New construction maintenance checklist: What to expect in the first year

Key takeaways

• Drywall cracks, nail pops, sticking doors and minor floor gaps typically appear in newly constructed homes the first one to three years.
• Concrete foundations, drywall mud, paint and lumber all release moisture as they cure.
• Schedule a professional inspection at the 11-month mark to identify issues that can still be submitted to the builder.

People purchasing or seeking to buy new-construction homes are motivated in part by the desire to avoid the headaches often associated with older existing homes, including the high costs to fix them up.

Participants in a Homes.com New Construction Builder Survey conducted in June 2026 ranked lower maintenance and fewer repairs as number two among four reasons for deciding to buy a new home, behind customizing and personalizing the home to their tastes and needs and ahead of getting modern features and updated safety standards and technology and having a "blank slate" experience to live in a new home without wear and tear.

Almost one in five consumers —16% — were motivated by the idea of low maintenance. Here are some of the phrases and words they used elaborating on why that was important to them:

• "No issues"
• "Durable"
• "Last longer"
• "Peace of mind"
• "Warranty"
• "Fewer problems"

More than half of the 3,000 survey participants — 55% — were first-time or future first-time homebuyers. It may be a common assumption that a newly built home will not need much attention. But new construction comes with its own set of maintenance demands, some of which appear within the first few months. Understanding what to expect can help you avoid costly surprises and protect the value of your investment."Buying a new-construction home doesn't mean everything will be perfect or that you won't have repairs and expenses right away," said Indira DaSilva, who recently purchased a home in Margate, Florida. "Reality hits once you move in and start noticing that everything isn't necessarily as it seemed during the walkthrough."

Here's what to know about the upkeep of a newly constructed home.

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Every newly built home settles as the structure adjusts to the weight of its materials and the soil beneath it compresses. This process is unavoidable, and it typically produces visible effects in the first one to three years. Here's what to look for:

• Drywall cracks. Small cracks along seams, corners and around door and window frames are among the most common signs of settling. They are usually cosmetic, not structural, but they need to be patched and repainted.
• Nail pops. As framing lumber dries and shifts, nails can push through the drywall surface. You may notice small bumps or circles appearing on walls and ceilings. These are easy to fix with spackle and paint but will likely keep appearing during the first year or two.
• Sticking doors and windows. Settling can shift door frames slightly out of alignment. A door that closed perfectly at move-in may start sticking or not latching properly a few months later. Windows can develop the same issue.
• Minor floor gaps. Hardwood floors may develop small gaps between boards as the wood acclimates to the home's interior humidity. This is especially common during the first heating season when indoor air dries out.

But some flaws aren't minor. "We had cracked tiles in the foyer, our porch sank and had to be redone, the oven door was broken, the microwave was installed crooked, and a lot of the trim paint had to be corrected because of sloppy workmanship," DaSilva said. "We also ended up replacing all of the builder-grade appliances and fixtures within the first two years."

Newly constructed homes contain a significant amount of moisture. Concrete foundations, drywall mud, paint and lumber all release moisture as they cure and dry. This process can take several months to a year, and during that time, humidity levels inside the home can be higher than normal. Here are signs of trouble:

• Condensation on windows. Excess moisture in a tightly sealed new home often shows up as condensation on window glass, especially in cooler weather. Running exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens and using a dehumidifier can help.
• Musty smells in the basement. A newly poured concrete basement slab can take months to fully cure. During that time, moisture migrating through the concrete can create damp conditions. A dehumidifier is often necessary in the first year, even if the basement shows no visible water intrusion.
• Mold risk. Excess humidity in a sealed home can create conditions for mold growth, particularly in closets, behind furniture placed against exterior walls and in poorly ventilated bathrooms. Monitor humidity levels and keep them below 60%.

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Most builders offer a tiered warranty: typically one year for workmanship and materials, two years for mechanical systems like plumbing, electrical and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system and 10 years for structural defects. These terms vary by builder and state, so read your warranty documents carefully.

What the warranty usually does not cover:

• Homeowner maintenance items. If your heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system fails because you never changed the filter, the warranty likely will not cover the repair. Most warranties require the homeowner to perform routine maintenance as a condition of coverage.
• Cosmetic settling issues. Many builders will do a one-time drywall touch-up at the end of the first year, but ongoing nail pops and hairline cracks after that are typically the homeowner's responsibility.
• Landscaping and grading. Builders usually establish initial grading to direct water away from the foundation but maintaining that grade is the homeowner's responsibility. Soil can settle and shift, creating low spots where water pools against the house.
• Appliance warranties. The appliances in your new home are covered by the manufacturer, not the builder. Register each appliance with the manufacturer promptly so warranty claims are not delayed.

Make sure that your builder has taken the necessary steps to protect you if something goes wrong, said DaSilva. "We later had an expensive issue with our air conditioning," she said. The equipment was never registered, she said. "So we were not able to receive the full 10-year manufacturer's warranty," she explained. "When we eventually had an AC failure, we didn't have the warranty coverage we thought we had and ultimately ended up replacing the system."

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Your heating and cooling system is new, but it still requires regular maintenance from the start.

• Change the filter within the first 30 days. Construction dust, drywall particles and debris from the building process will clog your HVAC filter faster than normal. Check it monthly for the first six months.
• Have the system inspected after the first full heating and cooling seasons. A technician can verify that the system is performing as designed, refrigerant levels are correct and ductwork connections are tight.
• Check for duct leaks. Ductwork in new homes can have loose connections or gaps at joints. If certain rooms are noticeably warmer or cooler than others, have the ducts inspected and sealed.
• Test the water heater pressure relief valve. This is a safety check that should be done annually, starting in the first year.

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Builders typically install the minimum landscaping required, which often means basic grading, sod and a few foundation plantings. The yard will need ongoing attention.

• Water new sod aggressively. Newly laid sod needs consistent watering to establish roots. Follow the builder's watering schedule or consult a local extension office for guidance specific to your climate and soil type.
• Monitor grading and drainage. As the soil around the foundation settles, the grade can change. Water should always flow away from the house. If you notice pooling near the foundation, regrade the area before it causes water intrusion.
• Protect young trees. If the builder planted trees, they may need staking, mulching and supplemental watering for the first two growing seasons.
• Plan for erosion. New construction lots often have exposed or minimally established soil that is vulnerable to erosion during heavy rain. Mulch beds, ground cover and retaining measures may be needed.

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Even though everything in your home is new, establishing a maintenance schedule in the first year will prevent small issues from becoming expensive repairs. A basic first-year checklist:

• Change HVAC filters monthly for the first six months, then every 90 days
• Run bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans during and after use to manage moisture
• Inspect caulking around tubs, showers, sinks and exterior windows
• Test smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and the garage door auto-reverse
• Check for settling cracks and nail pops and plan a touch-up session before the one-year warranty walkthrough
• Monitor the basement or crawl space for moisture
• Inspect the roof, gutters and downspouts after the first major storm season
• Maintain the yard grading so water drains away from the foundation

"My biggest advice is to pay very close attention during your walkthrough, document anything that doesn't look right, and make sure you receive and understand the warranty information for the major equipment in your home," DaSilva said. "Don't assume everything has been taken care of just because the house is new."

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