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NEW CONSTRUCTION

Building Your Dream Home: A Guide to Phased Inspections

Congratulations on embarking on the exciting journey of building your dream home in the beautiful Spokane area! As your plans transform from blueprints to brick-and-mortar, ensuring quality construction every step of the way is paramount. That's where phased home inspections come in to give you peace of mind throughout the building process.

What are phased inspections?

Unlike a single final inspection, phased inspections involve multiple inspections conducted at key stages of construction. This proactive approach allows you to catch and address any potential issues early on, before they snowball into costly fixes later. Imagine it as catching a small leak before it turns into a burst pipe — much easier and cheaper, right?

Think of phase inspections as a compliment to the county or city inspection process. City code inspectors typically have 10–20 sites to see in a day and may be limited on how much they can see at the time. A dedicated phase inspection allows full attention to your project and delivers any concerns for your consideration — without the bureaucratic red tape process.

Benefits of phased inspections

• Early Problem Detection: identifying issues early on saves you money and time compared to fixing them later, when repairs become more complex and expensive.
• Peace of Mind: regular inspections provide valuable reassurance that your home is being built with quality and safety in mind.
• Improved Communication: inspections foster open communication between you, the builder, and the inspector, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
• Quality Assurance: regular inspections increase the likelihood of a high-quality, problem-free home as potential issues are addressed promptly.

Typical phased inspections look at the following areas

Foundation Inspections. This phase can happen immediately before or after the foundation is poured. It provides opportunity to look at core elements that are normally buried under soil when the house is complete. Examples:

• Footing depth and width
• Drainage planes around foundation
• Sleeving and pass-thru casings
• Electrical grounding preparation

Framing Inspection. Once the framing is complete, the inspector verifies structural integrity, proper alignment of walls and roof, and adherence to building standards. Before drywall is installed, this also allows the inspector to look at interior systems that are normally covered. This ensures your home's vital systems are functioning properly and efficiently, keeping you comfortable and safe. Examples:

• Framing
• Electrical wiring
• Plumbing
• Ventilation Ducts
• Weather sealing (pre-insulation)

Final Inspection. With the house nearly move-in ready, a final inspection ensures the finishing trim out complete and ready for you. This phase looks a lot like a regular home inspection on a used home and will compliment your final walk-through as the new owner. Examples:

• Roof
• Electrical fixtures
• Plumbing fixtures
• Windows & Doors
• Porches and Decks
• Heating and Cooling

11-month warranty inspection. This inspection happens approximately 11 months after closing, and before the builder's warranty expires. It's an opportunity to identify any issues that may have arisen due to settling or normal wear and tear, allowing for repairs under warranty before they become larger problems.

Finding an inspector

Look for an inspector who holds the International Code Council (ICC) Residential Code Inspector Certification. This rigorous certification ensures they have the knowledge and expertise to thoroughly evaluate your home against the latest building codes and standards. A certified inspector gives you the confidence that your home is built not only to your expectations but also to safe and reliable standards.

Investing in peace of mind

While phased inspections may seem like an additional expense, their benefits far outweigh the costs. Think of them as an investment in the quality, safety, and value of your future home. Remember, a small leak caught early can save you from a flooded basement later. Ask about scheduling multiple phases together, or a single closing inspection if the pre-drywall stage has already passed.