Credit to: Green Energy Builders & Solutions / Green Energy Spray Foam Insulation

When you build a new home, common problems include the following:

1. Wood framing is not as tight as it should be, because it is held together by a fastener.  In other words, 2 pieces of wood should be tight together and very strong and then you fasten them to each other.  However, in some new construction for houses the wood is being connected by a 4” to 6” fastener which should not be the case.
2. Private inspectors are being used instead of county inspector.  That is the reason that counties across Florida started sending county inspectors without notice to the jobsite just to investigate the construction process before the finished project.  There is a need for more checks and balances throughout the building process.
3. House concrete pads where the dirt is laid down should be completely compacted more and concrete slabs should be given more time to cure in order to eliminate cracks of the tile after the customer has moved in, which is generally about 6 months from the time construction starts, which is a very small window.
4. Electrical outlets, wires, and boxes are very small (the minimum size) for the building code for residential houses, so if you want to rewire or add any outlets there is not enough room on the electrical box for anything to be installed.
5. Plumbing slope is very bad inside the house.  When you flush toilets or any other utilities, water does not flush to the sewer lines. You have to call a plumber and go to the roof to flush the system.  The size of the drain pipe is wrong and there is NOT enough slope, if any, to let the water go to the sewer drain.
6. Roof trusses may be sitting on an interior door frame, with the headers built with the layers of wood lying on top of each other instead of side by side. This puts pressure on the headers, bending it down and not providing enough support for the roof truss.

Homeowners put a lot of trust in a new home builder, but the trust may be misplaced. Have an independent architect, builder or inspector who can inspect the building plans, schedule for construction, and be a check and balance. Unfortunately, most home builders will prohibit a third party to be involved. Importantly, have a real estate attorney review your contract for your rights and duties and do not feel pressured to agree to the builder’s unilateral terms.