Why Get a Building Inspection on a New Build?

Introduction 

Buying new homes, townhouses, or apartments off plans has become a popular trend over the last 5-10 years in New Zealand. This offers homeowners a great opportunity to live in a brand-new property with low maintenance. Renovations can be expensive and time-consuming, while new developments often provide a suitable price point for first-time buyers, those downsizing, or anyone ready for a new pace in life.

The Process 

The process is relatively stress-free, with the builder or developer managing the build. Sometimes, the property might already be built and ready for occupancy; other times, it won't be completed for several years, depending on the scale of the development.

Misconceptions About New Builds 

There is a common perception that new homes, being built to the latest code and having council sign-offs and developer guarantees, do not need to get a building inspection. This is not correct. Even new builds can have minor and significant issues that may not be immediately apparent. The council commonly do not check the finishing quality of the painted walls, kitchens or bathrooms. 

Why Choose CheckHome? 

At CheckHome, we provide building/handover inspections on new townhouses and new house builds, primarily in large developments around Wellington, Kapiti, Wairarapa, Christchurch, Palmerston North, Whanganui, the greater Manawatu region, Taranaki, Northland, North Auckland and Queenstown. Our findings can often surprise clients. 

Real-Life Example 

One of our inspectors recently completed an inspection on a newly built townhouse. Initially, the husband wasn't on board with getting this completed and was confused about why his partner had contacted us for a builder's report on their recently finished townhouse. Within 20 minutes of walking around the property with the client, he called his partner to thank her. In that first 20 minutes he found missing grout in the tiling of the shower—a problem that could save our client from a future leaking shower. Other inspectors have found issues with the internal and external paint quality requiring the dwelling to be fully repainted. Leaking shower or even missing roof flashings causing the roof to leak and many other issues. 

Ideal Timing for Inspections 

Ideally, we inspect the property once the building is ‘finished’ and before you move in. This timing allows any problems we highlight to be addressed by the original contractors without hassle and before the final payment is made. Our comprehensive report covers everything from roofing, cladding, electrical and plumbing systems, to interior aspects like bathrooms and kitchens. 

Another good time to get a building inspection on a new build is when the one year maintenance clause on the build is about to expire. This allows us to identify any issues before they lapse, giving the builders enough time to address them. 

Common Issues Found 

Some common issues we find in new builds include:

  • Cladding installed incorrectly or not according to manufacturer's specifications.
  • Double-glazed units moving within window frames, leaving gaps to the exterior.
  • Movement in handrails and balustrades.
  • Holes and missing grout in tile showers.
  • Leaking showers due to missing sealant.
  • Wall linings with only a single coat of paint, making plaster lines noticeable.

Our Expertise 

As past and current builders, we understand the stress and time restraints on new builds and developments. Our goal is to ensure the quality of workmanship meets a reasonable standard so that our clients are happy with their brand-new homes and that these homes are future-proofed.

In summary, a building inspection on a new build is crucial to identify and rectify potential issues before they become bigger problems. At CheckHome, we are committed to providing thorough and professional inspections to ensure your new home is built to the highest standards.

For more information, visit our website at www.checkhome.co.nz.

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