There are so many things to worry about when you’re buying a new home—you need to make sure that it’s safe, it has enough space, and you like the neighborhood it’s in, just to name a few. But there are other, less obvious factors that you should keep in mind as well, such as the shortcuts contractors may take when constructing your home. Make sure you aren’t caught off guard by these four construction shortcuts that could compromise your new home and cost you later on down the road.
1) Wrong color/style
You finally found the perfect home and you’re ready to move in, but there’s one problem – the construction isn’t quite finished yet. As tempting as it may be to take shortcuts, doing so could jeopardize the quality of your new home. Here are four construction shortcuts to watch out for
-Insufficient insulation or incorrect insulation: Insulation keeps your home at a constant temperature, providing better energy efficiency and comfort. If not installed correctly, an insufficient amount of insulation can lead to mold growth or condensation on windows.
-Faulty electrical wiring: Electrical wiring provides power to every outlet in your house and is critical for safety purposes; if faulty wiring is present during the construction process, a fire can easily start without warning.
2) Low-quality materials
If you’re in the market for a new home, it’s important to be aware of the potential shortcuts that builders may take in order to cut costs. Using low-quality materials is one such shortcut that can have a major impact on your home’s structural integrity and longevity. Not only will cheap materials be more likely to break down or wear out over time, but they can also pose serious safety hazards.
3) Not Enough Windows
When you walk through a new home, one of the first things you should do is check out the windows. Not only are they key to letting in natural light, but they also play a role in ventilation and energy efficiency. If you see that a home doesn’t have enough windows, or that they’re placed oddly, it could be a sign that the builder was trying to cut corners. This could lead to problems down the road, so it’s best to steer clear of homes with sketchy window situations.
4) Poorly planned backyard
When you’re house hunting, it’s easy to get caught up in the cosmetic details and overlook the more important aspects of the home. But if you’re not careful, you could end up with a poorly planned backyard that will be a headache for years to come. Here are four construction shortcuts to watch out for – The first is ensuring there is plenty of outdoor space. You don’t want your only outdoor living space to be a small patio or porch.
– Second, take note of how big the trees around your property are now. If they start growing quickly after you move in, they can become an eyesore or even a safety hazard. Consider hiring an arborist before signing on the dotted line!