Can New Home Builder in CA refuse buyer 3rd party inspection? (Riverside: buying, new construction)

[austin-steve]

Hi,

I have a friend who purchased a new construction (to be built) home SE of Riverside in Riverside County. Frame stage just started and when I asked if he had if his "phase inspection" lined up for pre-sheetrock/insulation, he was unfamiliar with that. I explained why it is a "must do" along with a Final before closing.

He talked to the builder today and the builder said they don't allow it but would consent to a 30 minute "construction quality" walk-through with him. Uh, wow.

Can builders in CA refuse a buyer 3rd-Party inspections on new built homes? In Texas that would never fly, ever. I figured CA would be more consumer friendly than TX.

He's checking the contract itself, but does anyone know if this is standard practice in your area?

Does anyone know a good new home construction code inspector in Riverside County that I can refer to my friend who may be able to deal directly with the builder on his behalf and work it out?

Steve

[escanlan]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

Hi,

I have a friend who purchased a new construction (to be built) home SE of Riverside in Riverside County. Frame stage just started and when I asked if he had if his "phase inspection" lined up for pre-sheetrock/insulation, he was unfamiliar with that. I explained why it is a "must do" along with a Final before closing.

He talked to the builder today and the builder said they don't allow it but would consent to a 30 minute "construction quality" walk-through with him. Uh, wow.

Can builders in CA refuse a buyer 3rd-Party inspections on new built homes? In Texas that would never fly, ever. I figured CA would be more consumer friendly than TX.

He's checking the contract itself, but does anyone know if this is standard practice in your area?

Does anyone know a good new home construction code inspector in Riverside County that I can refer to my friend who may be able to deal directly with the builder on his behalf and work it out?

Steve

Can't help you with a California Inspector but neither California nor Texas have any protective laws for the consumer to force builders to allow new home phased inspections. Even in Texas the Builder can outright refuse to allow inspections. However here they don't typically refuse them but instead make ridiculous requirements to have them. Also some do come right out and tell the buyer they can have all the inspections they want but they (the Builder) will do nothing with them.


Just as an FYI it is never a good idea to have any Third Party consumer's Inspector act as an intermediary in any way. It doesn't matter how good an Inspector they are if the Builder doesn't want them in there it never works out well for the buyer. Also there are really only three people/groups that can force a builder to do anything about substandard construction. One is obviously the Builder themselves. The other is the Local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) handling the permitting and building code inspections. The last is the buyer who has a contract with the Builder to build to at least minimum required standards in that area. Third Party Inspectors have no authority over a Builder and can only properly perform their job and advise the client (the buyer).



Having said that I've done plenty here where the Building Supervisors were just simply outstanding not only in allowing the inspections but making accommodations for them AND correcting valid issues found during them! When I encounter those types I certainly let my clients know they have found a very good Building Supervisor.

[Electrician4you]

While he may be buying the house while it’s being built the house isn’t his. It still belongs to the builder.unless he had extras like additional lighting data or security or sound system options you usually only get a walk through showing the place