New Construction Phase Inspections Austin Point TX | Pre-Pour · Pre-Drywall · Final · Warranty | Imperial Pro
Austin Point new neighborhood aerial Richmond TX
🏗️ ICC Code Certified  ·  Phase 1 – 4  ·  Austin Point

Austin Point
Moves Fast.

We Slow It Down.

ICC-certified phase inspections from pre-pour foundation through builder warranty — protecting your investment at every stage of new construction in Austin Point, Richmond, and Fort Bend County.

★★★★★  5.0 Google Rating  ·  150+ Verified Reviews  ·  4,000+ Inspections Completed

Watch — why new construction needs an independent eye

Because the best builder isn't here on earth.

Rule Your Home.™

★★★★★5.0 · 150+ Google Reviews
ICC
Code Certified Inspector
#10111729
4
Phase Inspections
Pre-Pour through Warranty
🇺🇸Veteran-Owned
TREC #23450
24h
Report Delivery
or Less
The Reality of New Construction · Austin Point

Every home is built by human hands.
Human hands make mistakes.

Austin Point is Fort Bend County's fastest-growing master-planned community — thousands of homes under construction simultaneously, multiple builders, hundreds of subcontractors, compressed timelines. Builders don't build homes. Their subcontractors do.

Municipal inspectors check for minimum code compliance, not craftsmanship. They pass a home the moment it meets the legal floor — not the standard your investment deserves.

An independent phase inspection is the only set of eyes working exclusively in your interest — at every critical stage before defects get covered up, poured over, or signed away at closing.

Ask who built your home and you'll get a builder's name. Ask who actually built it and the answer is: dozens of subcontractors, working fast, on a schedule that isn't yours.

— Imperial Pro Inspection · Austin Point · Richmond, TX
Every
Austin Point home we inspect has defects
Caught before closing — corrected at builder's expense
$0
Builder repair cost when caught pre-close
After closing it becomes your problem and your bill
11mo
Builder warranty window — your last shot
Most Austin Point homeowners miss it entirely
ICC
Code certification — we speak the builder's language
Most Fort Bend County inspectors are not ICC certified
The Complete Phase Process · Austin Point TX

Four phases. One uncompromising standard.

From foundation planning to the final day of your builder warranty — Imperial Pro is with you at every stage that matters.

Phase 1

Pre-Pour Foundation Inspection

Before concrete is poured

The most critical phase and the most overlooked. Before a single yard of concrete touches the slab, we inspect form boards, rebar, plumbing stub-outs, and site drainage. A defect here doesn't get corrected — it gets buried permanently.

  • Form board placement & elevation
  • Rebar & post-tension layout
  • Plumbing stub-out verification
  • Site drainage & grade review
  • Foundation elevation baseline
Phase 2

Pre-Drywall Framing Inspection

Before drywall is installed

Framing, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC are all exposed — then drywall covers everything. Your last opportunity to verify the structure, wiring, and mechanicals are correct before they're hidden for decades.

  • Structural framing & connections
  • Electrical rough-in verification
  • Plumbing supply & drain lines
  • HVAC ductwork & equipment
  • Insulation & house wrap
Phase 3

Final New Construction Inspection

Before your closing walkthrough

A complete TREC inspection before you close — not during the builder's walkthrough where your attention is split. A professional report in hand before you sign means the builder still has to fix it.

  • Full TREC home inspection
  • Foundation elevation survey
  • Infrared thermal imaging scan
  • Moisture intrusion testing
  • Sprinkler system operation
  • Blue tape cosmetic guidance
Phase 4

Builder Warranty Inspection

Before your 1-year warranty expires

At the 11-month mark your warranty is still active — but almost over. Foundation movement, system defects, and workmanship failures can still be claimed. Most Austin Point homeowners miss this window entirely.

  • Full TREC re-inspection
  • Foundation elevation comparison
  • Settlement & drainage review
  • All systems & components
  • Warranty claim documentation

Each phase is scheduled and priced independently. Austin Point construction timelines shift constantly. Book each phase when it's ready. You pay only for work performed. Phase inspections are priced below our resale home inspections because protecting your home at every stage shouldn't require a premium.

ZIPLEVEL foundation elevation survey drawing — Austin Point Richmond TX
ZIPLEVEL® Precision Elevation Survey  ·  Included at Every Phase · Austin Point TX
The Imperial Pro Difference · Fort Bend County

We don't just walk the slab —
we measure it.

Fort Bend County's expansive clay soils are the primary driver of foundation movement across Greater Houston. Austin Point sits directly on this geology — those soils expand when wet and contract when dry, placing continuous stress on your slab from the day it's poured.

You cannot determine how a foundation is performing by looking at it. You have to measure it. ZIPLEVEL® equipment takes precision readings at dozens of points across your entire slab, creating a documented performance record at every phase.

Most inspection companies in Richmond and Rosenberg skip this survey entirely. We include it at every phase at no extra charge — because a slab you can't measure is a slab you can't defend in a warranty claim.

Included at every phase. At no extra charge.
Competitors skip this entirely.
Book My Phase Inspection →
ICC

ICC certification means we speak the builder's language.

The International Code Council Building Code Inspector certification is the industry's highest standard for construction code knowledge. We don't just know what's wrong — we know exactly which code section applies, how to document it, and how to get it corrected at the builder's expense. Most home inspectors are not ICC certified. Most builders are. When you hire an inspector without code certification for a phase inspection, you're sending someone to a conversation they're not qualified to have.

Phase 1 of 4 · Austin Point TX

Before a single yard of concrete is poured —
we're already there.

Pre-Pour Foundation Inspection · The most critical phase. The most overlooked. And the only one with a window that closes the moment the concrete truck pulls up.

Phase 1 is the only inspection that happens before anything is hidden. Once that concrete is poured, what's underneath is there forever — the rebar, plumbing stub-outs, form board placement, vapor barrier. All of it inaccessible for the life of the home.

Municipal inspectors may check the forms — but they're verifying minimum code on a packed schedule, not working for you. We arrive before the pour and we stay until we're satisfied. If something isn't right, you have documented leverage to get it corrected before the concrete truck ever pulls up.

In Fort Bend County's expansive clay soil environment, the pre-pour phase is where your foundation's long-term performance is established. Problems caught here are fixed at builder's expense. Problems missed here get poured over and become yours.

Form Board PlacementAlignment, elevation, squareness, dimensions vs. plans — the forms define the shape of your slab before any concrete is mixed.Permanent after pour
Rebar & Post-Tension LayoutSpacing, coverage, lap splices, cable anchorage — rebar carries the tension load and none of it is visible after the pour.Permanent after pour
Plumbing Stub-OutsEvery drain and supply line under your slab is set before the pour. A misaligned stub means tearing up concrete — or living with it forever.Permanent after pour
Site Drainage & GradeFort Bend County's clay soils are especially sensitive to moisture. Drainage that directs water toward the foundation creates the conditions for movement from day one.Critical in clay soil
Vapor BarrierPresence, continuity, seam overlap, punctures, and perimeter termination — the slab's first defense against ground moisture infiltration.Permanent after pour
Foundation Elevation BaselineZIPLEVEL® pre-pour grade readings establish your original elevation — invaluable if movement is questioned years later in a warranty claim.Included free · Every phase
When to Schedule Phase 1

24–48 hours before your concrete pour date. Ask your builder's site supervisor when they plan to pour. Then book immediately. The window is short and doesn't wait. Once concrete is poured, Phase 1 cannot be performed.

Phase 1 — Foundation Out of Level

Foundation 2 Inches Out of Level — Brand New Home

A new home. A slab that shouldn't have passed. This is why elevation surveys aren't optional — they're essential.

Phase 1 — Caught Before the Pour

What We Found in a Brand New Home

Move-in ready doesn't mean defect-free. Real defects caught in new Fort Bend County homes before closing — documented before the builder could call them move-in wear.

Phase 2 of 4 · Austin Point TX

Once drywall goes up, what's behind it
stays there forever.

Pre-Drywall Framing Inspection · Five major systems — all exposed, all correctable. Then drywall goes up and none of it is visible again for the life of the home.

Phase 2 — Inside the Walls

What We Find Behind the Walls

Framing errors, crushed ducts, missing blocking, and code violations that would live in your walls for decades — all caught while still correctable.

When to Schedule Phase 2

After framing is complete and all mechanical rough-ins are installed — but before drywall begins. Ask your superintendent when drywall is scheduled. Book 3–5 days before that date. Don't wait until the last minute — framers and mechanical crews move fast.

Phase 2 is the last time any of it is visible. Framing, wiring, plumbing, ductwork, insulation, house wrap — all sealed behind drywall within days. Once those panels go up, what's behind them stays there for the life of the home.

Municipal inspectors confirm the legal minimum was met. We confirm it was built correctly. Those are two different standards — and the difference is everything that will be hidden the moment drywall is installed.

🪵 Structural FramingNotched joists, missing blocking, improper connections — structural defects sealed behind drywall become permanent.Invisible after drywall
⚡ Electrical Rough-InWrong wire gauges, missing staples, improper box fills — electrical errors are a fire risk that will live in your walls for decades.Fire risk if missed
🔧 Plumbing Rough-InSlope, support, and joint quality — a slow leak inside a wall can cause damage for years before it surfaces.Access gone after drywall
🌬️ HVAC DuctworkCrushed ducts, disconnected runs, poor mastic sealing — silently reduces performance and air quality for the life of the home.Performance lost forever
🧱 Insulation PlacementGaps, voids, compression, reversed vapor barriers — invisible energy loss you'll pay for every month.No access after drywall
🏠 House Wrap & WRBLapping direction, seam tape, window and door flashing — one of the most skipped inspection points in Austin Point new construction.Ask for the install day
Phase 3 of 4 · Austin Point TX

Before you sign. Your last leverage
with your Austin Point builder.

Final New Construction Inspection · Performed before your closing walkthrough — so you walk in with a professional report, not just a punch list of things you noticed yourself.

The Phase 3 Final Inspection is performed when your Austin Point home is substantially complete — utilities active, appliances installed, all systems operable — and before you attend your builder's closing walkthrough.

The builder's walkthrough is designed to manage your excitement and get you to sign. A professional inspection report in your hands before that meeting changes the dynamic entirely. You arrive with documentation. The builder knows it.

Report delivered within 24 hours. You'll have it in hand before your final walkthrough so there's time for the builder to act — not after the keys are already yours.

Full TREC Inspection
Every system, component & safety item
Foundation Elevation Survey
ZIPLEVEL® with full CAD drawing
Infrared Thermal Imaging
Detects moisture, insulation gaps & air leaks
Moisture Intrusion Testing
Professional-grade meters throughout
Sprinkler System Operation
All zones verified for coverage & leaks
Blue Tape Guidance
Cosmetic defect documentation for builder
24-Hour Report — Builder-Ready Format
Photo-rich, professionally formatted with repair request builder for direct builder communication
When to Schedule Phase 3

2–5 days before your builder's final walkthrough. You need time to receive the report and act on it. Scheduling it the day before your walkthrough leaves no time for the builder to respond to findings.

Phase 3 — Final Walkthrough

New Construction Moves Fast. We Slow It Down.

Why an independent eye matters at every stage — including the final inspection before closing. Builders have a team working for them. You should too.

Phase 3 — What We Find at Final

Foundation 2 Inches Out of Level — A New Home

This is what a Phase 3 elevation survey catches. A brand-new home with a slab measurement that shouldn't have passed. Documented before closing — corrected at builder's expense.

Phase 4 of 4 · Austin Point TX

Your warranty expires whether you use it or not.

11th Month Builder Warranty Inspection · Month 11 is your last shot. The coverage is real and enforceable — but it expires on a date, and most builders won't remind you it's coming.

Month 0
Closing Day
Warranty clock starts. Most homeowners don't know it.
Month 3
Settlement Begins
Nail pops, minor cracks, sticking doors. Easy to dismiss as normal.
Month 6
Systems Under Full Load
HVAC, plumbing, and roofing have now experienced a full seasonal cycle.
Month 11 — Schedule Now
11th Month Inspection
Last window. We document everything still covered under your builder warranty. Builder fixes it.
⚠ Month 12
Warranty Expires
Everything that was the builder's problem is now yours.
Also: 10-Year Structural Warranty

Most new construction homes carry a separate 10-year structural warranty covering the foundation, load-bearing walls, and primary framing. If you're within that window and noticing signs of structural movement — sticking doors, diagonal cracks, sloping floors — contact us for a structural warranty inspection.

Your builder's 1-year warranty covers workmanship defects, system failures, and construction errors that emerge in the first year. The coverage is real and enforceable — but it expires on a date, and most builders won't remind you it's coming.

Foundation movement in Fort Bend County's expansive clay soils, roofing defects, HVAC issues, window and door failures, moisture intrusion — these are exactly the issues that tend to appear in the first year as the home settles and systems are put under real load. Catching them at month 11 means the builder fixes them. Catching them at month 13 means you do.

We conduct a complete TREC inspection, foundation elevation comparison vs. your Phase 1/3 baseline, and full systems review. You get a formatted report ready to hand directly to your builder for warranty claim submission.

  • Full TREC home inspection — all systems & components
  • Foundation elevation comparison vs. Phase 1 & 3 baseline
  • Settlement, drainage & grading assessment
  • Roofing, windows & exterior envelope
  • Warranty claim documentation formatted for builder submission
  • Report delivered within 24 hours
Phase 4 — Why It Matters

What We Still Find at Month 11

A year of Fort Bend County summers, clay soil movement, and HVAC cycling reveals what wasn't visible at closing. This is your last chance for the builder to pay for it.

Schedule My Warranty Inspection →
Common Questions

New construction answered.

Everything you should know before breaking ground, before closing, and before your warranty expires.

Book Online →

A phase inspection is an independent inspection performed at a critical construction milestone — before that stage is covered up permanently. Imperial Pro performs four phases: Phase 1 Pre-Pour before foundation concrete is poured, Phase 2 Pre-Drywall when framing and mechanical rough-ins are fully exposed, Phase 3 Final before your closing, and Phase 4 Warranty at 11 months. Foundation elevation survey included at every phase at no extra charge.

Each phase is booked independently — and that's intentional. Construction timelines shift, delays happen, and work that hasn't been completed yet can't be inspected. Rather than locking you into a package for phases months away, we schedule each phase when it's ready. You pay only for work performed.

Municipal inspectors verify minimum code compliance — they're checking that the home is legally habitable, not that it's built to a high standard. Their inspection is brief, high-level, and not in your interest. Our inspections are thorough, documented, and designed to give you the information needed to hold your Austin Point builder accountable before you sign anything.

Yes. ZIPLEVEL® precision elevation readings are taken at every phase inspection at no extra charge. Fort Bend County's expansive clay soil environment makes documented baseline measurements essential — having a Phase 1 record and a comparison at every subsequent phase is the only defensible way to track foundation performance and support warranty claims.

In Texas, you have the right to hire an independent inspector at any stage of new construction. Most builders cooperate fully — they want their subcontractors to do correct work and phase inspections are relatively standard in Fort Bend County. Occasionally a builder restricts site access. If that happens, document it. A builder who won't allow a licensed inspector before the pour is telling you something important.

Performed at the 11-month mark while your 1-year builder warranty is still active and fully enforceable. Foundation movement, roofing defects, system failures, and moisture intrusion that have emerged since closing can all still be claimed. Catching them at month 11 means the builder fixes them. Catching them at month 13 means you pay out of pocket. Most Austin Point homeowners miss this window entirely.

Imperial Pro is ICC-certified Building Code Inspector #10111729 — most inspectors in Fort Bend County are not. ICC certification means we document defects with the specific code section that applies, giving you real leverage with the builder. We include a foundation elevation survey at every phase at no extra charge. We are TREC licensed (#23450) and veteran-owned with 4,000+ inspections completed and a 5.0★ rating from 150+ verified Google reviews. We have found defects in every new construction home we have ever inspected.

Austin Point · Richmond · Fort Bend County

The builder has a team.
Now you do too.

ICC-certified phase inspections from pre-pour foundation through builder warranty. Foundation elevation survey at every phase. Report within 24 hours.

TREC #23450
ICC #10111729
★★★★★ 5.0 · 150+ Reviews
🇺🇸 Veteran-Owned