Missing Attic Insulation in New Construction: A Common Problem in Las Vegas Homes

As a home inspector in Las Vegas, I’ve seen many construction issues in both older homes and brand-new builds. One of the most common problems I find in new construction homes is missing or poorly installed attic insulation.

You might assume that a brand-new home would be flawless, but that’s not always the case. During a recent inspection of a newly built house, I found several areas in the attic where insulation was missing entirely. Unfortunately, this issue comes up more often than you’d think—and it can have a real impact on your comfort and energy bills.

In this article, I’ll explain why attic insulation matters, how missing insulation can affect your home, and what you can do to catch problems early—especially if you’re buying or building a new home in the Las Vegas area.

Improperly insulated attics are common, even in new construction

Why Attic Insulation Matters in Las Vegas

Las Vegas summers are extremely hot, and attic temperatures can reach well over 130 degrees. Insulation acts as a barrier that helps keep this heat from entering your living space. Without proper insulation in the attic, your home can heat up quickly, making it harder to cool and more expensive to operate your air conditioning system.

Missing or poorly installed attic insulation can lead to uneven temperatures in your home, higher monthly energy bills, and more wear and tear on your HVAC system. It can also make your living space less comfortable overall.

A Real Example From a New Construction Home Inspection

During a recent inspection of a newly built home in Las Vegas, I entered the attic and found multiple large sections with no insulation. These gaps were located around the edges of the attic and near corners, which are common trouble spots. From inside the home, there were no obvious signs that something was wrong—but the attic told a different story.

Without insulation in those areas, the home was at risk for significant energy loss. The air conditioning system would need to work harder to keep the home cool, especially during the summer months. This could lead to higher utility costs for the homeowner and a shorter lifespan for the HVAC system.

Why Insulation Problems Happen in New Homes

You might be wondering why a brand-new home would have missing insulation. There are several reasons this happens.

In some cases, insulation is installed before other trades, like electricians or HVAC technicians, finish their work. During the process, insulation can be moved, compressed, or even removed to make room for other installations—and it’s not always put back. Sometimes insulation is simply skipped or not installed properly due to rushed construction schedules or oversight during quality checks.

Builders may assume insulation meets code without physically checking every area, especially if insulation is blown in and difficult to measure by sight alone.

How Homeowners Can Protect Themselves

If you’re in the process of buying a new construction home in Las Vegas, there are steps you can take to avoid insulation issues and other hidden problems.

1) Get a third-party home inspection. Even if your home is brand new, a licensed home inspector can catch problems that might have been overlooked during construction. This includes checking the attic, insulation levels, ductwork, and overall workmanship. Our company meets or exceeds the insurance requirements for all builders in Clark County.

2) Ask about attic insulation standards. Make sure your new home meets current energy code requirements. In Las Vegas, homes typically need attic insulation with an R-value of R-38 or higher, based on the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

3) Schedule an inspection before your final walkthrough. It’s easier to have the builder correct any issues before you close on the home than after you’ve moved in.

4) Consider a thermal imaging scan. We offer thermal imaging to identify insulation gaps or hot spots that can’t be seen with the naked eye.

Found while inspecting a new construction home in Las Vegas

Conclusion

Missing attic insulation is one of the most common and easily overlooked problems in new construction homes in Las Vegas. While the home may look perfect at first glance, insulation issues can lead to long-term discomfort, high energy bills, and avoidable HVAC problems.

Having a detailed home inspection before closing gives you peace of mind and helps you catch problems while they’re still easy to fix. If you’re buying or building a new home in Las Vegas, make sure attic insulation is on your checklist.

Need a trusted home inspector in Las Vegas?
We specialize in new construction. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and make sure your new home is built right from the start.