Why You Need a New Construction Home Inspection
New construction homes have all sorts of problems.
Building a home is a complex process with many subcontractors working at different times and on different systems, often without seeing the full picture. With so many moving parts, even the best builders will miss things — sometimes small, sometimes serious.
Examples of problems we've found in newly built homes:
- Broken roof trusses.
- No roof vent.
- Missing siding.
- Improperly sized nails on deck, roof, or joists.
- Insufficient insulation in the attic.
- Missing roof gutters and downspouts.
- Improperly installed roof shingles allowing water to penetrate under the shingles.
- Deck guards missing.
- Tiled shower leaks.
- Leaking shutoff valves for sinks.
- Disconnected ducts (A/C, heating, and bathroom fans) in the attic.
- Improperly installed dishwasher drains.
- Disconnected water heater vents.
- Plumbing vent caps not removed.
- Outside frost‑free faucets installed incorrectly.
- No access panels for bath tub drains.
- No method to disconnect gas piping after the shutoff valve for gas appliances.
- HVAC condensers installed improperly.
- Exhaust and intake furnace pipes switched.
- Anti‑tip brackets for a range attached only to drywall.
- Kitchen fans that run, but exterior dampers that don't open.
City building inspections are not the same as home inspections.
The job of city building inspectors is to check for compliance with applicable building codes. Those codes are minimum standards. While building inspectors do their best, these inspections are not designed to find every defect that affects how your home lives day‑to‑day.
Problems found before you buy can be fixed before move‑in.
It's normal to have minor touch‑ups after you move in, but you don't want your builder tearing into walls, ceilings, or major systems to make significant repairs after you've already unpacked. A post‑construction home inspection helps identify those issues so your builder can correct them before closing.
Defects can be repaired before they cause damage or safety issues.
Some defects can lead to serious consequences if left uncorrected. For example, cut or unsecured wiring can spark and cause a fire; disconnected ducts can drive up utility bills by dumping conditioned air into the attic instead of your living space. Finding these items before you close allows your builder to fix them on their dime — not yours.
It matters when you decide to sell your home.
Deficiencies that date back to original construction will often be discovered when your buyer hires an inspector, even if you never knew they existed. If your 1‑Year Builder's Warranty has expired, it is too late to bring the builder back in — at that point, you own those problems.
