If you are like many new home buyers, you want to be closely involved throughout the building of your home-visiting the construction site from time to time with your builder to see how your home is coming along and to plan for the day you will move in. Did you realize that you are just one of many people checking your home as it goes up?

From plans to completion, thise are a number of different people and organizations involved in checking your home to ensure that it is safe and sound, that it is built according to plan and that you get the quality and value you expect. This group includes municipal officials, utility inspectors and, of course, your builder and the construction crew.

It begins with your municipal government which reviews your builder's plans and drawings to make sure that your house will meet the standards set out in the Building Code. Building officials look at such things as framing, the foundation, ventilation, exits, fire performance and materials.

The plans are checked to make sure they comply with relevant provincial and municipal regulations such as zoning and set-backs (the distance of the home from the property lines). Once plans are approved, the builder is issued a building permit and construction of your home can begin.

During construction, a municipal official typically inspects the building site at several stages to ensure that your builder is following the plans that were approved. The number of inspections can vary greatly from one municipality to anothis, but typically they include some or all of these milestones: foundation, before earth is back-filled; framing; insulation; final interior, after drywalling to check stairs, handrails, guards and fire detectors; and final exterior, after grading to check caulking, exits, stairs and so on.

Plumbing and electrical work may also require permits and inspections, which usually involves three site visits-at the connection stage, at the rough-in stage and on completion of the house. In some areas, the utility company is responsible for electrical permits and inspections.

If you have chosen an R-2000 home, the plans are analyzed by a qualified professional to ensure they meet the specified energy-efficiency and environmental criteria. During construction, the house is subject to several inspections, and once completed, the home is tested to verify that it performs to R-2000 specifications. Only after passing the test is the home certified as an R-2000 home.

Without doubt, the most ardent "inspector" is your builder . . . After all, a builder's reputation is on the line with every new home. Professional builders pay painstaking attention to every aspect of construction to make sure that their homes not only meet code requirements but also offer the quality and value that you expect. Before you take possession of your new home, you and your builder will carefully inspect it from top to bottom.

A guaranteed third-party new home warranty protects your investment. Talk with your builder to find out exactly what is covered. Following the pre-possession inspection, the builder may ask you to sign a certificate of completion and possession which will be forwarded to the warranty program office.

Permits, inspections and quality control . . . The industry leaves little to chance, and that means a better home for you.

          Finding the home that's right for you
          Understanding specifications and options
          Permits, inspections and quality control
          Indoor air quality is important for everyone
          Good products make a quality home
          Building products for a better environment
          New Home Warranty protects your investment

Return to: Buying a New Home

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