Brand-new homes are often assumed to be free of defects, but that's frequently not the case. An independent new construction inspection catches the details a busy job site misses, while the builder is still on the hook to fix them.
It's a common assumption: a brand-new home must be flawless. Why would a house that was just built need a home inspection? But after inspecting new builds across the Tulsa area, I can tell you that overlooked details, incomplete work, and hidden issues are far more common than most buyers expect.
A new construction inspection is an independent, third-party evaluation of your newly built home before final walkthrough and closing, while the builder is still responsible for corrections.
I'm Anthonie Bounds, owner and lead inspector at Home Shield Inspections, a licensed and insured home inspector (OK License #70003206), InterNACHI® Certified (NACHI25051531) and ASHI Certified, serving Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Owasso, Jenks, Bixby, Sapulpa, and the surrounding Green Country communities.
Why Brand-New Homes Still Need an Inspection
New homes are built by people working on tight deadlines across dozens of trades. Even with quality builders and municipal inspectors, things get missed. Municipal inspections confirm a home meets minimum code. They aren't the same as a detailed review of workmanship and system performance the way you'll actually live in the home.
An independent inspection reviews the home with your interests in mind, documenting defects while the builder is still on the hook to fix them, before you take ownership.
What a New Construction Inspection Covers
A thorough new construction inspection evaluates the home's major systems and components, including:
- Foundation and structure: proper installation, grading, and drainage
- Roof and attic: roof covering, flashing, ventilation, and insulation
- Exterior and drainage: walls, trim, windows, doors, and how water moves away from the home
- Electrical: panel, wiring, outlets, and required safety protection
- Plumbing: supply, drains, fixtures, and the water heater
- HVAC: heating and cooling equipment verified under normal operation
- Installed appliances: operated using normal controls
Everything is checked for proper installation and operation, not just presence.
Common New Construction Findings
Some of the most frequent issues found on new builds in the Tulsa area include:
- Missing or improperly installed flashing
- Grading that slopes toward the foundation instead of away from it
- Incomplete attic insulation or blocked ventilation
- Plumbing fixtures that leak or drain slowly
- Electrical outlets missing required GFCI or AFCI protection
- HVAC systems that don't perform to spec
- Cosmetic and workmanship items missed on a busy job site
None of these mean your builder did poor work. They mean a second, independent set of eyes is worth having before you sign.
Independent Oversight Before You Close
You receive a clear digital report with photos and a punch-list-style summary you can share directly with your builder, so corrections are made before you close, not after you've moved in and the responsibility has shifted to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I schedule a new construction inspection?
Ideally before your final walkthrough and closing, so any findings can be added to the builder's punch list and corrected before you take ownership. Many buyers also add a pre-drywall inspection earlier in the build.
Won't the city inspection catch everything?
Municipal inspections verify minimum code compliance. They don't replace a detailed, buyer-focused review of workmanship and system performance.
How much does a new construction inspection cost?
Pricing is based on the home's heated square footage and starts at $375. See our pricing page for full details or call for an exact quote.
Inspect Before You Take Ownership
Don't take a brand-new home at face value. Learn more about our new construction inspection or schedule your inspection today.
Call Home Shield Inspections at 918-313-9003. Shielding what matters most.