New doesn't mean perfect.

Why inspect a new home?

Municipal inspections are not home inspections.

Many buyers of newly constructed homes assume that municipal code inspections mean the house has been thoroughly evaluated. They haven't. Municipal inspectors verify minimum code compliance at specific construction stages — they check that the framing meets structural requirements, that electrical and plumbing rough-ins are to code, and that the foundation was built to spec. But they don't evaluate the quality of finish work, the performance of installed systems, or the dozens of details that affect how a home actually functions day to day.

Gio has inspected new construction across Metro Detroit's active building corridors — from large-scale subdivision developments in Macomb and Oakland Counties to custom builds on private lots. The issues he finds are not defects that indicate a bad builder. They're the natural result of complex projects involving dozens of subcontractors, tight timelines, and handoff gaps between trades. A missing attic baffle, an improperly vented bathroom fan, a garage firewall gap, a grading issue that directs water toward the foundation — these are common, fixable, and far easier to address before closing than after.

What Gio looks for in new construction

• HVAC commissioning: Verifying that heating and cooling systems are properly installed, connected, and producing the expected output at each register
• Bathroom and kitchen venting: Confirming exhaust fans terminate to the exterior and are not dumping moisture into the attic
• Garage fire separation: Checking that the firewall between the garage and living space is continuous and properly sealed
• Grading and drainage: Evaluating how the lot directs water away from the foundation — a common issue in the first year of construction as fill material settles
• Window and door installations: Testing operation, checking seals, and looking for improper flashing details
• Electrical panel and outlets: Verifying proper wiring, GFCI protection in wet areas, and arc-fault protection where required by current code
• Attic insulation and ventilation: Ensuring baffles are in place, insulation coverage is uniform, and soffit venting is not blocked

When to schedule a new construction inspection

The ideal timing is after the builder's final walkthrough but before your closing date. This gives the builder time to address any findings while they're still contractually responsible. Some buyers also opt for a phase inspection during construction — typically at the pre-drywall stage — which allows Gio to evaluate framing, rough-ins, and insulation before they're covered up. Both approaches are valuable, and Gio can advise on which makes sense for your situation.