Cracks in a home that is only a few years old
When cracking is normal settling, and when it needs a proper investigation.
In short: Fine cracks in new plaster are common. Cracks that widen, reopen or come with sticking doors are a different matter.
What is expected
New homes shrink and settle a little in their first years, and fine plaster cracking at joints and cornices often follows.
What is not
Cracks wider than a few millimetres, cracks that reappear after patching, diagonal cracks from window and door corners and doors that start binding.
An example
On a March 2026 investigation in South Kingsville, wide internal cracking, cracked floor tiles and doors that would not close pointed to movement rather than shrinkage.
Finding the cause
We measure the cracks, record their pattern and look at drainage, planting and plumbing leaks around the footings, because uneven moisture in clay is the usual driver.
What happens next
The report names the likely cause and whether an engineer is needed. Under warranty, it gives you something concrete to put to the builder.
Written by our local inspection team from work carried out in Manor Lakes. Licensed building practitioners, Building & Plumbing Commission registration CDB-U 53425.
