Austin Appraiser - Home Appraisal Austin

New Home Construction Draw Inspection

We provide inspections of new custom homes for scheduled builder draw requests. Typically, a new custom home builder will make periodic requests for payment from a lender based on the amount or percentage of construction that has been completed. We will process your request using any Draw Request or Disbursement Authorization Form form you desire and will provide photos that verify the items that have been built or installed.

Our fee for this service is $100. Call toll free at (888) 487-2755. Fax to (512) 249-5025.

This type of construction inspection does not assess the quality or condition of materials or equipment, but simply informs the client whether or not items contained in the request form are in place so that the home builder can be paid for the work that has been done in stages.

FIREPLACES

1. Chimney- A vertical masonry shaft reinforced concrete or other approved non-combustibles, heat resisting material enclosing one or more flues. It removes the products of combustion from solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel.

2. Flue Liner- The flue is the hole in the chimney. The liner, usually of terra cotta, protects the brick from harmful smoke gases.

3. Chimney Cap- This top is generally of concrete. It protects the brick from weather.

4. Chimney Flashing- Sheet-metal flashing provides a tight joint between chimney and roof.

5. Firebrick- An ordinary brick cannot withstand the heat of direct fire, an so special firebrick is used to line the fireplace.

6. Ash Dump- A trap door to let the ashes drop to a pit below, from where they may be easily removed.

7. Cleanout Door- The door to let the ash pit or the bottom of a chimney through which the chimney can be cleaned.

8. Chimney Breast- The inside face or front of a fireplace chimney.

9. Hearth- The floor of a fireplace that extends into the room for safety purposes.        

ROOF

10. Ridge- The top intersection of two opposite adjoining roof surfaces.

11. Ridge Board- The board that follows along under the ridge.

12. Roof Rafters- The structural members that support the roof.

13. Collar Beam- Really not a beam at all. A tie that keeps the roof from spreading. Connects similar rafters on opposite side of roof.

14. Roof Insulation- An insulating material (usually rock wool or fiberglass) in a blanket form placed between the roof rafters

for the purpose of keeping a house warm in the winter, cool in the summer.

15. Roof Sheathing- The boards that provide the base for the finished roof.

16. Roofing- The wood, asphalt, or asbestos shingles - or tile, slate or metal - that form protection against weather.

17. Cornice- A decorative element made up of molded members usually placed at or near the top of an interior wall.

18. Gutter- The trough that gathers rainwater from a roof.

19. Downspouts- The pipe that carries water from gutter. Downspouts should have extensions to carry water away from foundation areas.

20. Storm Sewer Tile- The underground pipe that receives water from downspouts and carries it to storm sewer.

21. Gable- The triangular end of a building with a sloping roof.

22. Barage Board- The fascia or board at the gable just under the edge of the roof.

23. Louvers- A series of slanted slots arranged to keep out rain, yet allow ventilation.    

  

WALLS AND FLOORS

24. Corner Posts- The vertical member at the corner of the frame, made up to receive inner and outer covering materials.

25. Studs- The vertical wood members of the house, usually 2x4’s generally spaced every 16 inches.

26. Sill- The board that is laid first on the foundation, and on which the frame rests.

27. Plate- The board laid across the tops of the studs to hold

them even and rigid.

28. Corner Bracing- Diagonal strips to keep the frame square and plumb.

29. Sheathing- The first layer of outer wall covering nailed to the studs.

30. Joist- The structural member or beams that hold up the floor or ceiling, usually 2x10’s or 2x12’s spaced 16 inches apart.

31. Bridging- Cross bridging or solid. Members at the middle

or thirds points of joist spans to brace one to the next and to prevent their twisting.

32. Subflooring- The rough boards that are laid over the joist. Usually laid diagonally.

33. Flooring Paper- A felt paper laid on rough floor to stop air infiltration and, to some extent, noise.

34. Finish Flooring- Usually hardwood, of tongued and grooved strips.

35. Building Paper- Paper placed outside the sheathing, not as a vapor barrier, but to prevent water and air from leaking in. Building paper is also used as a tarred felt under shingles or siding to keep out moisture or wind.

36. Beveled Siding- Sometimes called clapboards, with a

thick butt and a thin upper edge lapped to shed water.

37. Wall Insulation- A blanket of wool or reflective foil places inside the walls.

38. Metal Lath- A mesh made from sheet metal onto which plaster is applied.        

FOUNDATION AND BASEMENT

39. Finished Grade Line- The top of the ground at the foundation.

40. Foundation Wall- The wall of poured concrete (shown) or concrete blocks that rests on the footing and supports the reminder of the house.

41. Termite shield- A metal baffle to prevent termites from entering the frame.

42. Footing- The concrete pad that carries the entire weight of the house upon the earth.

43. Footing Drain Tile- A pipe with cracks at the joints to allow underground water to drain in and away before it gets into the basement.

44. Basement Floor Slab- The 3 or 4 inch layer of concrete that forms the basement floor.

45. Gravel Fill- Placed under the slab to allow drainage and to guard against a damp floor.

46. Girder- A main beam upon which floor joists rest. Usually of steel, but also of wood.

47. Backfill- Earth, once dug out, that has been replaced and tamped down around the foundation.

48. Areaway- An open space to allow light and air to a window. Also called a light well.

49. Area Wall- The wall, of metal or concrete, that forms the open area.    

  

WINDOWS AND DOORS

50. Window- An opening in a building for admitting light and air. It usually has a pane or panes of glass and set in a frame or sash that is generally movable for opening and shutting.

51. Window Frame- The lining of the window opening.

52. Window Sash- The inner frame, usually movable, that holds the glass.

53. Lintel- The structural beam over a window or door opening.

54. Window Casing- The decorative strips surrounding a window opening on the inside.       

STAIRS AND ENTRY

55. Entrance Canopy- A roof extending over the entrance door.

56. Furring- Falsework or framework necessary to bring the outer surface to where we want it.

57. Stair Tread- The horizontal strip where we put our foot when we climb up or down the stairs.

58. Stair Riser- The vertical board connecting one tread to the next.

59. Stair Stringer- The sloping board that supports the ends of the steps.

60. Newel- The post that terminates the railing.

61. Stair rail- The bar used for a handrail when we use the stairs.

62. Balusters- Vertical rods or spindles supporting a rail.