The Final Phase of the Building Process: The Final Inspection

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You’re almost to the finish line! Your new home is built…you’re almost ready to move in! But wait…there are a few final hurdles to cross when it comes to inspecting your home. Here are a few important things to know and make sure your home is just where it should be so it is as beautiful structurally as it appears to be.

The Final Inspection

Final inspections are performed five days or a few hours before closing the sale. The main purpose of a final home inspection is to make sure the home is in as good of condition as agreed upon, that repairs were made and no changes have been made that have not been included in the final negotiations.

A good “check list” for a homeowner to perform during a final inspection would include:

• Check every light fixture to see if it is functioning by turning it on and off.
• Check for possible water leaks by opening faucets and looking under sinks.
• Make sure appliances are functioning properly by turning them on and off.
• Inspect door hinges by opening and closing doors and windows.
• Flush toilets to ensure that they are not clogged.
• Check walls, floors and ceilings for cracks or leaks.
• Turn on exhaust fans and garbage disposal.
• Turn on air conditioning and heating to test if they are functioning properly.
• Debris should be removed from the house.

Multiple Inspections

If your homebuilder only gives your new home one inspection, they are doing something drastically wrong! Different experts in different fields need to examine the various areas of your new home.

After a home is built it should be inspected several times. These include:

• Footing Inspection
• Framing Inspection
• Electrical Inspection
• Plumbing Inspection
• Insulation Inspection
• Final Inspection

The “Punch List”

The tasks that need to be completed to satisfy the terms of the contract are frequently referred to as “the punch list.” They are usually a result of the final phases of construction as people walk through the site notice deficiencies that need to be resolved.

Make sure you get your contractor to complete your punch list before you close. Some builders make promises of completing things and then disappear after the contract is complete.

There are many decisions to make as the final stages of the building process of your new home come to a close. Your home inspection is a crucial component to make sure your home is properly constructed. Make sure you keep the important elements in mind so nothing is overlooked during this last phase of the building process.

Decks and Deck Construction: The Nuts and Bolts of a Good Deck

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A deck is a place that can be enjoyed by the whole family. It can surround a pool or just be a place to escape in a grassy backyard. There are a few things to remember as you build your deck to make sure it is properly built and as safe as possible.

Use a Heavy Duty Post

The best type of post to use when building a deck is a 6’x6’ post. This is very secure and will make a safe and sound deck. Many builders use 4’x4’ posts but these simply are not secure enough to hold the weight a deck presents.  When picking materials for your deck, also make sure you select cedar or treated lumber for your deck.

Spacing in Your Deck

You also need to make sure you have proper spacing between the planks on your decks. Typically you would like to have them the width of a 16 penny nail. The reason for this spacing is to allow for the wood to expand and contract. You don’t want the wood to push on each other and cause damage over time.

The Best Place for Your Balusters 

Make sure your balusters are installed correctly. This is frequently overlooked by many builders. Most builders put the balusters on the outside of the railing. This does not leave the railing secure enough to hold the banging and pressure that could be put on them by small children or other things that could push or pound against them. They should be put on the inside of the railing to be as secure as possible.

The Importance of Footing

The footing on the deck is also important. Going four foot into the ground is a good recommendation. It’s very important to have a firm foundation since the deck itself will be heavy and will also hold a lot of weight, too.

Things like post thickness, spacing in your deck, baluster placement, and your footing are all important considerations when you build your deck. When you take into consideration the important safety factors in these aspects of your deck, your family can enjoy it for years to come.

Landscaping Tips for Spring – How to Care For Your Home’s Exterior

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It’s that time of year again when everyone will be seen working on their yard! What exactly does your yard say about you? Is it messy, unkempt and in a total state of disarray? Or has it been meticulously manicured to a level that even glossy magazines couldn’t compete? No matter where you fit on the spectrum of the landscaping scales, there is no question that the exterior appearance of your home is an important one. Too many homeowners neglect to look after the very first noticeable part of their abode – so here’s how to make sure you are not one of them.

Time to Spring Clean Up Last Year’s Messes

That’s right. Very often by the time this year’s snow melts, we tend to find last year’s garden messes all over the place. Maybe that first snowfall was enough to make you hang up the rake and wait it out till the following season, but too often there are many things left behind. Anything from garden tools, piles of left over (and very moldy) mulch or an old garden statue that you meant to put away in the shed before the snow set in – all these things can tend to look very bad after a season of ice and cold. And if you’re in a warmer climate, things sitting in the yard for so long just keep gathering more dirt and grime, making your front (and back) yard look like a major eye sore.

Make a Plan, Check It Twice and Implement It

Many times an over-zealous homeowner will make a trip to the home and garden store, buy everything they see in the main aisles, that are currently being hyped by the store, and then end up back home with no plan in sight as to how to implement it. By carefully reviewing the space you have, taking notice of the areas that need more help than others and realizing where the opportunities lie for you to enhance your outdoor space, you will be in a better position in the long run. Use the help of the technicians and associates at the home and garden store, since they are very well versed with these projects and have a lot more experience.

Invest In Some Help

Unless you are an avid lawn and garden enthusiast, have all the time in the world or are just not too concerned about perfection, it would be a good idea to invest in some help. By hiring a landscaping company to jumpstart the look of your home’s exterior, you will benefit from the high-quality and often expensive equipment that you may not own plus the knowledge and expertise of skilled, quality craftsmen and women. Landscapers also offer a maintenance plan where they come during the week at pre-set times and make sure the lawn is kept up.

Water the Plants, Shrubs and Trees

Thirsty vegetation can be seen from a mile away. Instead of having dry, cracked and brittle brown leaves and grass, be sure to water your lawn, the surrounding leaves and greenery with enough water to sustain it. Whether you install a complex sprinkler system or a purchase a $20 single unite that you need to manually move around throughout the day and weekend, the important thing is that your greens stay green.

Make the Space Pretty, Or At Least Easy on the Eyes

With just a few simple enhancements you can make all the difference in the curb appeal of your home. Retouching the fence paint, trimming the hedges to a reasonable height, removing all extra items, planting seasonal plants and flowers (especially along the walkways) or including interesting garden elements – are all ways to enhance the space.
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As long as you realize that the landscaping of your home is just as important aesthetically as the interior, you will begin to make changes that will improve the overall look and feel of your house. Not only will it be more enjoyable to spend time outdoors, but it will also be a source of pride for you when visitors (and neighbors) comment on the fabulous look you have going!