For New Construction:
- Getting Started
- New Home Inspection Agreement (PDF)
- New Home Inspection Agreement for Punch List or Warranty only (PDF)
- New Home Inspection Prices
New Construction Inspection Samples (click below):
To: Individuals Having a New Home Built
From: Len Gluckstal, President
Golden Rule Home Inspections
Congratulations on the start of your new home. Unless you are in the construction business, it is absolutely critical that you have an independent expert inspect the construction of your new home. You as an individual do not know what to look for during construction, the bank sends an inspector who is only looking to see if various work has been completed, and the Building Department is only looking to see if the work conforms to code.
We at Golden Rule Development will fill in the missing gap. We will inspect for quality of workmanship, and general conformance to plans. At each inspection we will submit a report. At the completion of the home, we prepare a “Final Punch List” which lists all items the Builder must correct before turning the house over to you, the home owner.
Prior to the start of construction do you know pertinent questions to ask your Builder regarding the plans? Once you become a client, we will send you our “SUGGESTIONS FOR NEW HOME BUYERS TO CONSIDER AT THE BEGINNING OF CONSTRUCTION.” If you want we can consult with you about your plans.
Golden Rule Development Corp is a builder of upscale homes and the Number 1 full-service home inspection company in Southwest Florida. Who better to inspect your home?
We abide by the spirit of our name; do others, as you would have them do unto you. Golden Rule inspectors are construction professionals with a dedication unsurpassed in the industry. No matter how good and well intentioned a Builder is, our services will help uncover what he may miss, forget, or revise without your permission. You are making an extremely large investment. It is critical that you protect that investment by utilizing our services.
Getting Started
Our report format includes digital pictures with all inspections. This is great for getting a feel for how the construction is coming along, and shows you exactly what and where the problems are. Take a look at our sample reports. They will give you a better idea of how we can help you through the construction process.
In order to provide you the best service possible, we should have a set of construction plans (not the sales brochure plans). These plans are generally on 24” x 36” pages, and will include elevations, foundation plan, floor plan, site plan, details, roof plan, and electric plan (We can perform the inspections without them, but not as thoroughly). When it is time to check on the construction, we take the plans and compare the as built conditions to the plans. Our written report to you will include all discrepancies as well as workmanship issues that we feel are not up to industry standards or the specifications for your home. We now include digital pictures with all reports. Any defects or problems we find will have a picture showing you the problem. We also take general pictures around the home to give you an idea of what is really going on. Within one day after the inspection (usually the same day) we will send you our report by e-mail (or regular mail if you don’t have e-mail), and we can e-mail a copy to your Builder. Some of our clients like to send the report themselves so they can add comments, but most have us send the report directly. You will have the ability to forward reports via e-mail to anyone of your choosing. We invoice you for the report immediately after sending the report. Upon signing the Agreement we get a $250 deposit if you are paying by Visa or Master Card ($350 if you are paying by check). Either way, the deposit is subtracted from the final inspection.
During the course of construction there are always questions or problems that come up, sometimes after a conversation with the Builder. Give us a call, and we’ll let you know whether the Builder is giving you a straight answer, or not. Sometimes we can even solve problems the Builder couldn’t. One client called me all upset because his Builder told him he had to have a railing built into the screen enclosure blocking his view of the canal behind his house. After reviewing the problem I told him how to make minor adjustments to the exterior grade around the pool deck, negating the need for the railing. This was done for free rather than the $3,500 the Builder wanted to charge the client. When our clients call, there is no charge as long as the conversation is no longer than 5 to 10 minutes. Beyond that we charge as per the letter of agreement.
To go out and perform the inspections we rely on our clients to stay in touch with the Builder and then call us at the appropriate time. You can download our “Inspection Schedule” to better understand the milestones for each inspection.
We also offer consulting services beyond the normal inspections. One such service (usually on upscale custom built homes) is to evaluate the plans and make suggestions to improve the design or correct the plans. All clients who have utilized this service have been quite pleased.
Click on “Agreement” and let’s get started.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING…
“I don’t know what we would have done without you. You were absolutely great. How can anyone have a house built without hiring you to inspect the construction? My husband and I have told all of our friends about you.”
Darlene Zetzsche, Westminster Country Club, Lehigh Acres
“You should offer consulting services over the Internet. Being able to ask you technical questions during construction has been invaluable. What do people do that don’t use your service?”
Jack Talbot, River Club, Sarasota
“You have just earned your fee ten times over. You are great. How can the builder possibly leave out the ceiling insulation? When my wife and I inspected the house, we never noticed that the towel bar was right below the showerhead, much less everything else you have come up with. You have all of my business from now on.”
Glenn Grant, Smart Mortgages Unlimited, Naples
“What would have happened if you had not discovered that the tie beam was the wrong size? By discovering the mistake now, you have saved my Builder a lot of grief.”
Lee Gery, Bonita Bay, Bonita Springs
“If anyone ever asks for a recommendation for a new home inspector, you are the one I will recommend. You were such a pain in the neck and so thorough on my job, that if I ever needed an inspection, you are the one I would want.”
Tom Gaffney, Construction Super on several homes inspected by Golden Rule Pelican Marsh, Naples
