It makes sense that a buyer would wonder why they need an inspection on a home that has never been lived in. The builder has a reputation to protect. City inspectors have signed off on the work. What could a home inspector possibly find?
The answer, based on experience across hundreds of new construction inspections in the Portland and Vancouver area, is: quite a lot.
Builder Inspections Are Not the Same as a Home Inspection
City building inspectors visit a construction site at specific stages to verify code compliance. They are not there to evaluate the overall quality of the work, catch every installation error, or look at the home from a buyer’s perspective. They are checking boxes on a code compliance list.
Your home inspector is working for you. We look at the finished home from the perspective of someone who wants to know if everything was done correctly and if it will hold up over time.
What Do We Commonly Find in New Construction?
Missing or improperly installed flashing: Roof and window flashing is one of the most frequently deficient items in new construction. Flashing is what keeps water out at transition points. When it is wrong, you get water intrusion that may not show up for months or years.
Grading and drainage issues: The ground around a new home is often left in a condition where water drains toward the foundation rather than away from it. This is one of the most common findings in new builds across the Portland area.
HVAC installation errors: Ductwork that is not properly sealed, improper refrigerant line installation, and disconnected exhaust vents are all things we find in new construction.
Attic and crawlspace issues: Improperly installed insulation, bathroom fans that are not properly vented to the outside, and missing vapor barrier sections are common findings.
Plumbing installation errors: Missing earthquake straps on water heaters, improper pipe support, and drain issues are things code inspectors sometimes miss.
Electrical issues: Open junction boxes, missing cover plates, and wiring concerns occasionally appear even in new homes.
Structural issues: Cracks in foundation walls, improperly installed anchor bolts, and framing anomalies do occur in new construction, though they are less common than the items above.
Why Is a New Construction Inspection Especially Valuable?
Everything is still under warranty. When you find problems before you close, or early in your builder warranty period, the builder is obligated to fix them at no cost to you. Once the warranty period expires, those same repairs are your responsibility and come out of your pocket.
We offer a discount on new construction inspections. Use code NEWCONSTRUCTION when you schedule online. We also offer an 11-Month Warranty Inspection specifically designed to catch problems before your builder warranty expires.