Inspections coming to a rural home near you

Wisconsin recently passed a law that requires inspections of all new homes, even those in small rural and recreational communities where previously none were required.

The law had the backing of the Wisconsin Builders Association—which sees the law as an opportunity to improve building standards statewide—and will go into effect this summer. Cities and towns with fewer than 2,500 people will feel the biggest impact; previously, they were exempt from new-home inspections.

Without paid staff in these small towns to handle the inspections, towns can expect per-home inspection charges of $850, according to one report, much of it because the nearest licensed inspector might be many miles away.