New Construction Home Inspection Guide

How to use this guide

Use this resource to prepare observations and questions, not to approve or reject a property by itself. Record locations, patterns, odors, sounds, dates, and seller disclosures so a qualified professional has useful context.

Start with safety and active water concerns, then review structure, exterior drainage, roof, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, interiors, and installed appliances.

Practical checklist

• Review contract access, builder milestones, plans, options, warranties, and change orders.
• Ask about foundation or pre-drywall inspection opportunities before assemblies are concealed.
• At completion, review drainage, exterior, roof, interiors, systems, finishes, and installed equipment.
• Document incomplete work, damage, substitutions, and items requiring operation or testing.
• Plan a warranty-period review before applicable coverage or notice windows expire.

Questions worth asking

• Which independent inspections are allowed and when?
• Will utilities and systems be operational?
• How are punch-list items documented, scheduled, and verified?
• Which permits, approvals, manuals, warranties, and test reports will be delivered?
• Does the inspector have relevant new-construction experience?

Turn observations into decisions

Separate urgent safety issues from maintenance items and cosmetic defects. Ask for written scope, assumptions, exclusions, and price ranges from the appropriate professional. Your contract, contingency deadlines, local law, and risk tolerance determine what happens next.