Do This ONE Thing When Buying New Construction: Ask for the House Wrap Install Day
Howdy,
Today we were in Richmond, Texas performing a Phase 2 pre-drywall inspection on a new construction home. This Field Notes post ties directly to the video linked below, but the message is simple enough that every new construction buyer needs to hear it.
If you do just ONE thing when buying a new construction home — this should be it.
The ONE thing buyers should ask their builder
Tell your builder this:
“I want to know the exact day the house wrap (moisture barrier) is installed.”
Even if you can’t be there, asking this question creates accountability. And accountability matters — because house wrap is one of the most important systems on the entire home, and also one of the most commonly misinstalled.
Most homes aren’t really “brick homes”
Brick is an exterior finish — not a waterproof system.
Water is expected to get behind brick. When it does, it’s supposed to:
- Hit the house wrap / weather-resistive barrier (WRB)
- Drain downward
- Exit the wall assembly safely
If the wrap is torn, poorly lapped, over-fastened, or patched incorrectly, that water doesn’t just disappear — it becomes latent moisture, trapped behind insulation, drywall, and finishes.
This is how hidden moisture problems and mold issues are born — quietly, and years later.
Why Phase 2 (Pre-Drywall) matters so much
A Phase 2 inspection is often the best and sometimes last real opportunity to evaluate:
- House wrap / WRB installation quality
- Window and door flashing details
- Penetrations and transitions
- Fasteners that tear or compromise the wrap
- Repairs before insulation and drywall hide everything
Real-world truth: Phase 1 pre-pour inspections aren’t always possible due to fast build schedules. If you can only do one phase inspection — Phase 2 pre-drywall is the one to prioritize.
Why this deserves its own inspection phase
If I’m being honest, house wrap installation almost deserves its own inspection phase.
I’ve inspected hundreds of new construction homes. I have yet to see a home where the wrap was installed perfectly if I only showed up after it was done. Builders do better work when they believe someone is watching — even if that someone is just asking the right questions.
You don’t need to be there. The builder just needs to believe someone might be.
Bottom line
If you’re building in Richmond, Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, or surrounding areas, and you want a qualified, documented Phase 2 pre-drywall inspection, Imperial Pro Inspection LLC is here to help.
We focus on catching issues early — before drywall hides them and before small mistakes turn into long-term problems.
Building a new construction home?
If you want an inspection that applies the right pressure at the right time — especially during Phase 2 — we’re ready to help.
Schedule a Phase Inspection
Howdy [ˈhaʊ-di] — Southeast Texas greeting.
Used once when formal, twice when friendly. Slower delivery means warmer intent.