Your First Year in a New Construction Home

Expect small cracks and nail pops as the framing lumber dries and the house settles in, usually worst in the first year. They're cosmetic. Keep a running list, report anything involving water or structure right away, and schedule your end-of-year warranty walk before the one-year coverage ends.

How long does it take for a new construction home to settle?

Most of the movement happens in the first year, as the house goes through its first full cycle of seasons.

What people call settling is mostly the framing lumber drying out. A guide on drywall from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation explains that framing lumber shrinks as it dries, and that problems from this shrinkage are generally worse in the first year. Some cracks open in winter, when the air is dry, and close again in summer.

What's normal in year one

• Nail and screw pops in drywall, as studs shrink away from the board
• Hairline cracks at drywall corners, especially where ceilings meet walls
• Small gaps in trim and caulk joints
• Minor squeaks in floors or stairs
• Doors that stick a little as the house adjusts to humidity

These are cosmetic and common. Many builders handle drywall and caulk touch-ups once, near the end of the first year, after the movement settles.

Do nail pops mean foundation problems?

Almost never on their own. Scattered nail pops come from wood drying, not the foundation.

Report these right away instead of waiting:

• Any leak, stain or water where it shouldn't be
• Cracks that keep widening or run diagonally from door and window corners
• Doors or windows that suddenly won't close
• Floors that noticeably slope
• Electrical, plumbing or HVAC problems

The FTC notes that builder warranties generally cover major structural defects that make a home unsafe, but often exclude small cracks in drywall, tile or concrete.

The end-of-year warranty walk

Most builder warranties cover workmanship and materials on many items for about a year, according to the FTC. Before that year ends:

1. Walk the whole house with your running list.
2. Add photos and dates.
3. Submit the list in writing, following the warranty's instructions.
4. Keep copies of everything.

Mark the date on your calendar the week you move in. It's easy to miss.

Year-one habits that help

• Check HVAC filters monthly. ENERGY STAR suggests about once a month.
• Keep gutters clear and downspouts pointed away from the house.
• Keep mulch and soil from piling up against the foundation.
• Run bathroom fans during and after showers.

Who's writing this. I sell new homes for D.R. Horton at Collins Ridge in Hillsborough, so I represent the builder, not you. This guide is general education from my years on job sites and in sales. It isn't legal, tax or lending advice, and it doesn't describe any specific home, price or incentive. Check the sources linked below, and talk with your own lender, agent or attorney before you decide.