Should You Get a Home Inspection on New Construction?

If you’re preparing to purchase a newly built home, you likely think you’re getting a worry-free property that won’t require any fixes for a long time. But unless your home comes with a builder’s warranty, there’s no assurance that repairs or replacements won’t be needed – sometimes immediately.

That’s why many experts recommend getting a new construction home inspection before closing – even though this is a brand-new residence. This decision comes with advantages and disadvantages that should be weighed carefully. Continue reading to learn more about this strategy as well as alternative options if you forego an inspection.

Factors That Have Decreased Buyer Confidence in New Construction

Many buyers are less than enamored with newly built homes in the last few years.

A 2022 poll by Clever Real Estate revealed that a whopping 89% of homeowners encountered unexpected repairs or maintenance issues soon after moving into a new construction residence, with major system failures affecting security (37%), plumbing (36%), and electrical systems (36%).

The stress of new home construction was evident among those polled, as 59% of buyers reported feeling anxious, frustrated, or overwhelmed during the process. In hindsight, 66% experience some level of regret buying a new construction residence, and for 26%, that regret stems from wishing they had opted for an existing home instead. Additionally, 32% of homeowners would not recommend their builders or contractors, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction with the experience.

And social media is awash with horror stories.

“Additionally, some home buyers have been discouraged from purchasing a new construction home due to learning about lawsuits against local and national builders,” says Realtor Eloise Gauthier, a regional vice president for the National Association of Realtors.

Personal finance expert Andrew Lokenauth isn’t surprised that buyers are a bit more cautious about freshly built homes lately.

“Labor shortages in recent years have led to the hiring of less experienced workers. Meanwhile, material costs have shot up 30% since 2021. Supply chain issues are forcing substitutions to cheaper materials and products, and rushed timelines to meet demand have led to quality control suffering industrywide,” he says.

Why You Should Get That New Construction Home Inspected

The experts agree: Having your newly crafted home professionally inspected is worth it. Let’s cover some of the reasons why and counterpoints that should make you think twice.

Pros

As covered above, many builders are cutting corners to keep costs down. That could lead to premature flaws or failures in new home materials, components, and systems. Paying for an expert inspection could prevent buyer remorse as well as major out-of-pocket costs.

“I always recommend a home inspection for new construction,” Gauthier continues. “I was once with a buyer client inspecting their new construction home, and the inspector told us he pushed on the exterior brick wall and the entire wall moved because it was not tied into the main structure. We canceled that contract immediately. In another instance, we noticed during a home inspection that the contractor forgot to have the insulation blown into the attic. I’ve also heard from an inspector that they now run cameras into the plumbing because they found instances of concrete discovered in the drain of new construction homes.”

Builders make mistakes during construction. Hiring an inspector provides another pair of eyes that will check everything and detect any underlying problems.

“Just because it looks new doesn’t mean it was done correctly,” cautions Ralph DiBugnara, president of Home Qualified. “Bad electrical wiring, faulty plumbing, and uneven or poorly laid flooring are all problems that can arise and become expensive fixes on a new home. A professional inspection is the best way to get ahead of this before a mistake purchase is made.”

Having a brand-new home expertly inspected should uncover any hidden issues well before closing. This gives you negotiating power to lower the price or insist that the builder make needed fixes. Alternatively, you could legally back out of the deal, especially if the builder/seller doesn’t agree to the repairs or decreased price.

If no problems are found, you’ll have better peace of mind knowing that this freshly crafted residence should be a worry-free domicile.

Cons

Then again, a professional inspection could be viewed as costly overkill. Expect a new construction home inspection to set you back between $300 and $500 or more. If the professional finds nothing wrong, and your chosen builder has a strong reputation, you may feel like that money would have been better spent elsewhere.

“Also, an inspection could delay your closing and move-in timeline, particularly if you need extra time to schedule and complete the inspection or problems are found that require repairs before closing,” says Lokenauth.

Consider, too, that your chosen inspector may have limited abilities, such as not being able to access hard-to-reach areas or evaluate specific systems in-depth unless they're specialists. Plus, even after a pro inspection, certain issues, such as cosmetic defects or house settling, may only emerge after you take occupancy, causing you to question if the inspector overlooked something important.

Additionally, an inspection could reveal minor, non-critical flaws that you assign more importance and priority to, which could result in a dispute with the builder.

What to Do if You Pass on a Professional Inspection

Regardless of the expense and risks, all the experts consulted for this story strongly recommend having a professional home inspection conducted, even though the home is brand-new. But if you’re going to take a pass this inspection, it’s still important to conduct some necessary due diligence.

First, perform a detailed walk-through, paying close attention to crucial elements like HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems as well as the home’s foundations.

You can download a free PDF home inspection checklist. It doesn’t replace a professional inspector, but will help for DIYers.

“Check for water drainage and grading issues, make sure all electrical outlets work, and look for plumbing leaks and pressure problems,” recommends Lokenauth.

Additionally, take Gauthier’s advice and push on all walls to ensure they do not move, check the attic for sufficient insulation, open and close every window and door to check that they function properly, and adjust the heating and cooling system to ensure proper operation.

Lastly, note that many home builders include free of charge, or offer as an option you pay for, a home warranty. Builder warranties for newly constructed homes typically provide limited coverage for workmanship and materials on specific components like windows, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems.

Coverage duration varies: most components are covered for one year, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems for two years, and major structural defects—such as a collapsing roof—for up to 10 years. These warranties generally outline repair procedures but often exclude out-of-pocket costs for temporary relocation during repairs, as well as household appliances, minor cracks in materials, and items covered by manufacturer warranties.

Read the warranty fine print carefully so that you know what to expect if you need to file a claim down the road.