DEALING WITH Building Inspectors
Inspectors have the power to stop the construction of your new home and send everyone away at the cost of thousands of dollars. Or at least that's the fear. Actually, inspectors are your allies in getting your home built the way you want it. The inspector's job would be to make sure the home is safe and healthy for occupancy. She or he periodically visits the construction site to make sure that the residence is being built based on the plan approved by the building department. And because you, too, want to buy built in accordance with those plans, the inspector is your friend. Or at least, they aren't the enemy.
As you get a building permit, enquire about inspections and when possible, meet one or more of the inspectors. Find out how much advance time you should call for an inspection and what work, if any, you can continue doing prior to the inspection. As soon as you schedule an inspection of a particular component, don't do any longer focus on that component until the inspection is done. That's, postpone installing roofing until after the inspector has inspected the sheathing installation and nailing. Also discover what happens if the inspector doesn't sign off on the inspection. What must you do before calling for a re-inspection? Who can you call? What if you dispute the inspection?
As the owner-builder, additionally, you will cope with the lender's inspector(s). In some instances, the lender may accept the county or city building inspector's certification. Other lenders may have their own inspector visit the site. In Website link , these schedules don't coincide with building inspections.
As the lender's inspector sees that specific milestones have been reached, he or she authorizes payment of a quantity specified in the draw schedule. The lending company may slice the check or have an escrow officer or escrow company take action. In any case, because the owner-builder, the money may be deposited into your building account that it is possible to pay contractors and suppliers. So, it is important that you keep track of expenses, income from draws, and other sources and manage the money flow. You don't want to face the day once you have a $50,000 draw and $100,000 in bills.
As your personal contractor, learn to keep good records and manage a checkbook. If you have a computer, spend money on one of the many excellent checking/record keeping software packages available and learn how to use it. In fact, your lender may necessitate that you achieve this.
The toughest inspector at the job site may be you. You're the dog owner. You want to be certain that everything is done not merely to code and plans, but also to your image of the finished house. In the years ahead without a thorough inspection can cost lots of time and money. Here are several of the most important points in the construction process to search for.
Elevation: Ensure that the website has been surveyed, excavated and graded so the house foundation will undoubtedly be at the correct location and height.
Foundation: Verify that the footings and foundation forms are accurately set and of the right size to the program.
Rough-ins: Be sure that any required plumbing or wiring to be installed within the concrete slab or foundation walls are installed in the foundation.
Doors and windows: Check that the correct sizes of openings are designed in to the walls for windows and doors.
Utility runs: Make sure that all plumbing pipes, electrical wiring, HVAC and other utilities are installed in the walls, ceiling and floors correctly before closing up the walls.
Roof flashing: Be sure the roof seal is properly installed for run-off.