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A brand-new home can still have installation mistakes, unfinished work, or construction defects.
An independent new construction home inspection gives you another set of experienced eyes on the property before you accept the home from the builder. Total House Inspection evaluates the home’s accessible major systems and components and provides a detailed, photo-supported report you can use to discuss concerns with your builder.
We inspect new homes throughout Southeast Michigan, including Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Washtenaw, Genesee, St. Clair, Livingston, and surrounding counties.
Building a new home? Verify it before you move in.
Furthermore, another reason to have a new construction home inspection is the advice that the buyer is getting from the home inspector. The home inspector will advise the buyer about the routine maintenance, talk about ways to improve some of the systems in the house that the builder is not required to do, and answer questions about the new systems in the house that the clients didn’t have in the previous home.
Yes. A new house has not had years to develop wear and tear, but that does not mean every component was installed correctly.
A new home is built by many different contractors and subcontractors working on tight schedules. Even good builders can have missed, incomplete, or incorrectly installed items.
Municipal building inspections are also different from an independent home inspection. Building officials evaluate construction according to applicable requirements at specific stages of construction. Your independent inspector evaluates the accessible home from the buyer’s perspective and documents visible defects, safety concerns, installation problems, and components that may not be functioning as intended.
The goal isn’t to criticize the builder. It’s to give you independent information about the home you’re about to own.
Broken roof trusses
Missing siding
Ducts completely unattached
Contractors installed too little insulation in the attic
Raised roof shingles, allowing water to penetrate underneath the shingles
Loose outlets, or outlets without power
Missing caulking
This new construction inspection in Rochester Hills, MI shows that most of the insulation in the attic was 18 inches. One area of the attic (about 1/3) had only 12 inches of insulation installed. Therefore six inches of insulation was missing.
This new property inspection in Shelby Township discovered that the roof was improperly installed with a gap. Water could penetrate. While all the roof was properly installed, this small issue can cause bigger issues if not fixed.
This issue was found in a new construction in Troy. The humidifier water supply line was not connected.
The shower floor was not properly caulked between the floor and the wall tiles. As a result of this issue, water can penetrate behind the wall.
A question we hear frequently is:
“Didn’t the city already inspect my house?”
Probably—but the two inspections serve different purposes.
| Municipal Building Inspection | Independent Home Inspection |
|---|---|
| Conducted as part of the construction approval process | Requested for the buyer |
| Focuses on applicable construction requirements at particular stages | Evaluates the accessible condition of the finished or partially finished home |
| May occur during multiple construction phases | Can be scheduled before drywall, before closing, or during the warranty period |
| Does not replace your own inspection | Provides an independent report for you |
Passing municipal inspections should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every component of the finished home is free from defects.
Your builder has a job to do.
Your municipal inspector has a job to do.
Your home inspector has a different job: helping you understand the home you’re about to own.
Whether your home is still at the pre-drywall stage, nearly ready for closing, or approaching the end of its first-year builder warranty, Total House Inspection can help you get a clearer picture of its condition.
Located in Troy Michigan, we inspect homes and commercial buildings in the following counties:
Please call us even if you are outside the area. We will make an effort to accommodate you, and your house inspection needs.
Take a look at a real sample report before you book — clear, photo-backed, and easy to read.
Yes. New homes can still have construction defects, unfinished work, installation mistakes, or components that do not operate as intended. An independent certified inspection gives the buyer a detailed evaluation of the home's accessible systems and components before taking ownership.
Yes, new construction normally goes through required municipal inspections, but a municipal inspection and an independent home inspection serve different purposes. Municipal inspectors evaluate applicable construction requirements at specific stages. An independent home inspector evaluates the accessible home for the buyer and documents observed defects, safety concerns, and installation problems.
Useful inspection stages include before drywall is installed, after construction is substantially complete but before closing, and near the end of the builder's initial warranty period. The stages available to you depend on your builder, purchase agreement, construction schedule, and access requirements.
A pre-drywall inspection takes place after major framing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and other rough-in work has been installed but before these components are concealed by drywall and other finishes. It provides an opportunity to identify visible concerns while many construction components remain accessible.
A final inspection typically evaluates accessible roofing, exterior components, foundation and structure, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, attic, insulation, ventilation, windows, doors, interiors, installed fixtures, grading, and drainage.
No. A builder walkthrough typically focuses on completion, operation of the home, cosmetic concerns, and punch-list items. An independent home inspection is a separate evaluation of the home's accessible systems and components.
Examples can include roofing installation problems, disconnected HVAC ducts, inconsistent attic insulation, non-functioning electrical outlets, plumbing leaks or unfinished connections, missing sealant, damaged framing, and grading or drainage concerns.
Inspection time depends on the home's size, construction stage, accessibility, and installed systems. A complete inspection commonly takes several hours. When scheduling, Total House Inspection can provide a more specific expectation based on the property.
Yes. The report documents observed conditions with descriptions and photographs, making it useful when discussing potential corrections with your builder. The inspector does not determine which items your builder is contractually required to repair.
It can be worthwhile. Some concerns only become visible after the home has experienced normal use and seasonal weather. An inspection before the builder warranty deadline can document conditions you may want to discuss with the builder. Warranty coverage varies, so homeowners should verify their specific warranty terms.
Yes. Total House Inspection serves Southeast Michigan, including Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Washtenaw, Genesee, St. Clair, Livingston, and surrounding areas.