In short: A new Gastonia home had 13 repair items, 8 of them electrical. See the photos and why a new construction inspection before closing protects buyers.
📅 October 22, 2026 • ⏱️ 6 min read
Case study · New construction inspection · Gastonia, NC
This brand-new ranch home in Gastonia was ready for its buyer. Our inspection found 13 items that needed repair, and 8 of them were electrical.
The property at a glance
| Home | Ranch, single story |
| Age | New construction |
| Foundation | Slab |
| Items to repair | 13 |
Many buyers skip the inspection on a new home because it passed the county’s code inspections. Code inspections check that a house meets minimum standards at certain stages of construction. They don’t test every light, switch and outlet, or catch a water heater that was never set up right. A home inspection does.
What our inspector found
Repair · Electrical · Main panel
Main service wires routed over the branch circuits
Inside the main exterior panel, the large service entrance conductors ran over the branch wiring next to the breakers and were in contact with it. That isn’t how the service feed is normally routed. It limits access for future work and may be connected to the other electrical problems we found throughout the house. We recommended a licensed electrician and the local utility evaluate it.
Repair · Electrical · Fixtures
Light fixtures that didn’t work
The living room ceiling fan light, the hallway light, the rear guest bedroom light and the rear exterior light all failed to work when tested. In a new home, that points to wiring problems at the switches or fixtures rather than burned-out bulbs.
Repair · Electrical · Switches
Three-way switches wired incorrectly
A three-way switch lets you control one light from two locations. At the dining room, the light only worked when the living room switch was in the up position. At the entry foyer, the light wouldn’t shut off at all. Both are wiring mistakes that a licensed electrician needs to correct.
Repair · Electrical · Receptacles
Outlets with no power
Outlets in the living room and rear guest bedroom had no power, even though their breaker was on. We test a representative number of outlets in every home, and dead outlets in a brand-new house suggest a branch wiring problem inside the panel.
Safety · Electrical · GFCI
Exterior GFCI outlet that wouldn’t reset
GFCI outlets protect you from shock in wet areas. The one at the rear of the home was tripped and would not reset, another sign of a branch wiring issue. Until it’s fixed, that outdoor outlet provides neither power nor protection.
Repair · Plumbing · Water heater
No hot water
The water heater wasn’t producing hot water, even though its breaker was already on when we arrived. One possibility is that the circuit was turned on after the home was winterized, before the tank was full, which can burn out the heating elements. The thermostat settings could also be wrong. We recommended a licensed plumber evaluate and repair it.
Safety · Attic · Access
Attic stairs installed with deck screws
The pull-down attic stairs in the garage were attached with deck screws. The manufacturer’s only approved fastener is a 16-penny nail. Screws can snap under load, and a ladder that pulls loose while someone is on it can cause a serious fall.
Repair · Interior · Finish work
Incomplete finish work
Some finish work, like this window trim, was not complete at the time of inspection. Items like these belong on the builder’s punch list before closing, while the builder is still on the hook to finish them.
Repair · Exterior · Doors
Unfinished entry doors and trim
The front and rear entry doors and trim were not painted. Unpainted wood and trim absorb moisture and can start to deteriorate. Painting them is quick and cheap now, and much more expensive once rot sets in.
Maintenance · Interior · Doors
Sticking closet door knob
The master closet door knob stuck because it was installed too tightly. It’s a small repair, and a good example of the details a builder can fix in minutes if you catch them before closing.
What looked good
We also document the parts of the home that were in good shape, so the buyer knows what doesn’t need attention. The attic HVAC equipment and ductwork were installed and supported as expected.
What this meant for the buyer
Because the home was new, every item on this list was the builder’s responsibility to fix. With the report in hand, the buyer could:
- Give the builder one written, photo-documented list of repairs before closing.
- Ask for a licensed electrician to correct the panel wiring, the switches, the dead outlets and the GFCI.
- Have a plumber repair the water heater before move-in.
- Have the attic stairs refastened with the manufacturer’s approved nails.
Why new homes need inspections too
A new home is built by many different crews working on a schedule, and small mistakes slip through. Code inspections confirm minimum standards at set stages. A home inspection tests the house as you’ll actually live in it, and it’s far easier to get repairs made before closing than after.
Common questions about new construction inspections
Do I need a home inspection on new construction?
Yes. This Gastonia home had 13 repair items, including wiring mistakes and a water heater that didn’t work. The county’s code inspections don’t test every fixture, switch and outlet the way a home inspection does.
When should I schedule a new construction inspection?
Schedule it before your final walkthrough, so you can hand the builder the report and get repairs made before closing. Many buyers also schedule an 11-month inspection before the builder’s one-year warranty ends.
Does AHI inspect homes in Gastonia and Gaston County?
Yes. AHI serves Gastonia and every town in Gaston County, along with Charlotte and the surrounding area.
How long does it take to get my report?
Every AHI report is proofread and customized to the home, with photos like the ones above. Reports can take up to 72 hours, and if you attend the inspection, your inspector will give you an estimated delivery time.
Buying a new home in Gastonia?
AHI Residential and Commercial Inspections has been inspecting homes across Gaston County and the Charlotte area for more than 20 years, backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Or call 866-356-2363