[ckissick]

I'm in almost the same biz as Jim. (civil engineer)

You mean the builder/seller does not have the final permit on the house yet? Be very careful about buying a house before the final is issued. If the house is over a setback line, some (probably most) building departments will make you tear down the offending wall and re-do that entire part of the house, foundation and all. I've seen it happen.

I've also seen a house that was 6-inches too tall, and they had to remove the entire roof and a steel moment frame at great cost to make the house 6 inches shorter.

The seller should pay for it. If not, at least get the survey done before close of escrow.