Nick Strayer, executive director at Pro-spect Inspection Services, provides the following information to show that “just built” isn’t always “just right” when it comes to new construction.
There’s a common assumption that brand-new homes are flawless. Unfortunately, new does not automatically mean perfect. In reality, new construction homes can — and often do — have defects, oversights, and installation issues that a professional home inspection can uncover.
“Among the hundreds of newly constructed homes we inspected in Delaware and Maryland in 2025, 86% contained major defects, and every home had at least one issue requiring correction by the builder,” Strayer said.
It’s important to understand the difference between a municipal/county inspection and a home inspection. Municipal inspectors are primarily focused on code compliance at specific stages of construction. Their visits are brief and they are not performing a comprehensive, detail-oriented evaluation of the entire home. A home inspection, on the other hand, is designed specifically to evaluate the home’s overall condition, compliance to workmanship standards, and safety from the buyer’s perspective.
New construction involves dozens of subcontractors working on tight timelines. Electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, framers, roofers, insulators, drywall crews, and finish carpenters all move quickly from house to house. Even with good builders and supervisors, mistakes happen. Wires get pinched, ducts are left disconnected, attic insulation is incomplete, flashing is installed incorrectly, and plumbing fittings may have slow leaks. These aren’t signs of a “bad” builder — they’re signs that construction is a fast, human process with many moving parts.
A new build home inspection commonly reveals issues like missing insulation, missing flashing, damaged framing and structural components, attic ventilation problems, loose railings, or windows and doors that don’t seal properly. Left uncorrected, some of these issues can lead to higher energy bills, moisture intrusion, structural problems, or premature component failure.
Another key benefit of a new construction inspection is documentation. Most builders offer a one-year warranty. Having a professional inspection report before drywall installation, before closing, and again near the end of the warranty period gives homeowners a clear, written record of concerns that should be addressed while the builder is still responsible.
Safety is another major factor. Even in new homes, inspectors regularly find ungrounded electrical components, missing fire protection, missing fall protection at porches/decks, or unsafe venting configurations. These are issues that directly affect occupants’ health and safety.
Buying a home is one of the largest financial decisions most people will ever make. A thorough, independent evaluation helps buyers move forward with confidence and peace of mind, knowing the home has been carefully reviewed and any concerns can be addressed early.
Lauren Bunting is a Broker with Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva in Ocean City, Maryland.
