Your First Year in a New Build: Walkthroughs, Warranties, and Punch Lists

Buying new construction in Two Step Farm removes a lot of the uncertainty of an older home. It does not remove all of it. A new house is assembled by people, then it settles through its first Texas summer and its first cold snap. Year one is when small things surface.

Here is how to handle that period well, so the builder fixes what should be fixed.

The pre-closing walkthrough is the most valuable hour of the process

This is your structured chance to document everything before you own it. Go slowly, and bring someone who is not emotionally invested in the house.

• Open and close every window, door, and cabinet.
• Run every faucet, then look underneath.
• Test every outlet, switch, and the HVAC in both modes.
• Look along walls at a low angle for drywall and paint issues, which is when they show.
• Photograph anything questionable and get it on the written list.

Verbal promises are not a punch list. If it is not written down, treat it as not agreed.

An independent inspection is still worth it

Municipal inspections confirm code compliance. They are not a quality review on your behalf. An independent inspector, ideally before closing, works for you — and their report becomes useful documentation later.

Read the warranty before you need it

Builder warranties are typically tiered: a short period covering workmanship and finishes, a longer period for major systems, and a longer one still for structural items. The exact terms and durations vary by builder, so read your own documents rather than assuming.

What matters most in practice:

• Know the submission process. Most builders require requests through a specific portal or form. An email to your sales rep usually does not start the clock.
• Know the deadlines. Cosmetic and workmanship windows are the shortest and the easiest to miss.
• Keep one running list. Note the date you noticed each item and the date you reported it.

Expect normal settling — and know where the line is

Small drywall cracks, nail pops, and doors that need adjusting after a season are ordinary. Water where water should not be, a system that fails, or anything structural is not. When in doubt, report it in writing and let the builder document their assessment.

Around month eleven, do a full re-walk

If your workmanship coverage runs a year, walk the entire house again a few weeks before it ends and submit one consolidated list. This is the single most useful thing new-build owners do, and the one most often skipped.

Where to get answers

Common questions about building and closing here are on our FAQ, and each builder in the community has its own page under builders.

If something in your first year does not seem right and you are not sure whether it qualifies, ask us before the window closes.