HawthorneVillager.com

Kori has been a thorn in my side since forever. She's a miserable woman who needs to change careers. If I just listened to her I'd be depressed.

In all honesty, I recommend getting an inspector for the 30 day, when you have been able to live in the house for a bit. During the PDI, conduct your own inspection. I have a PDI checklist if anyone wants a copy.

Thats great!!! Thanks Jdub!!

You should be aware that the Pre Delivery Inspection ( PDI ) is the worst time to do a "new home inspection". The PDI is a cosmetic inspection only. It is also the time to confirm that you have the upgrades that you ordered.

If you do take "a professional" with you for your PDI, then have them check the issues that are relevant during that process that you may miss or not be aware of. That is - if they know what they are doing. We have a specific service called PDI Assist that covers PDI issues.

For example - carpet seams have specific requirements. If they look bad then these requirements must be checked to confirm if the issue should be noted or not.

Another example - The PDI is the only time that you can identify "cupping" or "crowning" of hardwood floors. This must, specifically be identified during the PDI. Often this is missed or the owner says something like the floor looks funny, or that the floor does not look right. This is often dismissed by the PDI Rep yet it can be a serious problem that has brought some new home buyers to tears.

In conclusion - the PDI is the wrong time to perform a "New Home Warranty Inspection" because you need to focus on issues that are relevant during that process.

Why,

1) because the Home Inspection is an interactive service that should be done with you, the home owner. Your inspector should not be off looking at things while you are looking for scratches on your kitchen counter. Besides, a proper home inspection takes at least 3 to 4 hours.

2) because you have not lived in the home yet or used the washrooms, toilets etc., so there is no point in looking for leaks below washrooms. Often small leaks below washrooms and or toilets are not visible without infrared technology. Often these leaks are small and the washroom / toilet would need to be used regularly prior to the inspection for evidence to be found.

3) You are not required to identify many issues during the PDI like code violations, poor workmanship issues, roof problems, etc. so why focus on things that are not important at that time.

If you are going to book a professional inspection, then that should be done well in advance so that the inspector can ask you do do some things in preparation for the inspection.

You should do a 30 day inspection, or a one year inspection, or both.

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For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

Sorry but without seeing the home and knowing what exterior siding is being used it would be hard for me to come to any conclusions. However, it would be a very odd situation for a builder to miss or forget to install insulation in or on exterior walls. Whether the insulation is visible or not would depend on what stage the construction is in and what siding material is being used.

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For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

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Nooooooo, I dont give a sh*t about what you say about me

Like I said in my previous post, hiring a Home Inspector to do a "Home Inspection" during the PDI is not a good idea, BUT, if you hire a Home Inspector to help you with the PDI then that could be a worthwhile investment. However, the Builders rep who tried to talk you out of hiring someone to help you through the PDI process probably had her own self serving agenda that tramples your rights as a new home buyer.

A few important points here.

1) The New Home Warranty Act in Ontario clearly states that the builder must warranty to the owner that the home -

a) is constructed in a workmanlike manner manner and is free from defects in materials.

b) that the home be constructed in accordance to the Ontario Building Code.

c) and as per Tarion - the Builder must adhere to all the Construction Performance Guidelines that are posted on Tarions website.

2) Tarion suggests to builders the the PDI should last approximately one hour for every one thousand square feet of home. IE - If the home is 2000 square feet then the PDI should last 2 hours.

3) Taking someone ( a designate ) with you to help you identify problems during the PDI is your absolute right. A "designate" is defined as a Inspector, architect, or any other professional that you choose to help you with the PDI. You can have the Designate conduct the PDI if you can not attend the PDI ( not a good idea ) or you can take the Designate with you. If you plan to send a Designate, should you be absent, then the Appointment of Designate (AOD) form needs to be filled in prior to the PDI.

If you choose to take the Designate / Inspector with you, then you are allowed to do so, and you do not need the Builders permission.

Quote from Tarions Appointment of Designate form-

"Purchasers who wish to attend the PDI and sign documents on their own behalf may also bring a Designate and, evidence of Designation authorization will not be necessary.

The Appointment of Designate form is here

For some customer comments and information on our services read here, and here.

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For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

Count me in.

+1

So, Doil7777, will you be following up with Andy toarrange? At least for the January closings?

Some people have inquired about group buy discounts on New Home Warranty Inspections. I am not offering discounts at this time and likely never will.

Instead I have just kept my rates as low as possible and when I go out of town to Brampton, Cambridge, Stoney Creek etc, I do charge additional travel fees.

The bottom line is that I already offer a group discount and that group is the new home buyers in Milton.

My service includes the use of Infra-Red technology that often reveals issues that can't be seen otherwise.

Fortunately, I have inspected over a thousand homes and, as a result, my lists are accurate and detailed. Energy Star equipment like HRV's are fully inspected and explained.

Each inspection is done with the client and usually it takes 3.5 to 4 hours.

IMHO - While I do offer a unique PDI Assist Service for $199. I think people are capable of doing their own PDI, but if you would like some advice feel free to call me. The PDI is a cosmetic inspection only and it is not the time to worry about or inspect the roof, structure, insulation, ducts, or anything else like that. At the PDI your only concern should be that chip on the kitchen cabinet, the dent in the front door, that crappy paint job in the hall, that scratch in the tub, etc.

You should have a 30 day inspection or a One Year Inspection or a 30 Day Inspection with a One Year Review. I charge less to "Review" a home that I have already inspected. During a One Year Review I do not just blindly repeat the inspection process. My focus is Roof, Exterior, Attic, some structural, furnace, some electrical, checking for evidence of leaks under sinks, use Infra-Red, etc.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each inspection.

- A 30 Day Inspection will bring issues to your and your builders attention early on. You will learn about your home sooner, and if there are serious issues then they will be resolved faster. The disadvantage of this inspection is that often many exterior issues are not complete at this time. Plus, the home is still very new and no historical evidence of issues will be available. The bottom line, is that new issues can develop in the first year. This is why a One Year Review is sometimes a good idea.

- A One Year Inspection can be more productive because the home and all exterior issues will be finished and settled in. The disadvantage is that some homes go a full year with significant problems.

My prices for local inspections are posted on my website at http://www.haltoninspections.com. The fee is plus HST and payable by cheque.

For additional information check out my "Sticky Ad" at this link -

http://www.hawthornevillager.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=11610&sid=c24ce1c65dbd2e7653110ce7efa0c19f

Or, for loads of information and common new home defects check out my regular ad at this link -

http://www.hawthornevillager.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=19393&highlight=ordinary

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For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

I highly recommend Andy Shaw! He did my PDI, 30days and 1 year. He saved me thousands in future repairs if they were not caught early. He also did the 30 days inspection for my neighbours (the whole block!). Very professional!

count me in plz

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NADEEM SIDDIQUI, Broker
IPRO Realty, Inc. Brokerage

Thanks rrknight for this very generous comment.

Andy

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For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

Doil thanks for sharing.

i would defo be on board with that,,,