Inexpensive Home Building

Cut through the jargon and nonsense of home building and house construction by starting from zero dollars and trying to figure best-value bang-for-your-buck when choosing construction methods or construction materials. My research might answer some of your questions and at other times perhaps you have the knowledge or experience to post the answers to my questions and thereby help others too. The goal is an affordable and sustainable home for all.


Saturday, November 11, 2006

Punchlist Home Inspection: How To Do

A "punch list" is the list of mistakes that you find after the house is supposed to be "turn key" finished (ready to move in)--a list of things that make you want to punch the contractor.

Do it. Do it right.
  • Do not rush.
  • Do not be too "nice" (a pushover).
  • Do not rely on anyone's "preferred" inspectors: House problems mean a lower price which means a lower commission for your realtor, so some people consider "preferred" inspectors to be a list of whom NOT to pick from the Yellow Pages.
  • Do not trust your "professional" inspector completely: Check all structural items and at least spot check other "already inspected" items.
  • Bring a 3-prong outlet tester, nightlight, and light bulb to check every socket.
  • Move furniture/equipment (carefully), or have it moved, to leave no spot unchecked (people like to hide damage).
  • Ask questions.
  • Treat anything that cannot be answered as broken.
  • Treat anything that cannot be checked as broken.
  • Treat anything "to be done later" as "broken" (unavailable).
  • Realize that previously OK items can be broken while installing/fixing other things.
  • Pick everyone's brain for both initial and regular maintenance tips.
  • You only look stupid if you fork over several hundred thousand dollars on blind faith.

http://thehousingbubbleblog.com/?p=1803

http://myopenwallet.blogspot.com/2006/10/closing-punchlist-visit.html

http://www.hadd.com/websites.php

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/personal-finance/shoddy-home-construction-104/overview/index.htm

http://soapbox.millersamuel.com/?p=264