Why it's important to consider inspections when building or buying a new home

County building inspectors are supposed to ensure a home is constructed correctly, but we saw in Chatham County where an inspector made major mistakes. Jason Vernier says some of the problems trace back to big builders relying on an ever-changing roster of subcontractors.

Posted 9:55 p.m. Mar 4 — Updated 9:55 p.m. Mar 4

Pritchard Strong

, WRAL consumer producer

RALEIGH, N.C. — Leaks, cracking drywall and separated or uneven floors are not problems you expect in a new home, but all complaints 5 On Your Side has gotten.

County building inspectors are supposed to ensure a home is constructed correctly, but we saw in Chatham County where an inspector made major mistakes.

Jason Vernier says some of the problems trace back to big builders relying on an ever-changing roster of subcontractors.

"Because of that constant turnover, it's good to be able to, to check your builder," Vernier said.

To do that, Vernier says there are three key times to consider getting a new house inspected.

"It's good to have that pre drywall inspection," Vernier said. "That is the framings up the foundations in, let's have a good walkthrough to make sure nothing's gonna be hidden inside those walls."

The second is at closing and the third is 11 months after you've lived there.

"I would say 90% of all builders offer a 12-month warranty with all of their homes," Vernier said. "So at that 11-month mark, we're gonna go back into the attic, check the roof, again, those kinds of areas to see if anything's broken or damaged."

That gives you time to file a warranty claim. And even if nothing is found...

"Homes don't come with an operating manual, right?" Vernier said.

It's a detailed look under the hood of the biggest investment most families will make.

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