New Construction Phase Inspections

We Specialize in New Construction

Our team of local home inspection experts are dedicated to providing you with the most thorough and comprehensive inspection. We know the area and the unique challenges that come with local builders.

Note: The prices listed below are for the Midland/Odessa area only. While we may review site plans or blueprints for reference purposes only, we are not comparing what’s in place with what the architect or engineer stipulates in those plans. It is also important to understand that a third-party inspector does not have any authority over the builder. Our findings can be used by the client as a quality assurance measure with the builder. But we do not have the authority to enforce any changes or corrections.

Phase 1 - Footings Pre-Pour Inspection

$150

After the site pad is built, perimeter footings are dug and form boards are set into place. At this stage, we are inspecting things like the following:

Footing depth/width
Spacing, splicing and proper support of rebar considering depth/width of footing
Proper rebar clearance from the bottom and sides of the footing
No cave-ins or loose soil
And more!

Phase 2 - Plumbing Rough-In Inspection

Phase 1 - Footings Pre-Pour Inspection

$150

After the footings are poured, the plumbing is roughed in next. Typically form boards are being set into place at this time as well. During the plumbing rough-in inspection, we are inspecting things like the following:

The main sewer line depth and sloping
Sloping and support of any drain lines
Water line and drain line clearance from form boards.
Proper sleeving and insulation
Proper caps on risers/stand pipes
Clearance from steel reinforcement
Bath trap block-outs made of proper materials
Any form boards that are in place at this phase will also be inspected for proper support, etc. consistent with what is expected for that stage of construction
And more!

Phase 3 - Slab Pre-Pour Inspection

Phase 1 - Footings Pre-Pour Inspection

Phase 3 - Slab Pre-Pour Inspection

$150

Once the plumbing rough-in is complete and form boards are set into place, rebar will be set into place, which is the final step before pouring the slab. During this inspection, we are inspecting things like the following:

Rebar spacing
Proper clearance from grade and proper support (chairs or equivalent)
Proper clearance of edge strands from form boards
Clearance from plumbing pipes
Reinforcement at corners
Form board support and proper backfilling to prevent blowouts
Rebar ties, mudsill anchors,
Vapor barrier integrity (if present)
And more!

Phase 4 - Pre-Drywall Inspection

Regular Home Price (based on square footage)

Now that the most important part is done (the foundation), framing up the house begins to take place. It’s best to have the pre-drywall inspection done a day or two before they start hanging drywall. Often the builder has a date that the drywall will be delivered to the house and (often) staged in the garage. On or after the date is typically best.

Pre-insulation or Post-insulation?

A pre-drywall inspection can be done before or after insulation is in place and each way has its pros and cons. The good thing about getting the inspection before insulation is that more is visible because it’s not covered up with insulation. This allows for a more thorough inspection of the framing, electrical, and plumbing. However, we won’t be able to inspect the insulation. Once insulation is place, we get to inspect the insulation. But some of the framing, electrical and plumbing will be covered up. It’s really up to you when you want us to come out!

INSPECTION TIP: For those that want both, order the pre-drywall inspection (full price), then bring us back out to inspect the insulation for only $150.

What's Included at This Phase?

A pre-drywall inspection is much more comprehensive and time consuming than the first 3 phases. During this phase, we are inspecting things like the following:

FOUNDATION/STRUCTURE: bearing points and load transfers, sizing and spacing, damaged framing, exterior sheathing, weather-resistive barriers, window flashing, roof, sill plate sealing and anchoring, proper strapping where required, and more more!
ELECTRICAL: wiring strapping, nail plates, sealed penetrations and fenestrations, grounding/bonding, and more!
HVAC: While the equipment is not usually connected or operational at this stage, we are able to inspect the mechanical rough-in and (most importantly) the ductwork, as well as any mechanical exhaust fan ducting, make up air system installation, and energy recovery ventilators that may be in place.
PLUMBING: nail plate protection, strapping where framing members have been cut, venting, anchoring, spacing from other components, sleeving, any signs of leaks, drain pipe sloping (on two-story homes), and more!

Phase 5 - New Construction Final Inspection

Regular Home Price WITH 20% OFF

If we did your Phase 4 (pre-drywall) inspection, you get 20% off the final inspection!

At this stage we are performing a full home inspection and so the same standards of practice apply here as it would on any other fully built home.

MUST BE 100% MOVE-IN READY!!!

For this inspection, the home should be 100% move-in ready. Homes that do not have certain utilities on or are waiting on appliances or have breakers off are not 100% move-in ready. If the home is not 100% move-in ready, we cannot perform a proper inspection and the inspection you would get is not the inspection you are paying for. It is critical to ensure that the home is (not “should be”) 100% move-in ready prior to the inspection. If we arrive and find the home is not 100% move-in ready, you may be charged a cancellation fee (min. $450) or the full price of the inspection and no refund. Therefore it is critical that the home is 100% move-in ready.

We realize that it can be difficult to pin-point when the home will be 100% move-in ready. It is perfectly acceptable to reschedule as long as you do so 48 hours in advance.

Did we mention how important it is that the home is 100% move-in ready?! That means that at the time of inspection, someone should be able to be living in the house with no limitations (like “my dryer doesn’t work” because the breaker is off or “I can’t use my oven” because there’s packaging still place). We ask that clients use the language of “100% move-in ready” with the builder, not take their word for it when they say it is, and to triple check prior to the inspection to make certain for yourself that it’s 100% move-in ready.