Common Defects in New Homes: What to Look For & How to Identify

Knowing the most common defects in new Australian homes helps you identify them during your inspections. While most builders produce quality homes, defects do occur — and catching them early (at the frame stage or PCI) ensures they're rectified. This guide covers the most common defects, how to identify them and what to do.

Plaster Defects

Plaster defects are the most common defects in new homes:

• Dents and dings — visible indentations in the plaster surface
• Uneven surfaces — plaster that's not flat or smooth; visible along walls at an angle
• Visible joins — plaster sheet joins that are visible through the paint
• Screw pops — screw heads that have pushed through the plaster surface
• Cracking — hairline cracks (normal as the home settles); wider cracks (concerning)

Tile Defects

• Lipping — one tile edge is higher than the adjacent tile; should be less than 1mm for tiles under 300mm and less than 2mm for larger tiles
• Cracking — cracked tiles (should be replaced); hairline cracks in grout (normal)
• Grout issues — inconsistent grout colour, missing grout, crumbling grout
• Misalignment — tiles not aligned or level; visible at edges and corners
• Hollow tiles — tiles that sound hollow when tapped (may indicate poor adhesion)
• Waterproofing failures — water leaking through tiles in wet areas (serious)

Cabinetry Defects

• Door/drawer misalignment — cabinet doors or drawers not aligned with adjacent units
• Operation issues — doors or drawers that don't open/close smoothly
• Soft-close failure — soft-close mechanisms not working
• Damage — scratches, dents, chips on cabinet surfaces
• Wrong hardware — handles or hinges that don't match the specification
• Gaps — gaps between cabinets, between cabinets and walls, or between cabinets and benchtops

Paint Defects

• Uneven coverage — paint that's thin or patchy in areas
• Drips and runs — paint that has dripped or run down the surface
• Splashes — paint splashes on adjacent surfaces (skirtings, architraves, ceilings)
• Wrong colour — paint colour that doesn't match the specification
• Roller marks — visible roller texture on the painted surface
• Touch-up marks — visible touch-ups that don't match the surrounding paint

Door and Window Defects

• Misalignment — doors or windows not aligned in their frames
• Operation issues — doors or windows that don't open/close smoothly or lock properly
• Scratching — scratches on door or window surfaces
• Sealing gaps — gaps around doors or windows that let in draughts or water
• Wrong hardware — handles or locks that don't match the specification

Waterproofing Defects

Waterproofing defects in bathrooms, laundries and other wet areas can cause serious water damage. Signs of waterproofing issues:

• Water leaking through to rooms below or adjacent walls
• Dampness or mould in adjacent rooms or below wet areas
• Swelling or damage to skirtings or architraves near wet areas
• Water pooling under the shower base or bath

Structural Defects

Structural defects are less common but more serious:

• Slab cracking — cracks over 3mm wide, cracks with displacement, or pattern cracks
• Foundation movement — doors or windows that won't close (indicating movement)
• Frame issues — missing or inadequate bracing, out-of-plumb walls, incorrect stud spacing
• Roof issues — sagging, missing flashings, inadequate fixing
• Wall cracking — cracks in brickwork or render (wider than 2mm)

If you suspect a structural defect, hire a structural engineer to assess. Structural defects are covered by the structural warranty (6–7 years in most states).

Frequently Asked Questions