have their list, but you can always come up with yours. Take note of all the comments, be it positive or negative, so you will not forget any details. Make sure to take note of all the defects that need to be repaired and discuss the turnaround time required for the repairs to finish.
According to the American Society of Home Inspectors, below is the list of things that an inspector would have to review:
- Heating system
- The central air conditioning system
- Electrical system
- Interior plumbing
- Roof
- Walls
- Ceilings
- Floor
- Windows and decors
- Foundation
- Basement
- Attic (invisible insulation)
- Structural components
Prepare the manuals
During the final inspection, the inspector will surely look into all the systems and appliances available in the house, such as the water heating system, air conditioning, and all components that need a set of instructions to operate.
Have all the instruction manuals ready so you can answer all their questions. Of course, you should read it ahead of time, but have it available in case they look for it.
Building a new home in Gainesville is exciting and fun. But keep in mind that no matter how much time, effort, and money you put into it, you will still need an expert eye to check its safety and livability.
Leave a Reply