Do New Construction Homes Need a Foundation Elevation Survey?

Howdy,

Short answer — yes. New construction needs a foundation elevation survey at the final stage, and ideally during the build. Even if everything looks fine today, you need a baseline so you can monitor change tomorrow.

New construction foundation inspections: why elevation surveys matter

Most buyers assume a new slab is perfectly level. In our clay soils, that’s not a safe bet. An elevation survey measures the slab — it doesn’t guess. It’s the only way to document levelness now and compare it later.

What our elevation survey found (≈2 inches out of level)

• Left side read about 2 inches higher than the middle — out of tolerance for a new slab.
• This would’ve been missed by a simple “walk the slab.” Feet can’t see what the instrument sees.
• Catching it now prevents expensive fixes after move-in.

When to measure on a new build (Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Richmond)

• Phase 1 — Pre-Pour Foundation Inspection: verify formwork, beams, steel, and site prep.
• Phase 2 — Pre-Drywall: check framing alignment and load paths that tie back to the slab.
• Phase 3 — Final: perform the foundation elevation survey and document levelness.
• Builder warranty (11th-month): re-measure to confirm movement or stability before the warranty clock runs out.

Baseline now, monitor later: how homeowners use the data

• Proof for warranty: Compare re-surveys to your baseline — not to memory.
• Moisture management: Use data to guide root barriers, watering systems, gutters, and drainage.
• Resale leverage: A clean trendline builds confidence for the next buyer.

My recommendation

If you’re buying new construction, don’t hire a home inspector who skips the foundation elevation survey. You need someone competent with professional-grade equipment who delivers a real, documented survey—not a walk and a guess. Get the elevation survey at the final inspection, again at the 11-month builder warranty, and then every year until the 10-year structural warranty expires—treat it like servicing your HVAC. Re-survey any time you see cracks, sticky doors, drainage changes, or new tree growth near the slab. Problems can develop fast and stay invisible until they’re expensive. Measure first. Decide with data.