New Construction Home Inspection in Massachusetts Pre-Drywall, Final Walk, or 11-Month Warranty — Independent at Every Phase
New Doesn't Mean Problem-Free
Builders are under schedule pressure. Subcontractors work fast and move on. Municipal inspectors check code compliance at specific milestones — they don't evaluate whether every system was installed correctly or whether every detail will perform over time. A passed final inspection means the home meets minimum code. It doesn't mean it was built right.
Ken Arnold has conducted new construction inspections across the Pioneer Valley since 2004. The findings are consistent: missing kickout flashing, undersized return-air ducts, plumbing crossover, missed fireblocking, attic ventilation gaps, electrical violations, and finish-quality issues the builder's punch list never captures. A new construction inspection with Ken is independent — he has no relationship with the builder, takes no referral fees, and has no interest in the outcome other than giving you an accurate picture of what you're buying. Many buyers in the region also add radon testing at new construction — the best time to test, and the easiest time to require mitigation as a condition of purchase.
Before the Warranty Clock Starts Running
There are three meaningful inspection points on a new build. Ken can perform one, two, or all three — depending on where you are in the process.
01
Pre-Drywall Inspection
Once framing, rough electrical, rough plumbing, and HVAC are in — but before insulation and drywall — Ken photographs every wall cavity and ceiling bay. This is the only chance to see what's behind the walls before they're closed permanently. Findings at this stage are dramatically cheaper to fix than post-close discoveries.
02
Final-Walk Inspection
A pre-closing inspection of the finished home — same scope as a buyer inspection. Catches finish-quality issues, systems that were installed but never fully connected, exterior caulking gaps, mislabeled breakers, and anything else the builder's punch list overlooked. Documented with photographs before closing.
03
11-Month Warranty Inspection
Most production builders offer a one-year workmanship warranty. An inspection at 11 months — just before that warranty expires — surfaces problems that have emerged during the first heating-and-cooling cycle and full year of use. Items documented at this point are still on the builder's bill.
04
Detailed Digital Report
Your photo-documented report is organized by system, with findings framed for your specific phase: what to require the builder to address before closing, or what to present to the warranty department before your coverage expires. Delivered promptly so you can act before your deadline.
Every Property Is Different. So Is Every Inspection.
Ken Arnold Home Inspection LLC offers a full range of residential inspection services across Massachusetts — each scoped to the property type, your role in the transaction, and what's at stake.
Buyer Home Inspection
A thorough, independent inspection of every major system before you close — 22 years of Pioneer Valley experience documented in a detailed photo report.
Learn more about Buyer Home Inspection — Learn MorePre-Listing Home Inspection
Find out what a buyer's inspector will find — before you list. Get ahead of objections, price the home accurately, and shorten your time on market.
Learn more about Pre-Listing Home Inspection — Learn MoreCondo & Townhouse Inspection
Targeted inspection of your unit plus the shared-system review most condo buyers don't get — common to mill conversions, downtown buildings, and townhouse complexes across Western Mass.
Learn more about Condo & Townhouse Inspection — Learn MoreMulti-Family Home Inspection
Triple-deckers, two-families, and four-unit investment properties — each unit and shared system documented separately for buyers and investors.
Learn more about Multi-Family Home Inspection — Learn MoreAnnual & Preventative Home Inspection
Full-scope inspection for current owners — oriented to maintenance planning, not closing pressure. Worth doing every 3–5 years on older Pioneer Valley homes.
Learn more about Annual & Preventative Home Inspection — Learn More
Independent. Not on the Builder's Preferred Vendor List.
A new construction inspection is only useful if the inspector owes no favors to the builder. Ken Arnold is not on any builder's preferred-vendor list, takes no referral fees, and has no interest in protecting the builder's reputation. His only obligation is giving you an accurate picture of what was built — at whatever phase you're at — so you can protect yourself during the transaction, at closing, and during your warranty period.
- Massachusetts License #587 — 22 years of new construction inspections
- Pre-drywall, final-walk, and 11-month warranty inspections — any phase
- No builder relationships, no referral programs, no conflicts of interest
- Findings framed for your phase: pre-close correction or warranty claim
- Photo report delivered before your deadline — organized by phase
Specialty Testing Added to the Same Visit
The most consequential risks — radon, water quality, wood-destroying insects, hidden moisture — aren't visible on a standard inspection. Add specialty testing to your appointment and address everything in one visit.
Radon Testing
48-hour continuous-monitor radon testing in the Pioneer Valley. Add to any home inspection or schedule standalone.
Learn MoreThermal Imaging Inspection
Infrared scanning surfaces issues invisible to the naked eye — water intrusion, missing insulation, electrical hot spots, and HVAC performance problems.
Learn MoreWell Water Testing
Comprehensive pre-purchase well water testing for rural Pioneer Valley properties. Lab analysis through state-certified labs, results in 5–10 business days.
Learn MoreTermite & WDI Inspection
NPMA-33 wood-destroying insect inspection — required for most VA, FHA, and many investor loans. Carpenter ant, carpenter bee, and powderpost beetle evaluation included.
Learn MoreWhat Clients Say
Buyers in Deerfield, Northampton, Hadley, and across the Pioneer Valley who had independent inspections on new builds.
"The pre-drywall inspection was eye-opening. Ken found three plumbing rough-ins that weren't sloped correctly and a section of framing with missing fire blocking. The builder fixed everything before the walls closed. I'd never have known otherwise."
Brian & Stephanie L.
New Construction Buyers, Deerfield
"I thought a new house would sail through inspection. Ken found 23 items at the final walk — including a bathroom exhaust fan that was vented into the attic instead of outside. Not a single one was on the builder's punch list."
Melissa K.
New Construction Buyer, Northampton
"The 11-month inspection paid for itself immediately. Ken found settlement cracks in the foundation wall and an HVAC duct that had come loose at a joint. Both were fixed under warranty. Without the inspection I'd have discovered them years later, out of pocket."
Andrew T.
Homeowner, Hadley
Frequently Asked Questions About This Inspection
Protect Your New Home Before the Warranty Runs Out Schedule Your New Construction Inspection Today
New homes are built under schedule pressure — and that pressure produces findings. Ken Arnold delivers pre-drywall, final-walk, and 11-month warranty inspections across the Pioneer Valley, with detailed digital reports and no builder relationships to protect.
Licensed Home Inspector MA #587 · 35 Keets Rd, Deerfield, MA 01342 · Serving Franklin County, Hampshire County & the Pioneer Valley