Home Inspection For New Builds: Stress-Free Answers For Houston Owners
You wait months for your new home to take shape, then something feels off—a door won't close right, one room runs warmer than the rest. The builder says everything passed inspection, but you wonder what's hidden behind the walls.
At Accurate Home and Commercial Services, we provide home inspections for new builds that give you answers without the stress. Licensed, insured, and experienced across Greater Houston, we handle third-party IECC energy inspections and pre-drywall evaluations for residential and commercial projects.
Why New Construction Still Needs A Home Inspection
Common Assumptions About Brand-New Homes
Many owners assume a new build comes perfect out of the box—the builder used modern materials, the city inspector signed off, and the warranty looks solid.
Common assumptions we hear:
- The builder already checked everything
- City inspections cover energy efficiency and long term performance
- New systems will not have issues for years
Those assumptions rarely match reality. City inspectors focus on basic code compliance and safety. Builders work with tight timelines and multiple subcontractors. No one on that side works solely for you.
Our role as an independent, licensed inspector is different. We work for you, evaluating structure, safety, and energy performance in far more detail than a typical municipal inspection.
How Construction Timelines And Subcontractors Create Hidden Issues
Modern construction moves fast. Framers, plumbers, electricians, HVAC contractors, and insulation crews rotate through on overlapping schedules. Small coordination gaps create problems that show up later as drafts, comfort issues, or moisture concerns.
Examples we commonly find on new builds in Greater Houston include:
- Gaps in air sealing around top plates, can lights, and penetrations
- Duct runs squeezed around framing, restricting airflow
- Insulation compressed or missing behind tubs and fireplaces
- Improper flashing affecting moisture control
- Attic ventilation paths blocked by insulation or framing
A detailed home inspection for new builds, paired with energy focused checks, ensures your investment performs the way your contracts promised.
Energy Efficiency And Comfort Problems In New Builds
Typical Energy-Related Defects In New Homes
Owners who contact us for energy inspections usually share the same frustrations—rooms that never feel right and utility bills that seem too high for a brand new house.
Common energy related defects we uncover include:
- Poor air sealing at the building envelope
- Inconsistent insulation depth across the attic
- Duct leakage at joints and air handler connections
- Supply and return registers sized or located poorly
- Mechanical ventilation that is missing or misconfigured
Accurate Home and Commercial Services provides third party IECC energy inspections across Greater Houston, including REScheck and COMcheck documentation that many cities require.
How These Issues Show Up In Everyday Living
Construction defects show up as:
- A bonus room that is always hotter in summer and cooler in winter
- Drafts near windows, baseboards, or recessed lights
- Long HVAC run times without the house feeling comfortable
- Humidity levels that feel sticky even when the thermostat looks normal
Those symptoms often trace back to air leakage, duct losses, or mismatched equipment. We combine traditional home inspection for new builds with energy focused tools and IECC third party verification near Humble and surrounding cities, showing you not just what is wrong but how it affects daily comfort and running costs.
Pre-Drywall (Phase) Inspections For New Construction
What Inspectors Look For Before The Walls Are Closed
Pre drywall inspections catch issues at the only moment when structure, wiring, plumbing, and ducts are fully visible.
During this phase we typically review:
- Framing layout, connections, and fire blocking
- Plumbing routing and electrical runs
- HVAC duct layout, sizing, and support
- Penetrations through top plates and exterior walls
Accurate Home and Commercial Services offers dedicated pre cover inspections as part of home inspection for new builds. We flag concerns early and document them clearly so issues get corrected before finishes go up.
Catching Air Sealing, Insulation, And Duct Problems Early
Energy problems are easier and less expensive to fix before drywall arrives. During pre drywall inspections we focus on:
- Air sealing around penetrations, band joists, and rim areas
- Proper installation of baffles and blocking in the attic
- Duct tightness at joints and transitions
- Location of registers relative to windows and doors
Our inspectors understand IECC requirements and local interpretations used for home inspections in Greater Houston. You receive clear photos and recommendations to share with your builder before the walls close.
Final Home Inspection Before Move-In
Core Safety And Structural Checks
A final home inspection for new builds covers the finished house from roof to foundation, focusing on:
- Roofing, flashing, and exterior cladding
- Grading and drainage around the foundation
- Electrical panels, outlets, and fixtures
- Plumbing fixtures and visible supply lines
- Doors, windows, and interior finishes
Accurate Home and Commercial Services performs both residential and commercial inspections, applying broad experience to every new construction review. For lending related projects we coordinate draw inspections that document progress against loan terms.
Energy-Focused Checks At Final Inspection
During the final phase of home inspection for new builds we review insulation levels, air sealing around attic hatches, duct connections, thermostat location, and weatherstripping on exterior doors and windows.
Projects requiring IECC third party inspections near Humble or TAS inspection in Conroe TX can align final home inspections with energy code verification—one coordinated visit instead of scattered checks.
Specialized Energy Inspections And Testing Options
Blower Door Testing For Air Leaks
A blower door test measures how leaky or tight your home is as a complete system, answering questions such as whether air sealing worked as intended and whether the house hits local code targets.
Accurate Home and Commercial Services performs third party IECC energy inspections that often include blower door testing, documenting results clearly for you, your builder, and the code official.
Duct Leakage Testing And Ventilation Checks
Duct leakage testing measures how much conditioned air escapes into unconditioned spaces. Through testing we confirm whether systems meet energy code requirements and help builders prioritize sealing efforts. We also verify that mechanical ventilation systems operate as intended.
Verifying Insulation, Windows, And HVAC Performance
We take a holistic look at the building envelope and systems, including insulation quality, window and door ratings compared with REScheck or COMcheck documentation, and basic HVAC sizing relative to the floor plan.
Learn more on our dedicated pages for IECC inspections, home inspections, and construction design services.
How To Work With Your Builder And Inspector
When To Schedule Inspections In The Building Timeline
For most new homes we suggest:
- Plan review and energy consultation before permits
- Pre drywall inspection after rough framing but before insulation
- Final home inspection and energy testing before your last builder walk through
Accurate Home and Commercial Services coordinates with builders and city schedules so inspections fit naturally into the construction timeline.
Questions To Ask About Energy Performance And Warranty Coverage
Helpful topics to cover with your builder include which parts of the home are covered for comfort issues, how air sealing and duct testing are documented, whether the project will pass IECC third party inspections, and how warranty claims should be documented.
Keeping Records And Following Up On Repairs
Keep digital copies of all inspection reports, REScheck or COMcheck documents, and energy test results. Save dated photos of issues and repairs, and confirm corrections in writing.
Accurate Home and Commercial Services structures every report to serve as a practical reference with clear photos, location notes, and plain language explanations. For an appraisal please consult with a private appraisal company or your local realtor.
Conclusion
A brand new house should feel comfortable, efficient, and ready for real life from day one. Relying only on builder assurances or basic city checks leaves too much to chance.
Accurate Home and Commercial Services offers licensed, insured, and code aware home inspection for new builds, backed by decades of experience with IECC third party inspections, REScheck and COMcheck documentation, draw inspections, and comprehensive residential and commercial evaluations.
Schedule a Service Today with Accurate Home and Commercial Services, and let us turn your home inspection for new builds into a clear, stress free step toward a safe, comfortable, and energy efficient home in Greater Houston.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need a home inspection for new builds if the house passed city inspection?
City inspectors mainly verify basic code and safety. A dedicated home inspection for new builds provides a deeper, independent review of structure, safety, and energy performance, uncovering issues with air sealing, insulation, ducts, and moisture control that municipal checks often miss.
What does a pre-drywall inspection include on a new construction home?
A pre-drywall inspection reviews framing, fire blocking, window and door openings, plumbing and electrical runs, HVAC duct layout, and penetrations through exterior walls. It also checks how the building envelope is prepared for insulation and air sealing.
How can a home inspection for new builds improve comfort and energy efficiency?
Inspectors identify air leaks, insulation gaps, duct leakage, and poorly located registers that cause drafts, temperature imbalances, and high utility bills. Combining home inspection for new builds with IECC energy checks gives you specific fixes to discuss with your builder.
When is the best time to schedule inspections during a new home build?
Schedule a plan review before permits, a pre-drywall inspection after rough framing but before insulation, and a final home inspection with energy testing before your last builder walk-through.
How much does a new construction home inspection typically cost in Texas?
Costs generally range from $350–$700 for a standard single-family home, depending on size and added services like blower door or duct leakage testing. Larger homes or detailed energy inspections can increase the fee but often prevent more expensive problems later.
