One of the most important things you should do is hire an INDEPENDENT home inspector. One that is not affiliated with your realtor or the builder. You'll have to pay out of pocket -- think of it as insurance. You're the only one in this transaction that's going to be looking out for YOU.

Cracked brick, rusty pipes.... on a new home. I don't think so.

Yea, I'm not even sure I want to go far enough for them to complete and let my inspector through. I can see with my own eyes that they aren't interested in giving me a quality build. I just wanted to double check with some other people whether or not I am being unreasonable. It is my first house, after all.

around here, it's the norm to just paint the rusted, pipe

If the pipe above ground is rusted, what does the pipe underground and in the walls looks like?

Do I just go to Home Depot in 5 years, and look on isle 9 for a pipe that fits? I am not sure how one would go about replacing it once natural gas started escaping through down the road. Are these pipes standard sizes and easy to find?

You won't have to get it replaced for 50+ years (give or take).

This isn't something to worry about.

Is there a reason it's sticking that far out of the wall?

I am confused as where that rusty looking portion of pipe is where the gas meter normally would go. I think it may be just a temporary fitting until the gas company actually installs a meter. You can tell if this is what it is by looking to see if there is a meter or not.

It is the blackpipe and it is rusted, no big deal. Needs a paint. Now the bonding clamp should be grounded.

Having lived in 2 homes aged 100+ rust on a gas pipe was not unheard of and had no issues.

Ok. Thanks guys. I'll take it off my complaints list.

Go look at any black iron pipe supplying NG to any house. They are always rusted. At least here in Central NY.

It appears that the heavily rusted tee and nipple are just installed for the pressure test. I would assume after the test it will be properly bonded, pushed into the wall and secured. The yellow pipe showing appears to maybe flexible NG piping. But black iron rust and it happens quickly.

Stand down. The pipe isn't a big deal. They all rust and quickly. Make sure they foam the pipe entry hole in the brick. It's more of a bug issue, but it is an energy thing, too. If it doesn't get done, it's a $5.00 can of foam at the HD and you can do it yourself.