In the aftermath of your move, it's essential to be prepared to identify and address any issues that may arise in your newly built home. Builders often require homeowners to provide a list of problems they encounter after moving in. While some builders request this within 30 days, others extend the timeframe to 60 or 90 days. Regardless of the timeline, it's advisable to avoid calling your builder with the list. Instead, communicate via mail or email to ensure that these concerns are accurately conveyed. Keep in mind that the person answering the phone might not be the one handling callbacks. (snagging)
Additionally, you might be required to submit another list around the eleventh month of your occupancy, just before your builder's one-year work warranty expires. By this point, your home should have settled, and issues like popped nails or creaky floors attributed to settling and shrinkage should have diminished.
It's important to recognize that most issues you encounter will likely be minor inconveniences that you can tolerate until they're addressed. Small cracks in concrete, windows or doors that don't close perfectly, and similar cosmetic imperfections won't greatly affect your quality of life. On the contrary, significant structural defects requiring immediate attention are exceedingly rare in new homes.
According to National Gamble Chief Paul Thomas, only about 1% of new homes covered by their 10-year warranties encounter major issues. This accounts for just 10 homes out of every 1,000 constructed—a proportion similar to homes experiencing significant fire damage.
Following your move, it's essential to read the manual or documentation that many builders provide to guide you in caring for your new home. This includes information on when and how to change air and water filters, why the lot slopes away from the house for drainage purposes, and why altering it could be detrimental. Reviewing the documentation provided by your builder will not only help you turn your house into a home but can also spare you considerable frustration down the road.
Lexington Homes, for instance, furnishes buyers with a 38-page "Homeowner's Manual" upon agreeing to a purchase arrangement. This comprehensive guide, titled "Your Guide to Using and Maintaining Your Lexington Home," is also accessible online on the company's website, much like Pulte's resources for home care, periodic maintenance, and warranty guidance. The Lexington manual, as Benjamin Benach, points out, "covers everything." While most people may not read it cover to cover initially, they often keep it handy for future reference.
When you identify items that require repair or attention, inquire about the timeframe for fixes. Schedule a firm appointment time or at least a time range. This accounts for potential traffic or preceding appointments, which might influence the duration of the job.
Your home is likely your most significant investment, and most builders recognize and respect that. Just like in other aspects of life, emotions can run high if appointments are missed or items on your checklist appear to be neglected. Contact your builder and seek clear responses or request an inspection.
It's crucial to bear in mind that your builder is likely constructing numerous homes (sometimes hundreds) annually in your locality. A prudent builder understands that the company's reputation for quality, timely responses, and addressing checklist items is paramount to success. (new home checklist)
In case you miss an appointment or experience delays in receiving a promised repair, communicate the facts to your builder. Tune Smith of Anthem Smith Residence, a consulting firm in Colorado Springs that specializes in improving builder customer service, offers invaluable advice: Be precise, remain composed, and maintain courtesy. Persistence coupled with factual information is likely to yield positive responses from builders.
Like most businesses, builders value positive feedback. Providing a clear request along with the facts often suffices. If not, consider reaching out to your local Home Builders Association (HBA) if your builder is a member or your regional Better Business Bureau.
In most cases, the items on your checklist and any issues identified in subsequent inspections will be addressed with minimal hassle. If persistent problems persist, do not hesitate to voice your concerns. Request to speak with a manager or the owner of the construction company.
If the issue pertains to an appliance or product manufactured by a third-party and installed by your builder or contractor, it might be wise to contact the product manufacturer or local retailer/supplier. This route often proves effective. Additionally, recall those owner's manuals? Most of them offer insights into the warranty process for the various products integrated into your new home.
While not always flawless, the final inspection, checklist, and builder's warranty process can offer protection that might be lacking in older homes. Buyers of homes that are 10, 15, or 20 years old might encounter their unique challenges but lack the warranty assurances that new construction homes provide. (μασαζ κατ οικον)