Most people prefer new construction homes for a variety of reasons. Aside from being move-in ready, their components are up-to-date, eliminating expensive repair costs incurred by older homes. These properties are also perfect for homeowners who want a fresh start, as they’re basically working with a blank slate, meaning they can customize the structures according to their lifestyles. However, new construction homes also have their downsides.

Owning a new construction home differs from purchasing one from a previous owner. Therefore, before buying, you should consider potential cons that contractors might have missed and may become a huge problem later, such as lack of garage insulation, insufficient wiring, and incorrectly applied siding. So, it'll be worth researching to understand the home building process and local builders' quality of services. If possible, hire a certified inspector to conduct a home inspection before you move in.

That said, below are the pros and cons of new construction homes to help you decide.

Pros Of New Construction Homes

1. Customizable

Constructing a new home allows you to personalize it to your liking. You can customize everything, from the layout and design to the paint and appliances.

In today's market, finding a home that suits all your needs and preferences is hard. So, a new construction home minimizes the work and time wastage in doing some upgrades and finishes. 

Additionally, new construction homes can help you have the home you want without waiting for it to come on the market. Existing homes rarely enable you to change the whole layout. The best you can do is to replace the fixtures and change the finishings.

2. Low-Maintenance

A new construction home can give you peace of mind since there'll be fewer maintenance projects than what existing homes would require. You won't have to worry about leaks, your HVAC breaking down in the summer, door and window replacements, etc.

3. Extra Clean 

Deep cleaning can be overwhelming sometimes, requiring time and money, not to mention loads of detergents. Newly constructed homes don't need these things because their components are spotlessly clean as they've never been used before. Indeed, there's no better feeling than knowing you're the first person to occupy and live in your new home. 

4. They Come With Warranties

New construction homes often have a warranty covering unexpected damage and repairs. Depending on the commercial construction company, these warranties can be valid for a year or more. This is advantageous because if anything goes wrong, your home will be fixed without you shelling out a single penny.  

On the other hand, if you think existing homes are more convenient than new homes, you're wrong. You can buy a warranty, but it won't cover anything before you own the house. If anything breaks after your move, you'll be responsible for the replacement costs. Thus, be financially prepared, as bills can quickly skyrocket when dealing with significant problems such as structural or plumbing issues.

5. Energy-Efficient

New construction homes are equipped with energy-efficient features that can help lower electricity bills. These properties can have vinyl windows, better insulation between walls, and door seals to help reduce the need to heat and cool the home, similar attributes you can usually see in tiny homes. Such energy-saving features are essential for reducing your carbon footprint, which is valuable in mitigating the effects of climate change.

6. Brand New

This is one of the most significant benefits of new construction homes. Everything in them is brand new, including bathrooms, the kitchen, light switches, furniture, appliances, etc. Such features are in pristine condition, and you won't have to deal with costly repairs soon. Make sure all the essentials have been sorted by using a home building checklist to double-check all the important details.

Cons Of New Construction Homes

1. Plumbing Issues

Most newly constructed homes have plumbing issues because the pipes have never been used. Unless your contractor hired a professional plumber to work on the lines, your pipes might be installed improperly and could cause a lot of damage to your home. Thus, you might need to hire an expert to check the pipelines before you move in. If you live in Caldwell, Idaho, consider hiring a plumber from Caldwell to ensure your plumbing system is properly installed and safe.

2. Dirty Duct Systems

A dirty duct system is also a standard in newly constructed homes, as dust and debris may enter during construction. This can break the HVAC system if not cleaned properly. The floor registers should be covered during construction, but more often than not, covers are usually installed improperly and damaged. This is why they may contain a lot of wood pieces and sawdust. You can call in a duct cleaning professional to address the problem.

3. Door And Window Problems

Doors and windows can be installed in a hurry, leaving small gaps that might cause difficulties in closing and opening. It may also lead to broken glass, crooked wood, and faulty latches, resulting in costly repairs or replacements.

4. Humid

The cool surfaces of poorly insulated doors, windows, and walls during winter and of cold water pipes in summer pose a problem you may have never realized before. Water droplets accumulating on such surfaces can flow down the walls and seep into different structural parts of the home. This may result in mold, mildew, and rot, damaging the home's integrity in the long run.

Meanwhile, moisture from the lumber in the trusses and the frames may form inside the windows is another issue worth looking into.

5. Expensive

New construction homes are more expensive than existing ones. It's also important to note that the former's prices change based on the quality of materials used, energy efficiency, and location. Many home buyers accept the higher price due to the advantages mentioned above.

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Conclusion

Owning a new construction home is one of the best investments homeowners will ever make. It can turn your dream home into a reality as you can customize it to your liking. However, just because a home is newly built doesn't mean you won't be encountering any problems. As the components were never used or tested, you might be surprised to learn about structural and installation issues as you move in.

Hopefully, the above discussion can help you decide whether to buy a new construction home or an existing or previously owned one. In addition, take your time and consider hiring a qualified inspector to ensure you're making an intelligent investment.

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