The New Home Orientation-A Positive Learning Experience

Before you go to closing on your new home, you and Jeff Engel Construction, Inc. (Contractor) will conduct a Homeowner Orientation Inspection. The Orientation provides an opportunity for you and the Contractor to note items which may need to be corrected. It also allows you to learn about the way your new home works.

The Contractor will also use the Homeowner Orientation Inspection to educate the Owners about the operation of the house components, the buyer’s responsibilities for maintenance and upkeep and warranty coverage and warranty procedures.

When you purchase a new appliance or piece of equipment, you usually have to read the instructions to understand all of the features. With a new house, you will be receiving a lot of instruction booklets. It is very helpful if the Contractor can demonstrate how to operate the kitchen appliances, heating and cooling systems, water heater and other features of the home. The Homeowner Orientation Inspection is very useful considering that most people are so busy they have trouble finding time to carefully read instruction booklets.

Learning about maintenance and upkeep responsibilities is very important. Our new homes come with a written one-year warranty on workmanship and materials. However, such warranties do not cover problems that develop because of failure to perform required maintenance. We will review common upkeep and maintenance responsibilities.

Should a warranted problem arise after you move in, Jeff Engel Construction, Inc. has a warranty service procedure in place. Except for emergency items which will be addressed immediately, requests for service should be presented in writing using the Warranty Service Request form received at the Homeowner Orientation Inspection. This is to ensure that everyone clearly understands the service to be performed. The person receiving a service request may not be the person performing the work, so you don’t want to rely on word of mouth to relay your service request. You should not expect us to rush out immediately for a problem such as a nail pop or hairline crack in your drywall. Such problems are best addressed in one visit near the end of the first year.

When inspecting the house during the Homeowner Orientation Inspection, the most effective way to manage the process is with the Homeowner Orientation Checklist provided. The list should include everything that needs attention room by room; an estimated timeframe for repairs will be provided at that time. We prefer to make any corrections before you move in since it is much easier and more efficient to work in an empty house. Some items may have to be corrected after move-in. For instance, if your Homeowner Orientation Inspection takes place in the winter, a landscaping adjustment may have to wait until spring or a missing part may have to be ordered.

It is very important that you and the Contractor are thorough and observant during the Homeowner Orientation Inspection as all cosmetic concerns must be addressed at the Orientation. Carefully examine all surfaces of counters, fixtures, floors and walls for possible damage. Check all doors and windows and cabinet doors and drawers for proper operation. We ask the Owner to sign the Homeowner Orientation Checklist stating that all surfaces have been inspected and that there is no damage other than what has been noted on the Orientation Inspection Checklist. You will receive a copy of the checklist prior to closing, including the estimated dates of completion for any corrections noted.

Ask a lot of questions during the Homeowner Orientation Inspection. Never be afraid of appearing ignorant by asking too many questions. It is important to view the Homeowner Orientation Inspection as a positive learning experience which will enhance the enjoyment of your new home.