The latest building boom and unprecedented rise in home ownership has left in its wake, a “mixed bag” of construction defects and disillusioned homeowners. In order to better understand this latest round in American homeownership, we need to look at some important distinctions. New home construction is a business. It is not a public service. Cost effectiveness means different things to different builders. The one-thing builders and developers have in common is that they want to turn out a product that looks impressive and will please the consumer. Today, what pleases the consumer is BIG. They want a big home. Big rooms. Big kitchen. Big garage. Big. They also want low maintenance, and low headaches. Today’s homeowner has BIG expectations.

To satisfy rising expectations, the builders all “guarantee” their work. This is usually called a warranty. At the walk-through, the builder’s representative walks the buyer through the building and invites them to place a piece of blue masking tape on anything they don’t like. This is where the disillusionment usually starts. Nearly all of the buyer’s complaints are “cosmetic”. They don’t go up on the roof. They don’t go in the attic. They don’t open the front of the main electric service panel or sub panel(s). They don’t drain all of the plumbing fixtures at the same time. They don’t test receptacles. In short, there is much that is not evaluated. What the buyer does NOT know is key. What they don’t know helps make them satisfied with their purchase. If they only knew more, there would be far less disillusionment and better products constructed.

As an inspector, I work methodically, systematically and accurately. As an advocate, I work for the person paying my fee. You! There is a huge difference between finding fact and finding fault. The truth always wins, eventually. Fact-finding and truth documentation is key to homeownership. You may or may not be able to force the builder to “fix” defects, but you will know the truth about your investment. Please note that many homeowners do not know vital information about their property until they attempt to sell it. I have witnessed further shock and disillusionment on the faces of homeowners when they are in escrow with a prospective buyer. Depending on market conditions, the homeowners may find themselves taking a surprise “bath” in negotiations. Get the truth about your home, regardless of the circumstances.

Construction Defect Services Available:

1. Full, written report performed to ASHI standards. This report can be used as a pre-sale inspection for a real estate transaction. Please see “sample report” to view an actual report. Digital photography and accurate text descriptions combine to provide effective documentation of construction defects and “reportable conditions”.

2. Warranty Inspections. Usually performed at the “11 month” mark, these inspections are the final chance a homeowner has to document the building’s condition before finishing the critical 1-year relationship with the builder/developer. These inspections are very strategic and very important. Effective, professional documentation of the building’s true condition can often times be the difference between builder indifference and builder compliancy.

3. Oral consultation with digital slideshow. This is for the property owner that wants facts but doesn’t need written documentation. The service reviews all of the visible components of the building. The photos are compiled on a disc and given to the client on-site.

4. Limited inspections. Geared mainly for the property owner that wants further review of a specific issue or area. Whether it is the roof, exterior cladding, moisture intrusion, insulation or other areas of concern, Integrity can step up with the initial evaluation you need.

5. Intrusive (destructive) inspections. As a licensed general contractor, Integrity is prepared to carefully open up a wall cavity or other hidden area to investigate further.

6. Infrared Thermography. This camera is very valuable for “further review” without removing components or material. Moisture intrusion, missing insulation, separated air ducts, over-heated electric circuits and building “envelope” defects are often discovered with this advanced “tool”.

7. National Networking. As an experienced construction defect expert for an organization in Washington, DC, Dale McNutt has the knowledge to effectively document defects that affect your investment. While you learn that “you are not alone” in the condition of your property, you also learn that you deserve and get the most focused attention possible in the analysis of your building.

The granite, the stainless, the upgraded floor covering, the high ceilings and crown molding often help hide the true soundness of a building. If the ceiling is water damaged or the floor tile is cracked or the baseboard is stained dark at the bottom, these amenities are quickly obscured. Integrity is available to provide thorough evaluation for a number of building systems and components and applications.

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