Even brand-new homes need thorough inspections. Remember, the people building your home are, well, human. While your builder strives for perfection, as the saying goes, nobody’s perfect 100% of the time.
These tips from home inspection influencers reveal some things to check as your home is being built – beyond the obvious.
Why it matters: Staying involved throughout your building process protects your investment. Knowing what to check in new homes helps catch potential issues when they're easier to address and gives you peace of mind before you get the keys. Here are some unexpected things to look for during your home inspection, and videos on how to check each item
1. Test Every Electrical Outlet
Outlets that aren’t grounded can create shock hazards and prevent safety features from working. Each outlet should be tested, especially the ones near sinks, tubs, and outdoor areas.
The check: Use a simple outlet tester to verify each outlet is properly grounded. The safety mechanisms only work when grounding is correct.
Why inspectors find this: Electrical work happens in phases, and small details like proper grounding can get missed during busy construction schedules.
2. Unpainted Trim Ends on Siding
Smart siding and other composite materials need their cut ends painted to prevent water absorption and swelling. Unpainted trim ends are a common oversight that can lead to damage over time.
The check: Walk your home's perimeter and look for any exposed, unpainted edges on trim boards and siding cuts.
What this prevents: Water damage and premature deterioration of exterior materials that should last decades.
3. Vapor Barrier Installation
Proper vapor barrier installation requires the upper layers to overlap the bottom layers at every seam. This creates a continuous moisture barrier behind your walls.
The check: During pre-drywall inspection, check that the house wrap or tar paper overlaps are installed correctly.
Why this matters: Incorrect overlap patterns can allow moisture penetration, leading to insulation and structural issues later.
4. Check That All Systems Run Under Load
Turn on everything in the home simultaneously (lights, HVAC, appliances, fans) to test how your home's systems perform under actual use conditions.
The inspection strategy: Let everything run for as long as a full inspection takes (typically 3+ hours) to identify issues that only might only appear after sustained use.
What gets discovered: Electrical circuits that can't handle normal loads, HVAC systems that struggle with demand, and appliances that malfunction after extended use.
5. Test All Cabinet Doors and Drawers
Cabinet installation involves hundreds of small adjustments. Doors should open and close smoothly, and drawer faces should align perfectly across runs.
The systematic check: Open and close every cabinet door and drawer, checking for smooth operation and visual alignment.
Why this matters: Quality installation and attention to detail that extends to less visible construction elements.
6. Look for Nail Plates
During framing inspection, look for nail plates covering every location where pipes or wires penetrate studs. These protective plates are a sign of a quality-focused builder.
What to look for: Nail plates should be visible at every wire and pipe penetration through framing members. When you see comprehensive nail plate coverage, it's a positive indicator of thorough craftsmanship.
Why this matters: Proper nail plate installation demonstrates the builder's commitment to protecting your home's systems during construction.
7. Media Enclosures and Future-Proofing
Modern homes should include central locations for internet equipment with easy access to allow for future technology upgrades.
The tech check: Verify your home includes a structured media enclosure with proper ventilation and conduit access for future wiring needs.
Future value: Proper infrastructure makes technology upgrades simpler and less expensive throughout your home's life.
8. Check the Gutters
Even obvious exterior elements like gutters and downspouts can be overlooked during construction. Water sitting in gutters without proper drainage can cause problems right from the start.
The exterior walkthrough: Verify that every gutter section has appropriate downspouts and that water has a clear path away from your foundation.
Early detection benefit: Fixing missing downspouts during construction is easy to fix, water damage is not.
9. Inspect Mortar Sealing and Insulation
Quality construction includes proper mortar sealing under windows and correct insulation depth throughout the home. These details affect both energy efficiency and long-term durability.
The detail check: Look for complete mortar sealing around windows and verify insulation meets specified depths and coverage requirements.
System verification: Check that HVAC systems are properly sealed and that arc fault breakers function correctly before any electrical loads are connected.
10. Schedule Multiple Inspections
New homebuyers should get two third-party inspections: one before drywall installation and another before closing. Having both helps catch issues at the optimal time to make repairs.
The timing strategy: Pre-drywall inspections reveal structural and system issues while they're easily accessible. Final inspections catch finishing details and cosmetic concerns.
Professional insight: Even when builders conduct their own inspections, independent third-party inspectors provide valuable second opinions and detailed reports you can submit to your builder.
11. The Blue Tape Walkthrough
The blue tape walkthrough isn't a formal inspection — it's your chance to flag cosmetic and functional items that need attention before closing.
The documentation strategy: Mark issues with blue tape AND write them on the inspection worksheet. Photos help track completion.
Critical timing: This is typically your last chance to address issues before taking possession of your home.
The bottom line: Professional inspectors see hundreds of new homes each year and can catch overlooked and hard to see details. These checks are about ensuring your new home performs perfectly from day one.
Michael Letendre
Michael Letendre is a writer for NewHomeSource and Builder Magazine.