Building Code vs. New Home Inspections
It pays to know the difference - allow us to break it down for you.
Most people assume that the building code enforcement inspections of their new home construction are technically exhaustive and supplant the need for a traditional home inspection—like those recommended for existing homes prior to purchase. However, nothing could be further from the truth, and not knowing these differences could cost a new owner plenty through inefficient energy usage, needless corrective maintenance or warranty work hassles, and the loss of thousands of dollars when they eventually relist their house for sale. Note that once a permit is cleared, the enforcement officer does not go back and check again to see if things were changed or removed/replaced—allowing defects to go unnoticed.
Here are a few examples of defects not found by the code compliance inspection:
An incorrectly mounted toilet flange in a hallway bathroom caused unseen damage to the sub-flooring, I-joist, and finished flooring. It also created a mold problem that had to be remediated in the crawl space. Even though they only had the house a couple of years, the cost for remediation and repair for the sellers was over $4,000.
A severely damaged truss required evaluation by a structural engineer and repairs—costing the sellers almost $3,000 in concessions to get to closing (it had been run over by a vehicle and was installed instead of replaced).
An improperly cut I-joist (to accommodate routing of a plumbing drain line) was found during the buyer’s home inspection, and it cost the sellers almost $2,500 to correct before going to closing.
An HVAC air handler in the attic failed to have a float/safety switch installed. The drain pan outlet/condensate drain pump was clogged by cellulose insulation. The entire living room ceiling had to be replaced less than two years after moving in.
The following illustrates the differences between the two inspectors:
| Task | Code Enforcement Officer | Your Home Inspector |
|---|---|---|
| Clears building permits & issues certificates of occupancy | YES | NO |
| Has authority to issue citations, stop-work orders, and can condemn an unsafe property | YES | NO |
| Evaluates compliance with local codes and building ordinances | YES | NO |
| Inspects different phases of the new construction process | YES | YES *If NRS Certified |
| Inspects finished homes for proper systems operation | NO | YES |
| Evaluates the condition of the home to support real estate transactions | NO | YES |
| Provides a report with photos/videos | NO | YES |