What Will You Be Purchasing?

Protect your investment by ordering your Phase Inspection today

214-328-8331

I offer a Seven-Part Phase Inspection for new construction that complies to the current International Residential Code (IRC) and International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) along with the guidelines from the Texas Department of Insurance

These generally exceed the local building inspection departments’ standards. Other trades persons often alter, bore, cut, and notch structural materials to get their systems installed. All of this is done after the City Building Inspection Department or Authority Having Jurisdiction has issued the Foundation and Framing “Green Tag”.  Other defects not limited to but including items that allow moisture intrusion may also be built into your home. These defects compromise the integrity of your home and have been documented in total loss of entire properties and the monies invested!

Depending on time of notification the 7 inspections are broken down into:

1. Subterranean Utilities
2. Foundation Form to Pour
3. First Framing
4. Roof-Windows-Dry In
5. All Utilities Rough-First Exterior Finishes
6. Final Framing-Second Exterior Finishes-Insulation
7. Final Inspection of finished Structure-Electrical-Mechanical-Plumbing Systems-Appliances and Optional Equipment that is contracted for inspection

Typically included systems:

• Structural
• Foundation
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Mechanical
• Appliances 

Optional systems:

• Gas
• Swimming Pool
• Hot tub
• Lawn sprinklers
• Out buildings
• Outdoor cooking equipment
• Water wells
• Septic
• Security
• Fire protection
• Features unique to a particular property

TRCC Standards

From the Texas Department of Insurance

Phase Inspection Guidelines

Under normal circumstances, at least four separate categories of structural inspections will be necessary to determine compliance with the applicable building construction requirements. Inspections shall be requested prior to the installation of any type of covering which would impede my inspections. In order to inspect all fastener patterns, the number of inspections may exceed four; a charge will be assessed for each inspection(s). I add 2 (two) more inspections to cover all of the items not listed below and the 7th Final Inspection upon completion.

The four categories shall be as follows:

1. FOUNDATION - Inspections for slab on grade foundations shall be requested after placement of reinforcement, but prior to pouring of concrete. Inspections for pile foundations shall be requested during driving of the piles. Inspections for pier and beam foundations shall be requested prior to the installation of floor members, which would impede my thorough inspection.

The following are the major items, which will be examined during the foundation inspection:

• Monolithic Slab on Grade Foundation:

a. Reinforcement of slab.

b. Type of anchor bolts.

c. Placement of holddown anchors.

d. Dowels for masonry construction.

e. Offsets for masonry or masonry veneer walls (proper brick ledge).

• Piling Foundation:

a. Embedment of piles.

b. Size and spacing of piles.

c. Concrete piles properly reinforced.

d. Wood piles properly pressure treated.

e. Anchorage of beams to piles.

f. Size of beams.

g. Floor joist span, size, and spacing.

h. Anchorage of floor joists to beams.

i. Height of lowest structural member.

• Pier and Beam Foundation:

a. Proper size and depth of buried footings.

b. Proper size of piers.

c. Reinforcement of piers.

d. Reinforced concrete or grout fill in hollow masonry units.

e. Size of Beams.

f. Anchorage of sills or beams to piers, and piers to footings.

g. Floor joist span, size, and spacing.

h. Anchorage of floor joists to beams and/or sills.

i. Treatment of beams with wood preservative, where required.

Where applicable BUILDING CODE FOR WINDSTORM RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION Amendments Effective April 1, 2001

2. ROUGH FRAMING - The Rough Framing inspections should be requested prior to the installation of any type of covering which would keep the inspector from being able to verify the required connector or fastener patterns.

The following are the major items, which will be examined during the rough framing inspection:

• Floor Framing:

a. Floor joist span, size, and spacing.

b. Floor decking type and application.

• Wood Stud Wall Framing:

a. Spacing of sole plate anchors in exterior and interior walls.

b. Proper size of washers.

c. Sole plate pressure treated.

d. Grade and seasoning (moisture content) of lumber.

e. Size and spacing of studs.

f. Anchorage provided by framing anchors.

g. Anchorage of studs to plates (top and bottom).

h. Construction and anchorage of headers.

i. Installation and location of lateral wall bracing.

j. Bracing of fireplace chimney.

k. Anchorage of second story to the first story.

l. Anchorage of beams, if required.

• Masonry Walls:

a. Size and spacing of vertical reinforcement.

b. Size and placement of bond beam reinforcement.

c. Length of shearwalls.

d. Construction and span of lintels.

e. Masonry wall connections.

• Ceiling Framing:

a. Bracing of gable endwall, if required.

• Roof Framing:

a. Roof joists or rafters (spans, sizes, and spacing).

b. Bracing and anchoring of roof joists and rafters.

c. Installation of collar ties.

d. Anchorage of rafters and joists to top plate.

e. Roof truss design, construction, installation, and anchorage.

f. Roof decking type and application.

g. Fastening of roofing underlayment.

Where applicable BUILDING CODE FOR WINDSTORM RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION Amendments Effective April 1, 2001

• Miscellaneous:

a. Construction of awnings, overhangs and porches.

b. Installation and design of windows.

c. Installation and design of doors and garage doors.

3. FINAL FRAMING - The final framing inspection should be requested prior to installation of insulation and concealment of fastener patterns of exterior coverings and roof coverings. Reroofing inspections will also fall into this category.

The following are the major items, which will be examined during the final framing inspection:

a. Knee braces installed, if required by design.

b. Attachments to foundation below flood level.

c. Alterations in structural members.

d. Type and fastening of wall sheathing or other exterior wall finish.

e. Type and spacing of masonry anchors.

f. Application of roof covering.

g. Installation of roof vents.

h. Venting of attic space.

i. Installation or presence of window protection, if required.

j. Installation of gypsum sheathing board, if gypsum diaphragms are required.

4. MECHANICAL INSPECTION - The mechanical inspection should be requested when all outside mechanical equipment has been anchored (where applicable), particularly air conditioner condensers. This inspection may be performed at the time of the final framing inspection if the outside mechanical equipment is secured at that time. The major item(s), which will be examined during the mechanical equipment inspection, is anchorage of exterior air conditioner equipment. However, anchorage (where applicable) of any other exterior equipment, such as floodlights, turbine vents, propane tanks, swimming pool filters, water-cooling towers, and satellite dishes will also be inspected.

To schedule appointments or if you have any questions concerning the timing of inspections, or concerning the construction guidelines, you are encouraged to contact the inspector.

I strongly encourage you to accompany the inspector so that you may ask questions and gain a better understanding of the systems in the home.

INDUSTRY ESTIMATES THAT 85% OF ALL NEW HOMES HAVE DEFECTS 15% MAY BE MAJOR

By Don McGonagil, Columnist Saturday, 15 July 2006

Protect your investment Whether you’re building a new home or buying an existing one, hire an experienced real estate lawyer and a qualified home inspector. An attorney should review your contract before you sign it, and also any home warranty. Builders sometimes warranty home systems, but not all states regulate the warranty programs or post bonds to secure performance. Make sure the purchase contract includes an inspection contingency and clauses that protect you. New home problems Industry estimates claim that nearly 85 percent of all new homes have defects, and 15 percent of these homes may have serious problems, including faulty foundations, dangerous moisture intrusion and inadequate framing. Often these problems show up months or even years after the buyer has moved in and the builder has moved on. Many of these new starter castles will be lucky to survive their mortgage. Experts agree that the fast pace of construction is a cause. They point to several other contributing factors. The success of the luxury home building market has been phenomenal. Favorable interest rates have made trophy homes more affordable to the moderately wealthy. Dealing with problems in newly-built homes Builders are under pressure to keep costs down so homes are affordable and profitable. Demands for energy efficiency and environmentally-sound products mean that homes today are more complicated to build.   The potential for serious defects in newer homes makes it imperative for homebuyers to be vigilant before they sign a contract or go to closing. If you’re building a new home, research your builder by consulting your local Better Business Bureau for a complaint history. Most importantly, talk to residents of other housing developments by the same builder. All new houses have problems. What is important is how the builder handles them. If you’ve already bought or built and think you have a serious problem, give the builder a chance to fix it, but don’t let warranties or statutes expire while you wait. Document your complaints with photos, copies of written agreements, and warranties and a home inspection. Follow up with state building and regulatory authorities if the builder fails to deliver. As a last resort, contact a lawyer who specializes in construction-defect lawsuits. Your local bar association can help you find one. Don McGonagil can be reached at thehomeinspectioncompany.com http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section_id=11&screen=news&news_id=50968