When it comes to buying just about anything, there’s always an argument in favor of buying something brand-new as opposed to something previously owned. Whether it’s clothing, a vehicle, or a house, buying brand-new is supposed to come with some guarantees, including less maintenance and fewer worries. New construction homes, for example, are theoretically free from major problems for at least a little while, allowing you time to just enjoy living there.
Unfortunately, any newly built house can actually be a secret fixer-upper. New doesn’t necessarily mean high-quality, and builders can (and do) cut corners in terms of materials and installation. Workers who are being rushed from house to house will take shortcuts, and builders pressed to show a profit may choose lower-quality stuff without being transparent about it. It can be difficult to spot the signs of a new-build fixer-upper, however, because the newness and freshness of the finishes can mask quality or installation issues. But there are some relatively subtle things you can look for.
Missing screws
A subtle sign that the builder has cheaped out on your new house? Missing screws. Look at hinges, light fixtures, wall plates—anywhere screws are used to attach something. If the piece has four screw holes but only two screws were used, for example, that strongly indicates a rushed crew sweeping through the place as quickly as possible, or a cash-strapped builder trying to save some money on materials. Either way, it’s a sign that you’re going to be providing a lot of screws yourself when you take possession.
Multiple nail pops
Nail and screw pops—where the nail or screw head rises a little, deforming the drywall—aren’t uncommon, even in new construction. As the lumber used in framing the home dries out, it can push screws and nails out a little. If you notice a handful of pops in the house it’s probably normal, and the builder can (and should) fix them all before you move in.
If you see a lot of nail pops throughout the house, that’s a problem. It likely indicates that the wood used to frame the walls wasn’t seasoned and dried properly, a sign that the builder was rushing through projects. Fixing nail pops isn’t difficult (and the builder should definitely do so), but it’s a troubling sign that should make you take a closer look.
Other signs of sloppy work
It might seem obvious, but if you see sloppy work throughout a newly built house, it’s an enormous red flag. The thing about sloppy work is that it’s sometimes hard to spot, especially if the finishes are dazzling. A few relatively subtle signs of sloppy work to watch for include:
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Paint. Look closely at the paint on the walls—holidays, visible brush strokes, or inconsistent color mean a sloppy job.
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Caulk. Caulk is deceptively difficult to apply—easy to apply badly, difficult to apply cleanly. If the caulk around tubs, windows, and other areas looks like someone used a butter knife to slop it everywhere, you know more than you want to about the builder’s work ethic.
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Drywall. Look at the walls—can you see the tape covering the seams? Are there large areas patched with an enormous amount of joint compound (that will never dry)? You might not notice these things if you just breeze through the room, but once you notice them you’ll probably see them throughout the place.
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Miter cuts. If the home has molding along the floors or ceilings, miter cuts (angled cuts to create a seamless look as the molding bends around corners and obstructions) were used. They should be perfect—if they’re out of line (or if the builder skipped them entirely and simply butted two pieces of molding together at a 90-degree angle) that’s an indication the rest of the work is poor.
Cracks
As houses settle, you’ll naturally get a few cracks in the walls, especially around windows and doors. If these cracks are thin and either vertical or horizontal, they’re most likely harmless and just need a quick patch. But if you notice larger, diagonal (or “staircase”-shaped) cracks, especially around windows and doorways, you should be concerned. They could be a sign of a more serious foundation problem, and you should probably consider either hiring a professional to inspect the place or walking away from it.
Broken drawers
When you’re touring a newly built house, pay attention to the kitchen. Kitchens are expensive, and one of the first places builders try to save money on a new construction home. If the cabinets and appliances look nice but feel cheap, it’s a sign that you should be paying close attention to all the details.
While you’re in the kitchen (and the bathrooms, too), make sure to open the drawers and cabinet doors. If they stick, wobble, or otherwise malfunction, it’s a sign of cheap materials or very sloppy installation. Considering the importance of the kitchen in a home, it’s reasonable to conclude that if the builder couldn’t be bothered to do a good job in that room, they probably didn’t do a good job anywhere else in the house.
Grouted corners
Look in the showers and at the kitchen counters and backsplashes. Anywhere two planes meet—walls meeting floors, walls meeting other walls—should be sealed with caulk, not grout. Walls and floors shift slightly over time, and caulk is designed to be flexible enough to compensate, maintaining a watertight seal. Grout is brittle, and will crack easily if used in corners, eventually breaking up. The fix is pretty easy—remove the grout, apply the caulk—but if you see this in a new build, the installers were either incompetent or in a rush, neither of which is ideal for your new house.
Bad flooring
It’s easy to be distracted by beautiful new floors that have been shined up, but take a closer look for signs of shoddy work:
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Uneven gaps between wood planks
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Cracking grout between tiles (or cracked tiles!)
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Glue residue or visible nail heads (sure signs of rushed and sloppy work)
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Sloping—if you feel like you’re sliding downhill when you walk through a room, check if the floor is level. If not, it could be improper installation of the floor or subfloor, or a much, much bigger problem.
Ponding water
Always walk around the exterior of the house, and always try to view a new house directly after a rainstorm so you can see how the property drains. If you see water ponding near the house, that’s a sign that the yard wasn’t graded properly. As a result, water is collecting up against the house instead of draining away, and will eventually cause problems for your foundation and structure.
While you’re out there, look at the gutters and downspouts to make sure they’re directing water away from the house. And if you see any ponding water, take a trip to the basement to see if there’s standing water down there as well. If so, that’s a problem you’re going to have to deal with for years to come.
Not enough outlets
You might not think you can save a lot of money by cutting small corners, but if the home’s builder is working on large developments and building dozens of houses at a time, small savings can add up. One dirty way builders can cheap out is to use less electrical wiring throughout the house. There’s always a minimum number of outlets that should adhere to, but that minimum is pretty sparse, especially today when we all have so many devices and appliances that need power. Count outlets in every room and imagine everything you’ll need to plug in. If those two numbers don’t match up reasonably well, you’re not just buying a house. You’re buying a future electrician’s bill.
This articles is written by : Nermeen Nabil Khear Abdelmalak
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