Do I need a home inspection for new construction?

Yes, I’d get an independent inspection on a new home. I’d also leave room in the schedule for a return visit if something needs another look. When you read the report, pay attention to anything marked “not inspected” or “unable to test.” If a system wasn’t connected or an area wasn’t accessible, that part of the house still needs checking. A short list of defects doesn’t tell the whole story when some work is unfinished. For significant repairs, ask the inspector what should be checked again after the builder says the work is complete. Keep the original report, the builder’s written response, and the follow-up findings together. Your agent should review the contract deadlines before unresolved items are carried past closing. And if the builder says something will be covered under warranty, get the coverage and claim procedure in writing. Don’t assume every item has the same coverage or deadline. Austin Moore Broker/Owner, Austin Moore & Company Real Estate Realtor in Longview, Texas

Sonja, yes, and here is the answer the other eighteen have not given you: it is not one inspection, it is four, at four specific moments, and the thing most likely to stop you is a clause in the builder's contract that you sign before any of it happens. Good points above on pre-drywall and the eleven month. Let me give you the full sequence and the reason each stage catches something the others structurally cannot. 1. Pre-pour, at foundation and footings, before the concrete goes down. Rebar placement, vapor barrier, under-slab plumbing, form dimensions. Once that slab cures, no inspector on earth sees any of it again. 2. Pre-drywall, after framing with rough electrical, plumbing and HVAC in, before insulation and board. This is the last day the bones of your house are visible. Missing straps, notched joists, unsealed penetrations, ducts crushed by a framer. 3. Final, before your walk-through and before you sign. Everything is now covered, so this stage is about performance rather than structure: run every system, test every fixture, check grading and drainage away from the foundation. This is what feeds your punch list, and the punch list only has leverage while the builder still needs your signature. 4. The eleven month warranty inspection, scheduled deliberately before your one year mark. Typical builder warranties are structured one year on workmanship, two years on systems, ten years on structural, so read your own document and confirm yours. Settling, drywall cracking, door and window misalignment and grading failures show up in months six through eleven, which is precisely why you inspect in month eleven and not month thirteen. Now the part nobody raised. Read the inspection access language before you sign anything. Many builder purchase agreements condition a third party inspector's access to an active job site: advance notice, proof of license and insurance, limits on who may be present, limits on which stages you may attend. If you are on NC REALTORS Form 800-T or Form 2-T with the New Construction Addendum, you may inspect up until closing, but only at reasonable times and without impeding construction, and the seller must provide "reasonable access," which also means the seller can decline access it considers unreasonable. If you are instead on the builder's own in-house contract, read specifically for binding arbitration, for language making the express warranty your exclusive remedy, and for notice and opportunity to cure. Those clauses can replace rights you would otherwise have. Negotiate your inspection schedule into the contract in writing, up front, by name and stage. Two more things worth knowing in North Carolina. Your home inspector must be licensed by the North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board, which sits under the Office of State Fire Marshal; ask for the license number and a certificate of insurance, and prefer someone who does phase inspections routinely rather than only resale work. And North Carolina has a six year statute of repose for improvements to real property under N.C. Gen. Stat. 1-50(a)(5), which can bar a defect claim six years after substantial completion regardless of when you discover the problem, and regardless of a ten year structural warranty. That is a real reason to inspect early and document everything. Last distinction, and most buyers get this backwards: the municipal inspector who signed off on your permits works for the jurisdiction, checks minimum code compliance, and does not represent you or evaluate workmanship. A passed county inspection is not a quality report. It is a floor. I am Zoltan Peresztegi, a real estate professional on the Palos Verdes Peninsula and across the South Bay and greater Los Angeles, so I am not your local agent in Charlotte, and this is not legal advice. Happy to connect you with a strong Charlotte agent from my network who represents buyers in builder communities and will not let you sign the builder's contract unread. Zoltan

All inspections are optional unless the lender requires a particular inspection. However, I always recommend a home inspection even on a newly constructed home. You cannot assume that because it is new construction, everything was done properly. It is better to know any problems before you buy. It's even better still to have the builder fix any issues before closing.

Sonja, you do not "need" a home inspection, but I would highly recommend one. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Yes, you need a home inspection for new construction, and the argument that a brand-new home does not need one is one of the most persistent and costly misconceptions in real estate. In Hernando County and across Florida, new construction homes have defects at a rate that surprises most first-time buyers. Common findings include: incorrectly installed HVAC equipment, plumbing that does not meet grade or slope requirements, missing insulation in wall cavities, roof sheathing nailing patterns that do not meet wind uplift requirements, and grading issues that direct water toward the foundation. None of these are visible without an inspection, and many are not caught by the municipal inspection process because those inspections are limited in scope and timing. The most effective approach for new construction in Hernando County is to hire a licensed inspector for three separate inspections: the pre-drywall inspection (when framing, plumbing, electrical rough-in, and insulation are exposed), the pre-closing inspection (when all systems are complete), and a follow-up inspection 10 to 11 months into your builder warranty period. The 11-month inspection is particularly valuable because it identifies warranty items before your coverage expires. Builders offer a standard one-year workmanship warranty in Florida, and flagging issues before it runs out preserves your right to have them corrected at no cost. Kevin Neely & Kaitlynd Robbins | K2 Sells

Absolutely yes! Inspections will often find issues that the builder overlooked and it is better to get this corrected prior to closing rather than after.

Mandatory!!!

Absolutely!! Always get a home inspection

Absolutely, I’d still recommend getting a home inspection for a new construction home. Just because it’s brand new doesn’t mean it’s perfect, sometimes things get missed, like wiring, plumbing, or other stuff that could cause headaches later. Having an inspector check everything out gives you peace of mind and a chance to fix any issues before you move in. It’s always smart to be safe and know exactly what you’re buying!

Yes, a home inspection is always recommended even on new construction.

YES YES YES! I will always recommend a Home inspection even on a new home! I recently had a client go to sell a 1 year old home and the HVAC was installed incorrectly and not been running properly.... They did not do a home inspection at the time of the purchase. They had a job transfer and put the home on the market....... new buyer did an HVAC inspection and found the unit was shot because of not being installed correctly! And luckily they were within the warranty period, but it was a hard battle to get the unit replaced because of all the finger-pointing! The buyer almost walked away from the deal! DO A HOME and HVAC inspection at MINIMUM!

We always recommend that Buyers get a home inspection for new construction. Beware that most builders require specific certifications for inspectors so do not wait until the last minute and always make sure you notify the on site agent. We recommend that you do 4 inspections depending on the stage for which you put your new construction home under contract: 1. At Framing 2. Pre-drywall 3. Post CO (certificate of occupancy) - 4. 11 mo after occupancy is best to get a great idea of other issues that the builder should address prior to the expiration of your 1 year builder warranty (if applicable).

Many builders will tell you it’s not needed because everything is under warranty. In addition, they often make it harder for inspectors to visit, requiring extraordinarily high levels of insurance and supervision by onsite staff. However, it will be much easier and better to handle any items before closing than to discover them later and try to get them approved and completed by the customer service department. Get the inspection. If you’re reading this after closing but before the expiration of your “wall to wall” warranty (often 1 year, depending on your market and builder), get the inspector out and put a list together for the builder.

Yes, yes, yes... That way you have another pair of eyes not with he builder looking out for your best interests. Also, documented in case an issue in the future.

Yes, yes and yes. Even though the home is new construction, many things may show up during a home inspection. Have one done, and the builder will make the necessary repairs. You usually get a one-year warranty. Have your home inspector come back after 11 months and reinspect, so if anything is found, the builder will take care of it under your warranty.

I always recommend a home inspection, even if its New Construction. They are hired professionals and licensed to look for things that we may miss or may not be accessible (crawlspace & attic).

Hello! It is always a good thing to get a home inspection even on new construction. If anything is found during the home inspection you can go back to the builder and ask for those repairs to be addressed prior to closing. Good luck!

Absolutely- always get a home inspection. You would be surprised, I have sold multiple new construction homes and with every home inspection there was something that the builder wound up having to address. Good luck with your purchase!

We always recommend a home inspection, new construction or not. You just NEVER know what could be wrong with a home.

Hello, yes! Always obtain a home inspection from a home inspector on a new construction. Some of the most concerning inspections I personally have seen have been on new construction. Once you obtain a home inspection, you will get a nice report with pictures and you will be able to go back to the contractor and ask for the items to be addressed before you purchase. Hope this helps :)