One of the most common assumptions we hear from buyers is that a new construction home doesn't need an inspection. It's brand new. The city inspected it. The builder has a warranty. What could possibly go wrong?

More than you'd expect. Here's what we actually find — and why waiting until after closing is the wrong move.

City Inspections Are Not Comprehensive

Municipal inspectors check for code compliance — they're making sure the home meets minimum safety standards, not evaluating the quality of the work. They're also working under significant time pressure, often inspecting multiple properties in a single day. What they catch and what a dedicated home inspector catches are very different things.

What We Find in New Construction

Common findings in new builds include:

None of these are unusual. Builders are managing multiple trades and tight schedules. Things get missed. That's not a character judgment — it's just reality.

The Two Best Times to Inspect a New Build

Pre-Concrete Pour Inspection: Before the foundation slab is poured, we check rebar placement, plumbing rough-in, and grading. This is your only opportunity to catch issues that will be permanently buried under concrete. Once the slab is poured, the window closes.

Pre-Drywall Inspection: Before drywall goes up, all the framing, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC rough-in is fully visible. This is the last chance to catch structural issues, missing insulation, and rough-in defects before they're covered up for good.

Warranty reminder: Most new construction homes come with a builder's warranty — often one year on workmanship and ten years on structural defects. Scheduling a Warranty Inspection before your one-year mark is one of the best investments a new homeowner can make. We find things. Builders fix them. That's how it's supposed to work.

If you're purchasing a new construction home in the Austin or San Antonio area, reach out before you close. The best time to catch a defect is while the builder can still fix it at no cost to you.