New Construction Home Inspections in the Columbia River Gorge
Believe it or not, a brand-new home can still have construction defects, incomplete work, installation problems, or items that need correction before you take possession.
Gorge Quality Home Inspection provides independent new construction inspections for buyers and homeowners throughout the Columbia River Gorge, Portland metro area, and Southwest Washington.
An independent inspection gives you another set of eyes on the property, working for you rather than the builder.
Why Inspect a Brand-New Home?
New does not mean perfect.
A newly constructed home involves hundreds of materials, components, connections, and installation steps sometimes performed by multiple different contractors. Even with a good build manager and required municipal inspections, mistakes and unfinished items can happen.
Did a finish contractor accidentally damage a bathroom water line? Maybe a roofing contractor forgot to put a boot on a DWV roof penetration.
Surprisingly we have seen it all, and without a keen inspection eye, brand new structural components of the home would have been damaged if the problems weren’t promptly identified and fixed!
An independent home inspection looks at the completed work from the buyer’s perspective and can identify issues that deserve attention before closing or before the builder’s warranty period expires.
Is a Home Inspection Different From a Building-Code Inspection?
Yes! Local building officials perform required inspections during construction to determine whether the contractor’s work complies with applicable building code requirements at specific stages.
An independent home inspector serves a different purpose.
The home inspector evaluates the visible condition and operation of accessible systems and components and reports observed defects and concerns directly to the client.
Passing municipal inspections does not mean every component of the finished home is installed correctly, operating properly, or free of defects.
New Construction Inspections Throughout Oregon and Washington
Gorge Quality Home Inspection serves new construction buyers throughout the Columbia River Gorge and surrounding areas, including:
- Hood River
- The Dalles
- Mosier
- Cascade Locks
- Maupin
- White Salmon
- Stevenson
- Goldendale
- Gresham
- Portland metro area
- Vancouver
- Clark County
Contact us to discuss the construction schedule and determine when an inspection should be performed.
New Construction Inspection FAQ
Why should I inspect a brand-new home?
New homes can still have installation errors, incomplete work, damaged materials, improperly operating equipment, and other defects. An independent inspection provides an additional review of the property from the buyer’s perspective.
Isn't the city or county already inspecting the house?
Local building officials perform required inspections related to permits and applicable construction code requirements. An independent home inspection serves a different purpose and provides the buyer with a broader assessment of the accessible condition and operation of the home’s systems and components.
What is inspected during the final new construction inspection?
The inspection can include accessible portions of the roof, exterior, structure, attic, electrical system, plumbing, HVAC equipment, interior, windows, doors, installed appliances, garage, grading, drainage, decks, porches, and other visible components. The exact scope depends on the property and the stage of completion.
Should the final inspection happen before closing?
When possible, the inspection should be performed early enough before closing to allow the buyer to review the findings and communicate concerns to the builder. The specific timing should be coordinated with the builder, buyer, and real estate agents involved in the transaction.
What if the builder says an independent inspection is unnecessary?
While most builders strive to do their best work, we all can make mistakes. Building your dream home is a significant milestone, and you deserve assessment from a knowledgeable third party. Builder supervision and municipal inspections do not replace an inspection performed specifically for the buyer. An independent inspection provides another assessment of the finished property and documents visible conditions at the time of inspection.
Do you check whether the home meets building code?
No. Your inspection report may call out deficiencies in building standards, but your municipal inspector is responsible for ensuring that your new home meets all municipal building codes.
Do you provide photographs of problems you find?
Yes! We include deficiency photos in our report.
Do you offer an 11-month or builder-warranty inspection?
Yes!
What is a builder-warranty inspection?
A builder-warranty inspection is performed after the owner has lived in the home for a period of time, typically a 1-year period, but before an applicable builder warranty expires. Normal use and seasonal changes may reveal problems that were not apparent when the home was first completed.
Can I attend the new construction inspection?
Yes! But be prepared, if you are on site we may just offer you some ‘blue tape’ so that while we are assessing the home’s many systems, you can use blue tape to identify any concerns with craftsmanship.
How much does a new construction inspection cost?
Inspection costs depend on the size of the new home and whether or not there are any out buildings included.
What areas do you provide new construction inspections in?
Gorge Quality Home Inspection serves the Columbia River Gorge, Portland metro area, and Southwest Washington, including Hood River, The Dalles, Mosier, Cascade Locks, White Salmon, Stevenson, Goldendale, Gresham, Portland, Vancouver, and surrounding communities.
Schedule a New Construction Home Inspection Today
Unfortunately you cannot assume that a newly built home does not need an independent inspection.
Identifying visible problems before they are concealed behind a wall, before closing, or before a builder warranty expires can catch minor problems before they become major ones, can hold the builder accountable to a quality build, and provide you the peace of mind you deserve in your new home!
Call or text (208) 598-3500 or schedule your inspection online.
Proudly Serving
Columbia River Gorge
We offer professional home buyer and home seller inspections throughout the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. We regularly serve Goldendale, White Salmon, Stevenson, Maupin, The Dalles, Mosier, Hood River, Cascade Locks. We also travel to Gresham, the entire Portland metro area, and into Vancouver and throughout Clark County, Washington.
GORGE QUALITY HOME INSPECTIONS
At Gorge Quality Home Inspection, we offer a detail-oriented home inspection catered to your needs as a home-buyer, ensuring that you get the most from the money you spend—and helping you have peace of mind thanks to a safe and sound investment. Contact us today to request an inspection.
A $25 off discount is offered to military veterans, repeat customers, and first-time home-buyers. For real estate agents, we can provide $25 off coupons to pass on to your clients.
Weekend and evening appointments are available. Online payments are accepted. Contact us for full pricing information.
WA Licensed Home Inspector #2565
OR CCB #232271
WSDA Structural Pest Inspector #101114
