Warranty Inspections
Absolute Inspections, LLC offers the most advanced home inspection process available. EVERY inspection we perform features our revolutionary Infrared Thermal Imaging Scan.
Improper HVAC Ductwork Routing
HVAC Duct shown is improperly installed so that it is squeezed between structural members. This restricts airflow and caused the room supplied to be uncomfortable. Ductwork routing is a common issue in newer homes in our area.
Active Water Leak - Master Bedroom Ceiling and Wall
Absolute Inspections, LLC’s Infrared scan discovered an active water leak in the ceiling and wall of this master bedroom – the dark area in the corner. You can also see a large section of ceiling that is missing insulation – the light rectangular area in the ceiling.
Traditional visual inspection procedures alone would not have discovered either of these problems. Absolute’s Infrared Scan showed the problem immediately upon entering the room.
Improperly Plumbed Air Conditioning Drain
The pipe shown is the secondary drain line from the evaporator unit. This line is to terminate OUTSIDE to safely drain. The installers routed away from the unit into the attic where it end IN the attic. Had it become active it would have caused extensive water damage to the home.
Many people are surprised at the idea of paying for an inspection of their newly constructed home.
It is a NEW house after all?
Unfortunately, you may be unpleasantly surprised.
It is our experience that having a One-Year Warranty Inspection may be one of the wisest decisions you make regarding your home in the first year. This is a decision that could save you thousands of dollars down the road.
We have determined that a majority of defects cited in a real estate inspection report of an older home, were present at the time of construction or are the direct result of a small problem with the construction. Yet after the one-year warranty period has passed, the homeowner is solely responsible for repairing these problems, usually when the time crunch of the option period of the sales contract is at its worst.
The fact is that this type of problems will come up sooner or later, whether during an inspection when you sell or when the small problem finally develops into a major defect that cannot be ignored. The smart homeowner opts for sooner while the builder is still responsible and available, rather than later when they are trying to sell their house and the builder is long gone.
It is disappointing and somewhat surprising that we have performed very few One-Year Warranty Inspections that did not reveal some problems that required the builder's attention. Problems that would have cost many times the inspection fee to deal with years later. The problems vary greatly, but most seem to be the result of poor supervision and quality control. The market has changed so that the onus of finding the problems is squarely the responsibility of you, the homeowner.
These facts and our experience in the real estate industry have convinced us that One-Year Warranty Inspections are an extremely valuable service to provide to our clients. A One-Year Warranty Inspection from Absolute Inspections, LLC is an excellent way to check the condition of your new home. A professional inspection will also give you documentation to take to your builder to help argue your position.
Here are a few examples of problems that we have found in newly constructed, often never occupied, homes.
- Active water leaks not visible to the naked eye. Found with Absolute Inspections' revolutionary Infrared Thermal Imaging Scans.
- Missing furnace vent caps, allowing water to enter the heat exchanger and potentially causing premature rust and failure.
- Improperly installed plumbing vent roof jacks.
- Exposed nailheads on roof.
- Improper rafter construction or bracing.
- Improperly installed air conditioning condensers.
- Unconnected HVAC ductwork.
- Reversed plumbing connections to the water heater.
- Improperly installed electrical panels.
- Improper electrical system grounding.
- The backside of a chimney not being painted.
You may still doubt that you could benefit from a One-Year Warranty Inspection from Absolute Inspections, LLC and ask:
Why do these problems happen?
There are many explanations for the problems we find with new homes. Here are a few:
- Subcontractors are not supervised appropriately, if at all. Builders have placed the responsibility of quality control squarely on the shoulders of the homeowners.
- Corners are cut in areas that may not be visible or noticeable to the homeowner.
- Houses are complex systems, and builders and their crews are human and sometimes make honest mistakes.
- Builders assume what you do not know cannot hurt them.
If I have a good builder, do I need to worry?
As stated above, these problems occur for a variety of reasons. Yes, some builders are better than others, but this varies widely. We have even seen differences with the same builder in different developments due to different personnel and supervisors.
A good builder should not be alarmed at the idea of you having an inspection. In fact, they should look forward to the opportunity to prove the quality of their product. They should also be receptive and timely about resolving any issues that may come up in the report. Some are and, unfortunately, some are not.
City code inspectors check for these things, right?
Unfortunately from our experience, the answer is often no. City inspectors look for very specific items and may “inspect” 20 – 30 homes a day. An inspection from Absolute Inspections, LLC is strictly looking out for you, our client. We have your best interests foremost in our minds.
