Pace has seen a steady wave of new residential development over the past several years, and that growth means a lot of buyers moving into homes that have never been lived in before. New construction feels like it should be free of the problems that come with an older property, but builders working on tight schedules and compressed timelines make mistakes just like anyone else. Here are five issues that show up repeatedly in newer Pace homes, and why scheduling an inspection near the end of your builder’s warranty period gives you a real chance to get them fixed.
One: Drywall Cracks From Normal Settling
Almost every new home settles at least a little during its first year, especially on Northwest Florida’s sandy and often uneven soils, and that settling frequently shows up as hairline cracks near doorways, windows, and ceiling corners. Most of these are cosmetic, but they are worth documenting anyway, since some settling related cracks point to something more significant happening structurally. An inspection near the end of your warranty period catches these while there is still time to have the builder address them.
Two: Grading and Drainage Issues That Only Show Up After a Full Season
Grading around new construction often looks fine on the day of closing, but it takes a full cycle of Gulf Coast rain to reveal whether water is actually draining away from the foundation the way it should. Pace’s heavy summer downpours make this an especially common finding in new construction that has been through one complete rainy season. Catching a drainage problem before the warranty expires can save a homeowner from a foundation or moisture issue down the road.
Three: HVAC Systems That Were Never Properly Balanced for Florida Humidity
New construction HVAC systems sometimes get installed correctly on paper but never get properly balanced for the specific layout of the finished home, and in a climate as humid as Northwest Florida, an unbalanced system can mean much more than an uncomfortable room. The result is usually a house with one or two spaces that run noticeably warmer or more humid than the rest, a problem that often does not become obvious until residents have lived through a full summer in the space.
Four: Minor Plumbing Leaks Hiding in Plain Sight
Small leaks around supply connections, under sinks, or at water heater fittings are a common finding during a warranty period inspection, and they are usually easy fixes when caught early. Left unaddressed in Florida’s humidity, even a slow leak can contribute to hidden moisture damage that costs far more to repair once the warranty window has closed.
Five: Sticking Doors, Uneven Caulking, and Other Finish Work Details
Builders moving fast to hit closing deadlines sometimes leave finish work slightly incomplete or imperfect. Doors that stick, gaps in caulking around windows and trim, and uneven paint lines are common but genuinely covered items under most standard one year warranties. These are easy for a homeowner to overlook individually, but a documented inspection captures the full list in one visit.
An inspection built around these five issues works best when scheduled close to the end of your builder’s standard warranty period, giving you enough time to submit a documented claim before that coverage closes. HUD’s guidance on the Warranty of Completion of Construction outlines what a standard one year builder warranty is generally intended to cover for new construction.
New construction buyers sometimes assume that because a home passed its final walkthrough and closing inspection, there is nothing left to check. In practice, many components in new construction need a full cycle of seasons to reveal how they truly perform, which is exactly why a warranty period inspection exists as a distinct step separate from those earlier checkpoints.
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly should I schedule this kind of inspection? Scheduling near the end of your first year after closing gives you enough buffer to document issues and submit a claim before the standard warranty period ends.
Are these five issues the only things checked during a warranty period inspection? No. The inspection covers the same major systems as a standard home inspection, with particular attention paid to conditions that commonly develop during a new home’s first year in this climate.
What if my builder disputes findings from the inspection? A documented report with photos and clear descriptions gives you a stronger position when discussing findings with your builder, though more significant disputes may require further negotiation.
Do all new construction homes in Pace need this inspection? Any home still under its original builder warranty benefits from it, since this is the best opportunity to catch and document issues before that coverage expires.
Do not let your builder’s warranty window close without a second look. Schedule Your Inspection with Axe and Attic Home Inspections before your first year is up.
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