Short answer? Yes. Absolutely.
We’ve seen some shocking work passed off as “brand new” homes—poor finishing, unconsented changes, corners cut behind the walls, and in some cases, critical details completely missed. Just because a home is new doesn’t mean it’s problem-free.
If anything, new builds come with their own set of risks, and the consequences often don’t show up until after the builder’s warranty starts to fade.
“It’s just been built—what could be wrong?”
Plenty.
New homes are often built at speed, by multiple sub-contractors, under tight deadlines. That means mistakes happen.
Communication breaks down. And sometimes the final result gets rushed to handover without a proper internal quality check.
Here’s what we’ve personally seen in new builds:
- Leaky showers from poor waterproofing
- Insulation missing from walls and ceilings
- Joinery not installed to spec
- Roof flashings incorrectly fitted
- Slabs poured without proper drainage fall
That’s not hypothetical—that’s real.
Isn’t it already covered by Code Compliance?
Not really.
The Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) confirms that the council believes the building generally complies with the building code—based on the documentation and inspections provided.
But council inspectors don’t check everything. They’re time-limited, and often rely on what’s been submitted by the builder or project manager.
What they don’t do:
- Moisture testing
- Detailed checks of finish quality
- Assess long-term durability of work
- Test that all systems (like drainage) actually perform under use
A private building inspection gives you peace of mind that nothing was missed or skipped during the handover rush.
Who’s Responsible if Something Fails Later?
You are.
Once you take possession, it’s your problem to fix—even if the issue came from the build.
While you may be covered under a 12-month defects warranty or the 10-year builder’s guarantee, good luck getting fast action without clear documentation.
A professional inspection gives you leverage. It creates a record of any issues before handover, so the builder can fix them on their clock—not yours.
What We Check in a New Build Inspection
This isn’t just a “walk around with a clipboard” job. Our new build inspections include:
- Detailed internal and external checks
- Moisture testing in all wet areas
- Roofing, flashings, cladding, joinery
- Insulation coverage
- Drainage slope and water flow
- Workmanship quality (yes, we check the finish too)
We pick up what the builder’s team might miss—or what they hope you won’t notice until it’s too late.
Final Word
Just because it’s new doesn’t mean it’s right. And by the time you find the problems, you’ve already paid for them.
We’ve inspected brand new homes with more issues than 30-year-old properties.
If you’re about to sign off on a new build, don’t do it blind. We’ll give you a full, independent report—so you know exactly what you’re walking into.
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