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INSPECTION Questions
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Other general Questions:

Do I need a home inspection on NEW CONSTRUCTION?

What is the difference between local code or town inspections on New Construction, and a home inspection?

How would your inspectors perform an inspection on New Construction?

Do you inspect ANTIQUE HOMES?

What do you inspect in a CONDOMINIUM / CONDEX?

Do you inspect MOBILE HOMES?

 

ANSWERS TO GENERAL QUESTIONS

 

DO I need a home inspection on NEW CONSTRUCTION?

Some of the advantages of hiring a  Maida Services professional inspector include:

  • You will gain a better understanding of the quality of materials used and the workmanship in the building's systems.  Just a few examples are:

                - Is the exterior detailing complete in siding and trim work?

                - Does the exterior appear water tight; sealed with caulking?

                - Are roof components properly flashed?

                - Are all attic areas thoroughly insulated and ventilated?

                - Are the heating system(s) distributing heat evenly throughout the house?

Also, a home inspector can make helpful suggestions that may improve the property, while not impacting overall costs.  

And, very occasionally, we do see builders that may not be utilizing current technology (like ridge vents) in their construction practices.   

Maida Services inspectors, through continuing education and ASHI Seminars, are educated and informed in the area of new construction technology.  

What is the difference between local code or town inspections on New Construction, and a home inspection? 

Some towns are more thorough than others when they inspect new construction.   Basically, though, a code inspector (or town inspector) would only inspect the property to be sure that local building codes are followed.  

The inspectors at Maida Services, Inc. would perform a complete inspection, looking at quality of materials,  and  many, many other small details,  such as:

  • proper installation of roofing and siding materials, 
  • priming of painted surfaces, 
  • caulking to prevent water penetration,
  • proper grading to prevent water problems,
  • flashing materials around stairs and decks (which helps to prevent water penetration)

just to mention a few.

Our home inspector would provide you  with a 31-page report which would include considerable narrative content.

How would your inspectors perform an inspection on New Construction?

If the home is complete, we could perform the inspection in one visit.   However, if the home is still under construction with many systems incomplete, you may want our inspector to review the property more than once before your final closing.   Generally, in a home that is incomplete, we inspect in two phases.

Phase One:  At the first visit, we would review all details of the structure, looking for things like quality of materials, proper installation of roofing and siding materials, priming of painted surfaces,  proper grading, proper installation of flashing materials, thorough installation of insulation and ventilation, etc., etc., etc.  

Phase Two: After completion, and before closing we schedule another appointment to inspect systems and components that were not installed or functioning previously. Heating, plumbing, and electrical systems, as well as any items of concern from the first inspection are checked to make sure they have been fixed or finished properly. 

Do you inspect ANTIQUE HOMES??

The inspectors at Maida Services, Inc. are fully trained and experienced to evaluate the conditions of the entire spectrum of construction practices -- from pre-railroad post and beam to New England farmhouses, through the various methods used in the last 100 years.

Many antiques employ technologies of several eras of structural, electrical and mechanical systems   (as the various prior owners invested in upgrading systems and additions to the home).    Only a truly competent inspector can confidently and correctly evaluate such issues as:

  • the many types of framing techniques and their characteristics (both good and bad)
  • heating systems from coal converted hydronics to the "octopus" (an old hot air ductwork design)
  • electrical systems in various stages of upgrade

 

What do you inspect in a CONDOMINIUM /  CONDEX?

When you hire a Maida Services inspector we will inspect and report on both the interior AND the exterior of the property. 

Even though the condo association may (or may not) be responsible for the exterior of the building, you still need to be concerned with it's condition.  Your condo fees are directly related to the condition of the building.  If the condo association has not been doing a good job taking care of the building, there may be major repairs which will eventually have to be addressed.  At that time, your condo fees could go up considerably.  

We always encourage buyers to contact the condo association and ask as many questions as possible, such as:

  • How much money does the association have in reserve?
  • Are any major (or minor) repairs scheduled?
  • Does the association expect an increase in condo fees?
  • Are there any defects that are currently known in the complex?
  • Has there been any radon testing performed and what were the results?
  • What is the ratio of owner occupied / rental units?
  • Have any potential buyers experienced problems obtaining a mortgage on any of the units because of defects or undisclosed problems?

We would help you analyze the information you receive, and also perform a very thorough inspection of the building your unit is located in.  We would need access to all common areas.  If the heating system and/or electrical panel are in an area that is kept locked up, either you, or your realtor would have to arrange for access, IN ADVANCE, so that we can inspect those components.

Do you inspect MOBILE HOMES?

Yes.   Since 1983, our inspectors have inspected hundreds of mobile homes and are very knowledgeable and qualified.

Our inspectors check the whole exterior of the structure.  We generally,  remove the skirt, get underneath the mobile home and inspect the systems and components in the crawl space, if it is accessible.  All interior and exterior components are thoroughly inspected.

 

 

 

We are ASHI Certified, Degreed, Educated, Licensed Home Inspectors, providing home inspection services, including water testing, radon, termite, lead paint inspections, serving Massachusetts (MA), New Hampshire (NH) and southern Maine (ME).

 


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Last modified: June 25, 2007