New Construction Inspections in Charleston, Summerville & the Lowcountry
Buying a brand-new home? New doesn’t necessarily mean defect-free. With multiple subcontractors working on tight construction schedules, installation errors, incomplete work, damaged components, and overlooked defects can make it all the way to the final walkthrough. Get an experienced, licensed Certified Master Inspector® on your side before you close. Patriot Home Inspections provides independent new construction inspections, easy scheduling, thermal imaging, detailed digital reports, and results delivered within 24 hours.
Your builder has supervisors, subcontractors, and municipal inspectors involved throughout construction. Each has an important role, but none of them works directly for you. Our job is different. We independently evaluate the completed home before closing, looking at the visible and accessible systems and components from the perspective of the person who is about to own it.
What Is a New Construction Inspection?
Building codes establish minimum standards that must be met for a new home to receive a certificate of occupancy. But code compliance is only part of the picture. Many components and systems in a new home also have manufacturer-specific installation requirements that may fall outside the scope of a typical municipal code inspection.
A new construction inspection is an independent evaluation of a newly built home, typically performed after construction is substantially complete and before your final walkthrough or closing. We inspect the roof, exterior, structure, electrical system, plumbing, heating and cooling equipment, attic, interior, installed appliances, and other accessible components of the completed home.
Even when a home has passed required municipal inspections, an independent inspection can identify installation defects, incomplete work, damage, safety concerns, and components that aren’t operating as intended. The goal isn’t to duplicate the building department’s work. It’s to give you an independent assessment of the home you’re preparing to purchase.
What to Expect
New Doesn’t Mean Defect-Free
A newly built home may look finished while still having issues that aren’t obvious during a final walkthrough. Many of the defects we find are the result of installation errors, incomplete work, or poor workmanship.
Builders and project managers supervise and juggle multiple subcontractors working against tight deadlines. With dozens of trades involved at different stages of construction, one crew may damage another crew’s work, components can be installed incorrectly, connections can be missed, and finish work can conceal conditions that deserve attention.
At Patriot Home Inspections, we evaluate the completed home to identify visible defects, incomplete work, safety concerns, and installation issues before you take ownership.
We look beyond fresh paint, new appliances, and clean finishes to evaluate the systems and components you’ll depend on after moving in.
Our goal is simple: identify concerns while your builder still has the opportunity to address them before closing.
The Right Time for Your Inspection
Your new construction inspection should be scheduled when the home is substantially complete but early enough for the builder to address concerns before your final walkthrough or closing.
Ideally:
Utilities should be connected and operating
HVAC systems should be operational
Plumbing fixtures should be installed
Electrical devices and fixtures should be installed
Appliances should be installed and connected
Interior and exterior finishes should be substantially complete
The inspection should occur before your final walkthrough and closing
Don’t wait until the morning of your walkthrough. Builders generally want the new build inspection completed up to a week before the walkthrough to allow time to review the report and address significant concerns.
Inspection Coverage
What We Inspect
A comprehensive evaluation of the completed home’s visible and accessible structural components, major systems, and installed features.
structure
Foundation & StructureVisible foundation components, floor systems, structural framing, columns, beams, and accessible crawl-space or basement structural conditions.
Interior
Interior ComponentsWalls, ceilings, floors, stairs, railings, windows, doors, cabinets, countertops, fireplaces, and other visible interior components.
Exterior
Exterior ComponentsSiding, trim, windows, exterior doors, decks, porches, balconies, walkways, grading, drainage, and other accessible exterior components.
ELECTRICAL
Electrical SystemService equipment, panels, accessible wiring, receptacles, switches, GFCI/AFCI protection, grounding components, lighting, and other visible electrical components.
PLUMBING
Plumbing SystemVisible supply and drain piping, fixtures, faucets, toilets, tubs, showers, water heaters, functional flow and drainage, and evidence of leakage.
HVAC
Heating & CoolingAccessible heating and cooling equipment, thermostats, distribution systems, visible ductwork, condensate systems, and normal operating controls.
ROOFING
Roofing SystemRoof coverings, flashing, penetrations, chimneys, gutters, drainage components, and visible roof structure from safely accessible areas.
Attic
Attic & InsulationAccessible roof framing, sheathing, insulation, ventilation, visible electrical components, ductwork, and evidence of moisture intrusion.
kitchen & appliances
Kitchen & Installed AppliancesCabinets, countertops, sinks, plumbing fixtures, accessible electrical components, ventilation, and installed appliances operated using normal controls.
Your Report
Clear Documentation for Your Builder
After the inspection, you’ll receive a detailed digital report documenting concerns observed throughout the completed home.
Significant findings include photographs and straightforward descriptions showing what was observed and where it was located. The report gives you documentation you can share with your builder or construction superintendent before your final walkthrough and closing.
Your report can help identify:
Visible construction defects and concerns
Incomplete or unfinished work
Damaged components
Safety concerns
Systems or components that aren’t operating properly
Items to discuss with your builder before closing
The goal is to give you and your builder a clear record of concerns while there’s still time to address them before you take ownership.
High-Resolution Photos
Important findings are documented with clear photographs.
Builder-Ready Documentation
Easily share the report with your builder or construction superintendent.
Clear Descriptions
Straightforward explanations identify the concern and its location.
Delivered Within 24 Hours
Digital report accessible from your phone, tablet, or computer.
Client Attendance
You’re Welcome to Attend
You’re encouraged to attend your new construction inspection when permitted by the builder.
If you’re able to attend, we’ll walk you through significant findings, answer questions, and help you become familiar with the home’s major systems and components before you move in.
Because the property may still be considered an active construction site, access requirements can vary by builder.
Attending gives you an opportunity to:
See important concerns firsthand
Ask questions about our findings
Learn how major systems operate
Become familiar with your new home
Know what to discuss during your final walkthrough
Can’t attend? That’s not a problem. Your detailed digital report and photographs will document our findings so you can review them and share the information with your builder.
local New Construction inspection
New Construction Inspections Across the Charleston Area
Independent inspections for newly built homes throughout Charleston, Summerville and surrounding Lowcountry communities.
With extensive new construction throughout Nexton, Cane Bay, Carnes Crossroads and surrounding communities, Summerville remains one of the Lowcountry’s busiest building areas. We inspect completed homes for defects, incomplete work, and systems that aren’t operating as intended.
Residential construction continues throughout Moncks Corner and communities such as Foxbank Plantation and Spring Grove. A new build inspection can identify incomplete work, installation defects, and other concerns while the builder still has an opportunity to address them.
New homes continue to be built throughout Goose Creek and along the Highway 176 corridor. We inspect the completed home’s major systems and components for defects, installation issues, incomplete work, and other concerns before your final walkthrough and closing.
New and custom construction on Daniel Island can involve complex building systems and finishes. We provide an independent inspection of the completed home to identify visible defects, installation issues, incomplete work, and other concerns before your final walkthrough.
From infill construction to new communities throughout Charleston, newly built homes involve numerous trades working through different phases of construction. We evaluate the completed home for visible defects, installation issues, incomplete work, and systems that aren’t operating as intended.
Johns Island continues to experience substantial residential construction, including large planned communities and custom homes. We provide independent inspections of completed homes to identify defects and construction concerns while the builder still has an opportunity to address them.
New Construction inspection faq
What Homebuyers Ask About New Construction Inspections
Answers to common questions about timing, builder inspections, reports, and what to expect before closing.
Does a brand-new home really need an inspection?
Yes. New homes can have defects just like existing homes. Construction involves numerous subcontractors working on tight schedules, and installation errors, incomplete work, damaged components, and overlooked defects can make it through the construction process.
Didn’t the city or county already inspect the house?
Required municipal inspections serve an important purpose, but they’re different from an independent home inspection performed for you. Building codes establish minimum standards, and many components in your new home have installation requirements that extend beyond the scope of a municipal code inspection. Our inspection evaluates the visible and accessible condition and operation of the completed home’s systems and components from the perspective of the buyer.
When should I schedule my new construction inspection?
Schedule it when construction is substantially complete and the home’s utilities, systems, fixtures, and appliances are operational, ideally about one week before your final walkthrough and closing. This gives you time to provide the report to your builder and follow up on significant findings.
What’s the difference between a pre-drywall inspection and a new construction inspection?
A pre-drywall inspection occurs earlier in construction while framing, wiring, plumbing, ductwork, and other components are still exposed. A new construction inspection occurs near completion and evaluates the finished home’s accessible systems and components before closing. For the most complete third-party oversight, buyers can schedule inspections at both stages.
What happens if you find problems?
Significant findings are documented in your report with photographs and descriptions. You can provide the report to your builder and discuss which items should be addressed before your final walkthrough or closing.
Will the builder fix everything in the report?
That’s ultimately between you and your builder and may depend on your contract, warranty, applicable standards, and the nature of the finding. Builders may refer to “tolerances” when determining whether an imperfection or condition requires correction. Our role is to independently inspect the home, clearly document the conditions we observe, and provide you with the information you need to discuss those findings with your builder.
Should I have another inspection before my builder warranty expires?
Yes. Conditions can become apparent after you’ve lived in the home and operated its systems through different seasons. An 11-month builder warranty inspection gives you another opportunity to identify concerns before the typical one-year warranty period expires.
How much does a new construction inspection cost?
Pricing depends on the home’s size, construction type, location, and complexity. Call 843-386-9100 for a quote based on your home.
Where We Work
Serving Summerville, Charleston, & The Lowcountry
Professional home inspections throughout the Summerville, Charleston and the Lowcountry including Dorchester, Charleston, Berkeley, and Colleton counties.
Daniel Island
Serving Charleston’s island community
James Island
Serving the Charleston peninsula gateway
Johns Island
Serving rural and coastal communities
West Ashley
Serving communities west of the Ashley
Charleston
Serving the historic Charleston peninsula
Mount Pleasant
Serving communities east of the Cooper
North Charleston
Serving the greater North Charleston area
Moncks Corner
Serving Berkeley County communities
Hanahan
Serving central Berkeley County
Goose Creek
Serving growing Berkeley County communities
Summerville
Serving the heart of the Lowcountry
What We Offer
Our Home Inspection Services
Professional Inspections for Buyers, Sellers, and Homeowners. Patriot Home Inspections offers a range of inspection services designed to help clients understand the true condition of a property.
Inspection and documentation to verify the foundation meets HUD, FHA, and VA permanent foundation guidelines required by many lenders.
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Evaluation of pool and spa systems including visible structural components, equipment operation, and safety features.
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