Does a new home's radon-resistant design make a separate radon test unnecessary?
Housing"The pipe is already there," the sales representative said, pointing to a drawing in the new-home brochure. "You're paying for a problem we've designed out."
The builder says our proposed US home includes radon-resistant construction. Testing before we move in would be an additional $180 through the tester we've contacted. My partner thinks the pipe on the drawing is enough reassurance and would rather put the money toward curtains. I assumed a new house would be less complicated than an old one, so I initially agreed.
Then I read the [EPA's radon guidance](https://www.epa.gov/radtown/radon-homes-schools-and-buildings), which says elevated levels can occur in new homes as well as old ones, and testing is the way to know the level in a particular home. We haven't received a test result for this house or an explanation of what has actually been installed.
I'm going to ask those questions before making the choice. How do I discuss the extra test without implying that the builder's features are worthless? We can afford the quoted cost, but my partner hears every additional check as another item the brochure should already have settled.