New Construction Home Inspections in Dallas-Fort Worth

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New Construction Inspections

Quick answer

Yes. A new construction inspection in DFW is worth scheduling at three points: before drywall goes up, at the final walkthrough stage before closing, and in the 11th month before the builder’s one-year warranty ends. Each stage exposes different work, and an independent TREC-licensed inspector documents it for you, not for the builder.

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Why a brand-new home still needs an independent inspection

A new house is built by dozens of trades working on tight schedules, and the people checking their work are mostly checking for code minimums on a short visit. New does not mean defect-free. It means nobody has lived in the house long enough to notice what was missed.

Do new construction homes need a home inspection explains why that is, what a final inspection typically catches, and how the builder’s walkthrough differs from an inspection done on your behalf. The short version: the builder’s walkthrough is about cosmetic acceptance, and yours is about whether the systems were installed correctly.

You are also allowed to bring in your own inspector. Can I hire my own inspector for a new construction home covers your right to an independent inspection in general terms, how to arrange access with the builder, what to expect when you hand over the report, and what usually happens if the builder disputes a finding. None of that is legal advice; it is what the process looks like from the inspector’s side.

The new construction inspection DFW timeline: three visits, three purposes

New construction inspections follow the build, not the calendar. The three points below are the moments when the most is visible and the most can still be corrected cheaply.

Pre-drywall inspection. Scheduled after the framing, plumbing, electrical and HVAC rough-ins are complete and before insulation and drywall cover them. This is the only time anyone will see the inside of the walls. The inspector looks at framing, plumbing and electrical rough-in, duct runs, window flashing and fire blocking. What a pre-drywall inspection is and when to schedule it explains how to time it around the city’s rough-in inspection and how to coordinate with the builder.
Final inspection. Done at the walkthrough stage, once the house is essentially complete and before you close. This is a full home inspection under the TREC Standards of Practice with thermal imaging included: roof, attic, structure, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, appliances, grading and drainage, plus any add-ons such as a sprinkler system. The report goes to you, and you give it to the builder for correction before closing.
11-month builder warranty inspection. Scheduled in the 11th month after closing, before the typical one-year builder workmanship warranty ends. A year of settling, seasonal movement and daily use reveals things that were not visible at the final. What an 11-month builder warranty inspection is explains what the inspector documents and how to submit the report to the builder.

If you missed the pre-drywall window, the final and 11-month inspections are still worth doing. If you are reading this before the slab is poured, you can plan for all three.

What each stage catches

Each visit looks at different work because different work is exposed. The table gives the general pattern; the page on what inspectors commonly find in new construction homes goes system by system, explains why the problems happen on a busy job site, and which ones are worth pressing the builder on.

Stage	What is exposed	Typical findings
Pre-drywall	Framing, rough plumbing, rough electrical, ductwork, window and door flashing	Missing fire blocking, notched or damaged framing, unsupported plumbing, duct connections, flashing gaps
Final	Every finished system, attic, roof covering, exterior grading, appliances	Insulation gaps, roof flashing and nail pops, GFCI and labeling issues, leaks at fixture connections, drainage sloping toward the house, doors and windows out of adjustment
11-month	A year of performance and settling	Drywall and trim separation, doors that no longer latch, HVAC and duct issues under real load, grading that has settled, plumbing drips that appeared after months of use

Every finding is photographed and written up in plain language so the builder’s superintendent can find it and fix it without a translator.

The city inspection is not your inspection

Municipal inspectors do visit new builds, and their approval matters, but their job is a pass-or-fail check on code items at specific milestones in a limited amount of time. They are not evaluating workmanship, performance or the things that will bother you as an owner. They work for the city; your inspector works for you.

Does the city inspection replace a private new construction inspection compares the two, explains what falls through the gap between them, and shows how phase inspections fit between city milestones. A TREC inspection is not a code-compliance certification, and a city sign-off is not a condition report. You want both, for different reasons.

Keep in mind: A certificate of occupancy tells you the city allowed the house to be occupied. It does not tell you the attic is fully insulated, the ducts are sealed, or the grading drains away from the slab.

Thermal imaging on a new build

Thermal imaging is included at no extra charge on every inspection The Smart Inspector performs, and new construction is where it earns its keep. An infrared camera shows temperature differences on surfaces, which is how missing or thin insulation in attic and wall cavities shows up as a pattern on a ceiling or wall that looks perfect to the eye.

It also helps spot air leaks around windows and recessed lights, duct leaks in the attic, and moisture at fresh plumbing connections that has not yet stained anything. On an 11-month inspection, it is one of the fastest ways to find a slow leak under a bathroom before it becomes a repair. Read more on the thermal imaging service page.

Working with your builder

Independent inspections on new builds are a normal part of buying in Dallas-Fort Worth, and a few practical points make the process smoother with any builder.

Tell the builder or superintendent early that you plan to have pre-drywall, final and 11-month inspections, and ask how they prefer to schedule access.
For the pre-drywall visit, ask to be notified when rough-ins are complete and before insulation is scheduled. The window can be only a few days.
Book the final inspection before the builder’s blue-tape walkthrough so you can bring the report with you.
Submit the report in writing and keep a copy with dates. Same-day delivery makes this easy.
For warranty items, submit before the one-year mark, not on it.

You can book any of the three inspections online and note the build stage on the form, or call (817) 842-0330 and Candice will help you time it against the builder’s schedule.

New construction inspections across DFW, including the fastest-growing cities

The northern Collin and Denton County corridor, especially Celina, Prosper, Frisco and McKinney, has some of the largest volumes of new construction in North Texas, and that is where pre-drywall and 11-month warranty inspections are most in demand. Newer subdivisions in Mansfield, Midlothian, Waxahachie and Burleson, and infill builds in Dallas and Fort Worth, are covered the same way. Every city below has its own new-construction inspection page.

If your build is in a community that is not listed, it is almost certainly still in the service area. The company is based in Arlington and serves over 100 communities across the Metroplex; see the service areas page or just call.

What you receive at every stage

Each new construction inspection ends with a same-day, web-based report full of photos and plain-language comments, and an in-person walkthrough at the house so you understand what to hand the builder. If you cannot be on site, your inspector reviews the report with you by phone.

Sample reports for a new home inspection, a pre-drywall phase inspection and a 1-year warranty inspection are published on the sample inspections page, so you can see exactly what a builder will receive before you book. Pricing depends on the home’s square footage and the stage being inspected; use the quote form for a number specific to your build.

Frequently asked questions

When exactly should I schedule the pre-drywall inspection?

After the framing, plumbing, electrical and HVAC rough-ins are finished and have passed the city's rough-in inspection, but before insulation and drywall are installed. That window can be short, sometimes only a few days, so ask the builder to notify you when rough-ins are complete and book as soon as you have a date. Once drywall is up, the work behind it cannot be inspected.

Can the builder refuse to let my inspector on site?

Access to the site during construction is governed by your purchase agreement and the builder's site rules, so read those and ask early. If access is a concern, raise it with the builder and your agent before the pre-drywall stage. The Smart Inspector cannot give legal advice on contract rights, but can help you time the visits.

Is a final new construction inspection the same as a regular home inspection?

It follows the same TREC Standards of Practice and uses the same report form, so the scope is the same: structure, roof, attic, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, appliances, grading and drainage, plus optional systems. The difference is emphasis. On a new build the inspector is looking for installation errors and unfinished work rather than wear, and thermal imaging is used heavily to check insulation and duct work.

Why the 11th month and not the 12th?

Many builders provide a one-year workmanship warranty that ends around the first anniversary of closing. Inspecting in the 11th month leaves time to receive the report the same day, submit the findings to the builder in writing, and get a response before the warranty period closes. Waiting until month 12 risks discovering a problem a few days after the builder's obligation has ended.

Does The Smart Inspector inspect new construction in Celina, Prosper and Frisco?

Yes. Celina, Prosper, Frisco and McKinney are among the busiest new-construction cities in North Texas and are a regular part of the schedule, along with all twenty cities that have dedicated new-construction pages and the wider Metroplex. Each city page describes what is common in that area. If your community is not listed, call (817) 842-0330 to confirm coverage.

Ready to schedule? Every inspection includes complimentary thermal imaging, a same-day report and an in-person walkthrough.