Home Inspections: Even on New Construction?

New Construction: Accuracy is a Choice

Many buyers in the Triangle think a brand-new house doesn’t need an inspection because no one has lived there yet. It’s easy to assume city building inspectors or the builder’s warranty will catch every detail. However, builders are often under pressure to finish quickly, and even high-end homes can have serious mistakes that aren’t visible to the naked eye.

Two Key Times to Inspect

We recommend checking the home at two specific milestones to find issues before they are covered up and become impossible to fix.

Pre-Drywall Inspection This happens after the framing and pipes are in, but before the walls are closed. It is the only time an inspector can see the wiring, plumbing, and structure that will soon be hidden forever.

Final Inspection This is a full check of the finished home before you move in. We test everything to make sure it actually works, from the heating and cooling performance to the electrical outlets and appliances.

A Real-World Example: Skipping the final inspection can be a $5,000 mistake. One homeowner discovered three years after moving in that the attic insulation was never installed. This led to high power bills and an immediate repair bill that could have been avoided with one phone call before closing.

What We Find in New Homes

Even expensive new builds in Raleigh and Durham can have major flaws. Here are real issues found during a 2025 inspection of a new construction home:

System	The Problem Found	Why It Matters
Gas Lines	Piping not grounded (CSST)	Increases risk of gas line failure or fire during lightning storms.
Electrical	Open ground outlets	A safety and shock hazard identified in multiple rooms.
Foundation	Differential movement cracks	Open cracks in a new slab can indicate structural instability.
Exterior	Damaged siding and missing caulk	Gaps allow moisture to rot structural components or grow mold.
HVAC	Improper drain termination	Water dumping at the foundation can cause the soil to shift and settle.

Warranty vs. Inspection

A builder’s warranty is reactive—it covers what the builder agrees is a defect after you move in. An independent inspection is proactive. It identifies problems before you close, giving you the leverage to have them fixed on the builder’s dime rather than your own.