What Should I Expect From a Final Home Inspection?

Answered by Brett ~ November 14th, 2011 | 1 Comment » | Respond to this question

What is the inspector looking for when doing a final building inspection on a residential home before obtaining a certificate of occupancy?

Carrie B. ~ Miami, FL

Brett Kulina

Carrie, in most areas a certificate of occupancy (CO)  is issued by the local building department to show that a residence has been built, or remodeled, in accordance with its approved plans and any applicable building codes. At its most basic, a certificate of occupancy is a written document that indicates a structure is in a livable condition and meets the requirements as set forth by your local building department. In some cases, it may be necessary to obtain a CO prior to selling, renting, or taking out a mortgage on a home.

Prior to issuing a CO in Miami, you can expect the building department to inspect your home in order to confirm that the house has been built according to your approved building plans and meets all aspects of the South Florida Building Code.  In some cases, such as a residential remodel that costs less than $15,000, the building department will issue a certificate of completion rather than a certificate of occupancy, which may or may not require a home inspection. When you received approval for your building plans, you may have been given a list of the required inspections, which should detail what the building inspector will be looking for when inspecting your home.

In general, newly constructed homes are inspected to verify code compliant HVAC systems, plumbing and electrical systems, building envelope, and for fire penetration. Keep in mind that in Miami, you also have the opportunity to apply for a temporary certificate of occupancy, which could allow you to live in your new home prior to the absolute completion of all construction. Most of the responsibility for obtaining your CO should fall to your general contractor, who needs to be present at all building inspections so that you can get your CO without delay.

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One Response to “What Should I Expect From a Final Home Inspection?”

  1. Building Inspectors Sydney Building Inspectors Sydney says:
    November 23, 2011 at 3:05 am

    A building inspection is performed by a person who is employed by either a city, township or county and is usually certified in one or more disciplines, either as a residential or commercial building inspector, a plumbing, electrical or mechanical inspector or other specialty to inspect structures at different stages of completion. Most building inspectors employed by governments are certified by the State or the International Code Council. These inspections are done to assure compliance with whatever building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical or specialty codes, such as swimming pool codes, that are being enforced by the jurisdiction in which they work. There are many categories and levels of ICC certified inspectors. Building inspectors are often contacted by strata managers or body corporate with stormwater design issues, structural design proposals or civil design modifications. In addition, individuals are often required by councils to carry out dilapidation reports and building inspections of adjoining properties and associated council properties before and after construction, to establish that no damage has occurred due to the work carried out.

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