A new home is the biggest dream of anyone’s life. It’s exciting, stressful, and a little bit overwhelming. While you buy a newly built home, understanding the condition of your home is crucial. The builder warranties and home inspections can play a role at this stage. The purpose of both is to provide you peace of mind, but these two things are different.
What is a Builder Warranty?
We can say that a builder warranty is a promise made by the homebuilder to stand behind their work. It is a claim by the builder that certain aspects of the home will remain free of defects for a certain period of time. The builder warranties are typically included with new construction homes and it can depend on the builder.
What Do Builder Warranties Include?
Usually, the builders provide a one-year warranty on new construction. The warranties cover:
- Cosmetic defects, such as paint, drywall cracks, or flooring issues
- Mechanical systems, such as plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems
- Major structural components, like the foundation and roof framing
All the warranties for new construction are not created equal. It totally depends on the location and the builder. So, it is better to get the details before making a deal.
What Do Builder Warranties Not Cover?
Builder warranties cover only standard things that show quality workmanship. These warranties don’t cover:
- Normal wear and tear with use
- Problems caused by the neglect of the homeowner
- Damages caused by the weather
- Minor settling cracks
It is a possibility that you might have to provide documentation, inspections and even mediation to get the parts repair that are included in the builder warranties.
What is a Home Inspection?
A home inspection is an independent assessment of the property. In this assessment condition of the property at that time gets evaluated. A certified home inspector visits the home and check its structural components and installed systems. The home inspections help to identify the present and the potential issues in the homes.
What Do Home Inspections Cover?
A regular/typical home inspection covers a check on almost every essential part of a home. It includes the following:
- Foundation and structural integrity
- Roof condition
- Plumbing system
- Electrical system
- HVAC system
- Appliances
- Windows and doors
- Attic and insulation
- Basement and crawl spaces
Why Home Inspections are Important?
The home inspections offer a wide range of benefits to homeowners planning for renovations, to buyers planning to buy the home, and even to sellers who want to list a perfect home in the competitive market. Usually, home inspections help to:
- Know the condition of the property in detail
- Uncover hidden issues
- Evaluate investment
- Ensure safety
- Avoid expensive surprises
- Attract serious buyers
- Negotiate repairs
Builders Warranties vs. Home Inspections
Let’s compare these two side by side:
| Aspect | Builder Warranties | Home Inspections |
| Who provides it? | The builder | Independent home inspector |
| Are these mandatory | Depends on the requirements of the state and the policy of the builder | Optional but highly recommended for the right decision |
| When are these done? | Right after the construction | Anytime, usually before closing a deal |
| Purpose | Limited time protection against certain defects | Identification of present and potential issues |
| Who pays for it? | Included in the purchase price | The person who books an inspection pays for it |
Do You Need Both?
The simple answer is “Yes”. Both of these are equally beneficial to keep your home in a good conditon. The builder warranties are helpful as the builders can make mistakes or miss things furing hectic construction work.
Similarly, the home inspections help to catch issues before they become serious. The inspections also provide leverage to the home buyers to bargain on the repair work.
Misconceptions About Builder Warranties and Home Inspections
There are a few misconceptions commonly associated with new constructions:
- I have a builder’s warranty, so I don’t need an inspection
Many issues that inspectors catch can be fixed within the warranty period. If some remains undetected by avoiding a home inspection, you might have to live with them or pay for repairs.
- New homes don’t need inspections
Well, new homes can have penalty of issues in the form of poorly installed systems, negligence in construction work, or poor workmanship. An inspection can uncover any of such issue.
- Builder warranties and home inspections are the same
Actually, these two are the different things, but you can take a full advantage by scheduling an inspection before warranty ends.
Concluding the Comparison
Builder warranties and home inspections serve different purposes. One offers a promise that your home is built with quality workmanship and it will last while the other provides a snapshot of the current condition of the home. For the new construction homeowners, having these both provides the best chance to keep the home in a good state. Empower yourself with informed decisions. Schedule an inspection and know every necessary detail about your home.
