Final Phase Inspection

A Final Phase New Construction Inspection is performed when a newly constructed home is substantially completed and the applicable systems and components are installed and accessible for inspection.

The purpose of the inspection is to provide an independent evaluation of the home's observable condition and performance before closing, acceptance, or occupancy.

When the inspection is performed for a prospective buyer or seller of a substantially completed one-to-four-family dwelling, the inspection is performed in accordance with the applicable Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) Real Estate Inspector Standards of Practice (SOP).

Under the TREC Standards of Practice, a real estate inspection is a limited visual survey and basic performance evaluation of applicable building systems and components using normal controls.

A TREC inspection is not a comprehensive investigation or exploratory examination. The inspector evaluates accessible systems and components within the scope of the applicable Standards of Practice and reports deficiencies as required by those standards.

The inspection is performed using reasonable and appropriate tools. Specialized equipment such as thermal imaging equipment is not required by TREC.

When applicable and accessible, the Final Phase inspection addresses the systems and components required by the TREC Standards of Practice, including:

The inspection includes applicable foundation and structural components.

The inspector:

• Provides a written opinion regarding foundation performance
• Reports the foundation type
• Reports the required crawl-space inspection vantage point, when applicable
• Reports visible indications used to evaluate adverse foundation performance
• Reports deficiencies in applicable foundation and structural components
• Evaluates applicable grading and drainage conditions
• Inspects the roof covering from the roof surface when safe and when walking the roof will not cause significant damage
• Reports the roof-covering type and inspection vantage point
• Reports evidence of water penetration and previous repairs as required by the SOP
• Reports applicable deficiencies involving roof coverings, fasteners, adhesion, flashing, skylights, and roof penetrations
• Evaluates applicable attic and roof-structure components
• Reports the attic inspection vantage point, approximate average insulation depth, and evidence of water penetration
• Reports applicable deficiencies involving framing, decking, attic access, insulation, and ventilation
• Evaluates applicable interior and exterior walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, glazing, stairs, fireplaces, chimneys, porches, balconies, decks, and carports

The inspection does not constitute a structural engineering evaluation or determine the structural design adequacy of the home.

The TREC SOP requires the inspector to inspect roof-covering materials from the surface of the roof unless the inspector determines that the roof cannot be safely reached or walked without significant risk of damage.

The inspection addresses observable conditions involving:

• Roof-covering materials
• Fasteners
• Adhesion
• Flashing
• Skylights
• Roof penetrations
• Evidence of water penetration
• Previous repairs
• Roof structures and decking
• Attic framing
• Attic ventilation
• Attic access
• Insulation

The inspector is not required to determine remaining roof life expectancy, identify latent hail damage, or perform an exhaustive examination of all fasteners, adhesion, deficiencies, or water-penetration locations.

The exterior inspection includes applicable exterior walls, doors, windows, glazing, and related components.

The inspector reports applicable deficiencies involving:

• Water penetration
• Emergency escape and rescue openings
• Attached garage door closing provisions
• Garage-to-residence door requirements
• Screens
• Weather stripping, gaskets, and air-barrier materials
• Exterior claddings
• Water-resistant materials and coatings
• Flashing and terminations
• Exterior doors and garage doors
• Windows and components
• Safety glazing
• Required fall protection at applicable windows

The interior inspection includes applicable walls, ceilings, floors, doors, stairs, landings, guards, handrails, and other components required by the TREC SOP.

The inspector reports:

• Evidence of water penetration
• Deficiencies in door and hardware condition and performance
• Deficiencies related to structural performance or water penetration
• Applicable garage fire-separation deficiencies
• Deficiencies in steps, stairways, landings, guards, and handrails

TREC does not require the inspector to report cosmetic conditions or the condition of certain finishes, coverings, cabinets, or countertops.

The electrical inspection includes the applicable electrical systems and components required by the TREC SOP.

The inspection includes applicable service equipment, panels, branch circuits, receptacles, switches, fixtures, grounding and bonding, GFCI and AFCI protection, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and other components addressed by the SOP.

Required operational testing includes applicable accessible smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and required receptacle testing.

The inspection does not include determining the present or future capacity of the electrical system, voltage-drop calculations, or other electrical evaluations specifically excluded by the TREC SOP.

The HVAC inspection includes the applicable heating, cooling, and duct-system components required by the TREC SOP.

The inspector reports applicable conditions involving:

• Heating and cooling equipment
• Energy sources
• Thermostats
• Equipment access
• Physical protection
• Combustion and dilution air
• Venting
• Cooling performance
• Condensate drainage
• Refrigerant-pipe insulation
• Condensing-unit conditions
• Duct systems
• Filters
• Registers and grilles
• Return-air openings

For cooling systems, the inspector measures and reports the temperature difference between supply and return air or uses an industry-accepted method to evaluate performance.

TREC does not require the inspector to determine system sizing, efficiency, adequacy, refrigerant pressure, refrigerant type, refrigerant leaks, thermostat accuracy, balanced airflow, or other specifically excluded conditions.

The plumbing inspection includes the applicable plumbing systems and components required by the TREC SOP.

The inspector reports:

• Water-meter location
• Main water-supply shutoff location
• Static water pressure
• Visible water-supply and drain-line materials
• Active leaks
• Water pressure exceeding 80 PSI
• Applicable pressure-reducing-valve conditions
• Applicable expansion-tank conditions
• Fixture shutoff valves
• Applicable dielectric unions
• Backflow, anti-siphon, and air-gap provisions
• Water-supply and waste-pipe deficiencies
• Vent-system installation and termination
• Fixture and faucet performance
• Functional water flow
• Fixture-drain performance
• Applicable fixture and plumbing deficiencies
• Gas-distribution-system conditions

The inspector is not required to operate main, branch, or shutoff valves or inspect systems specifically excluded by the SOP.

The inspection includes applicable water heaters.

The inspector reports the:

• Energy source
• Capacity

Applicable deficiencies include conditions involving:

• Operation
• Leaking or corroded fittings or tanks
• Missing or damaged components
• Cold-water shutoff valves
• Drain pans and pan-drain systems
• Location
• Protection from physical damage
• Required access
• Service platforms and passageways, when applicable
• Temperature and pressure relief valves and discharge piping
• Applicable electrical or gas components

The inspector does not determine the efficiency or adequacy of the water heater.

The TREC SOP addresses specific appliances and equipment, including:

• Dishwashers
• Food-waste disposers
• Range hoods and exhaust systems
• Electric and gas ranges, cooktops, and ovens
• Built-in microwave ovens
• Mechanical exhaust systems and bathroom heaters
• Garage-door operators
• Dryer exhaust systems

The applicable components are operated or evaluated as required by the TREC SOP.

TREC does not require operation or evaluation of clothes washers, clothes dryers, refrigerators, or other built-in appliances except as specifically provided by the applicable rules.

When applicable, the inspection includes accessible fireplace and chimney components addressed by the TREC SOP.

The inspector reports applicable deficiencies involving:

• Firebox
• Damper
• Hearth and hearth extension
• Combustible materials near the firebox
• Combustion-air provisions
• Accessible fireblocking
• Chimney structure and termination
• Other components specifically addressed by the SOP

The inspector is not required to verify flue integrity, perform a chimney smoke test, or determine draft adequacy.

Frontline Inspections may use thermal imaging as a supplemental inspection tool during the Final Phase inspection. Thermal imaging is not required by the TREC Standards of Practice and does not expand the required TREC inspection scope. Thermal images are interpreted in conjunction with visual observations and should not be considered a substitute for visual inspection or specialized evaluation.

The TREC Standards of Practice specifically limit the inspection.

The inspector is not required to:

• Inspect buried, hidden, latent, or concealed conditions
• Perform destructive testing
• Determine the cause or source of a condition
• Determine the cause or effect of deficiencies
• Determine code compliance except where specifically required by the SOP
• Determine manufacturer or regulatory compliance except where specifically required by the SOP
• Determine system adequacy, capacity, suitability, efficiency, or reliability except where specifically required
• Determine future performance
• Determine life expectancy or age
• Perform engineering or architectural evaluations
• Perform environmental testing
• Determine the presence of mold, asbestos, lead-based paint, or other environmental hazards
• Perform specialized calculations or testing not required by the SOP
• Repair or remedy conditions that prevent inspection
• Provide repair-cost estimates or reinspection services as part of the TREC inspection

The inspector may depart from a required inspection when permitted by the TREC departure provisions, including circumstances involving safety, accessibility, potential property damage, lack of qualification, or other circumstances specified by the rule. Required departures must be communicated and documented as required by TREC.

A TREC inspection does not transfer responsibility for construction from the builder or contractor to the inspector.

The builder and contractors remain responsible for performing construction work in accordance with applicable contracts, plans, specifications, manufacturer requirements, and applicable laws and regulations.

The inspection provides the client with information regarding observable conditions and performance at the time of inspection. It is not a warranty, guarantee, engineering certification, or certification that the home is free of defects.

Frontline Inspections offers multiple opportunities to inspect a newly constructed home:

Performed before concrete placement while applicable foundation components remain accessible.

Performed during construction before interior walls and ceilings conceal applicable framing and rough-in components.

Performed when the home is substantially completed and the systems and components covered by the applicable TREC SOP are installed and accessible.

Each inspection occurs at a different stage of construction. Homeowners may choose one or multiple inspections depending on their construction schedule and inspection needs.

When the inspection is a TREC-regulated real estate inspection, Frontline Inspections completes the required TREC Property Inspection Report Form (REI 7-6) in accordance with applicable TREC requirements.

Additional reporting or documentation may be provided as part of Frontline Inspections' inspection service.

Frontline Inspections, PLLC provides independent property inspection services for buyers and homeowners throughout the Greater Houston Area.

With hands-on construction experience involving foundations, framing, and roofing, our goal is to provide clear, objective information about observable conditions and applicable system performance.

Our inspections are performed with attention to accessibility, safety, applicable standards, and the limitations established by the inspection scope.

A final inspection can provide valuable information before you accept or close on your newly constructed home.

Contact Frontline Inspections, PLLC at 281-640-0101 to schedule your Final Phase New Construction Inspection in the Greater Houston Area.