Your Builder's Walkthrough Is Not an Inspection
When you close on a new construction home in El Paso, your builder will walk you through the property and hand you a punch list. This is not a home inspection. The builder's representative works for the builder — their job is to get you to closing, not to document everything that is incomplete, incorrect, or deficient. A licensed, independent inspector works for you. That distinction matters more in new construction than anywhere else.
When to Schedule a New Construction Inspection
Inspector Pros recommends two separate inspections on new construction: a pre-drywall inspection before the walls are closed, and a final walk-through inspection before closing. The pre-drywall inspection is your only opportunity to see what is inside the walls — framing, electrical rough-in, plumbing rough-in, HVAC ductwork, and insulation. Once drywall goes up, those systems are hidden. The final inspection covers everything visible and accessible in the completed home. Book both for the best protection — Inspector Pros offers $100 off the final inspection when you book the pre-drywall first.
What We Look for at Pre-Drywall
At pre-drywall, your inspector is evaluating systems that will be inaccessible after the walls close: framing for proper spacing, notching, and bearing; electrical rough-in for proper wire routing, box placement, and panel location; plumbing rough-in for proper pipe material, slope, and support; HVAC ductwork for proper sizing, sealing, and routing; and insulation for correct placement and coverage. Issues found at this stage are easy and inexpensive for the builder to correct. The same issues found after closing — if they're found at all — can involve opening walls and significant disruption.
Why ICC Certification Matters for New Construction
Inspector Pros holds International Code Council (ICC) certification #8211646. ICC certification gives our inspectors deep knowledge of construction requirements — the same standards your builder is supposed to be following. For new construction inspections, that knowledge helps us identify issues that a general inspector without ICC training may not recognize. We document what we find and give you the information to have a direct conversation with your builder before you close.
Common New Construction Findings in El Paso
In the El Paso and Las Cruces new construction market, the most common findings include: missing or insufficient attic insulation (especially relevant given El Paso's extreme heat), improperly supported HVAC ductwork, missing GFCI protection at required locations, grading that directs water toward the foundation rather than away from it, roof flashing gaps at penetrations and valleys, and incomplete caulking at exterior penetrations. None of these are unusual — they reflect the reality of high-volume production construction where every trade is working fast. The question is whether they get documented and corrected before you take possession.
The 11-Month Warranty Inspection
Most new construction homes come with a one-year builder warranty. Before that warranty expires, Inspector Pros recommends an 11-month warranty inspection — a full inspection of the home at month 10 or 11, while the builder is still obligated to make repairs under warranty. Issues that develop in the first year after construction are often covered — but only if you find and document them before the warranty expires. Many buyers let the warranty expire without using it.
Inspector Pros performs new construction inspections throughout El Paso TX, Las Cruces NM, Horizon City, Socorro, and the surrounding region. Call or text (915) 209-2332 or book online — we offer same-week availability 7 days a week.