Answers

The market is coming back and strong in many markets.... Gor GC's Ensuring the Quailty of the Sub contractors labor are challanging do to the turn over and the level of quality expected. Owners should ensure the scope of work is set to protect the project Gavigan Construction  ensures the quality through supervision and proper agreements

Do not lower your Standards , ever 

I'd expect that you have a warranty longer than just 30 days. Probably at least 1 year, right? I'll base my answer on that premise.

In the first 30 days, you should look for things that are incomplete or not installed to the Standards Manual referenced in your contract. (My contract references the Residential Construction Quality Standards of the Wisconsin Builders Association.) If there were things promised in written or verbal contracts, change orders, etc that are not done.

Over the course of a full year, the lumber will fully dry out and the house will have gone through its seasonal shrinkage and expansion due to humidity & temperature changes. You should expect your contractor to repair screw pops and drywall seams one time in your warranty period. If you notice areas of trim that weren't puttied, expect them to touch it up then.

Any other things you can think of that you have questions about?

After 30 days most likely areas that might have issues are any fixtures or appliances- mostly they have an issue right away or are good for many years! Also, check under your sinks to make sure that the use of the sinks and faucets hasn't allowed any of the fittings to come loose. We use brass fittings and traps, but many contractors have moved to plastic which can become loose with initial use. Another thing we find occasionally is that 3/4/5 way switches might not have been wired properly, which sometimes only becomes apparent when someone starts living in the home. If you have a home control system, that can be something that might need to be tweaked or adjusted for your use. Using everything, making sure that everything works, those things are key in the first 30 days- Good luck!

If it's paint grade, filling and sanding shouldn't be to hard to do. If it's a stain grade, it should be replaced. repairs on stainable wood always seems to stand out.

I assume by "cave" you might been "cove" or some other trim or millwork. It isn't a hard thing to fill any scratches, resand, and touch up an area like that, and that's something your builder should have no problem doing for you. Good luck!

Personally, during harsh winters we have a hard time motivating our construction crew to clean up as much as possible. It's really hard when it's negative degrees outside to maintain the perfect construction site.

If it bugs you have the contractor fix. If you do not your eye will go to that spot everytime.