There’s a myth that newly constructed homes are free of defects. When multiple teams perform their jobs on the site during construction work, human error can occur. Minor negligence by a worker can lead to problems in the future.

Meanwhile, the builders offer a one-year warranty on a new home to ensure the quality of work. Right before the warranty period ends, homeowners conduct an 11-month home inspection to know about the hidden problems in their homes that the builder can fix without any charges.

What is an 11-Month Home Warranty Inspection?

It is a detailed inspection of a home before the builder’s one-year warranty expires. This inspection is conducted to discover defects in workmanship, materials, or any errors in the installed systems.

Why is an 11-Month Inspection Important?

Once the builder’s warranty expires, the homeowner has to pay for all those defects. So, an 11-month home warranty inspection is really important for homeowners. Secondly, this inspection can detect the evolving problems in the home.

The home may look flawless, but hidden issues can be beneath the shiny surfaces. Those issues can emerge even within a year. These issues can be with any component of the building, like:

Structure
HVAC System
Plumbing System
Electrical System
Grading and Drainage System

What is the Best Time to Schedule an 11-Month Home Inspection?

You must be wondering why this inspection can’t be conducted after six months or at any other time after constructing a new home. There are some reasons for scheduling it in the 11th month, such as:

Enough Time for Issues to Develop

It is better to let the issues develop in a home. Some issues, like minor leaks, take a longer time to appear. Moreover, it is better to wait to know the effects of the weather until problems are revealed. The problems can be related to:

Expansion and contraction of materials
Performance of the HVAC system in extreme temperatures
Drainage and moisture problems

Time Left for Claim

New homeowners should not wait until the 12th month to let the problems reveal themselves more clearly. They need some time to inspect, formulate the report, and claim the repairs. The homeowners may have to coordinate with the builders regarding repair timelines; that’s why it is better to get the warranty inspection done in the 11th month.

What if You Miss the 11-Month Inspection?

Life may get busier than we think; it is often possible that homeowners miss their 11-month home warranty inspection. In such a scenario, it is better to reach out to the inspection company and inform them about the remaining days until you can claim the warranty. They will suggest the best possible timeline for you accordingly.

What is Included in an 11-Month Home Warranty Inspection?

An 11-month warranty inspection is a complete assessment of your new home in which an inspector checks:

Roof and Attic: to check leaks, ventilation, flashing, and insulation quality

Foundation and Structure: to check cracks, shifting, and water damage

Plumbing System: to check water pressure, leaks, drainage, and fixture issues

HVAC System: to assess airflow, performance, and accuracy of the thermostat

Interior Area: to check walls, ceiling, doors, windows, and floors

Exterior: to check siding, grading, decks, garage, and pathway

What are the Common Defects Found in an 11-Month Warranty Inspection?

There can be any defect found at the initial stage or evolve into a big problem in the future during this inspection. Some common defects our inspectors have found are the following:

Drywall cracks due to settling
Insulation issues in the attic
Minor roof leaks
Inconsistent temperatures or HVAC inefficiencies
Water is pooling due to poor grading
Misaligned doors and windows
Issues with electric outlets

These are all just common issues; there can be any issue in a new home, depending on the negligence of the workers.

What Should a Homeowner Do After This Inspection?

After receiving the inspection report, the homeowner should not waste a single day and reach out to the builder by following these steps:

They should review the report thoroughly
Highlight the issues eligible for a warranty claim
Send a written request to the builder to repair the issues
Follow up to confirm the timeline for repairs

Sum Up

New homes are one of the biggest and most important investments. A homeowner should try their best to keep the home in good shape. For such a purpose, it is essential to nip the issues in the bud from the very beginning.

No home is constructed perfectly due to human errors. So, all those homeowners who are eager to make their place perfect get an 11-month home warranty inspection and have the repairs done without paying extra charges to their builders.

If you have also moved into a new home, it is time to schedule your 11-month warranty inspection before you get busy with the hectic schedules of daily life. You are responsible for claiming the repairs and keeping your home in the best condition.

When is the Best Time to Schedule Your 11-Month Inspection?