11-Month Warranty Inspection: Is It Really Necessary?
Hello and welcome back to my blog! Today, I want to talk about a topic that is important for many homeowners: the inspection before the builder’s warranty expires. This warranty, which is usually valid for one year after the completion of a new build, is the perfect opportunity to ensure that everything in your home is working as it should.
Why is an inspection before the warranty expires worthwhile? Imagine you buy a brand-new car. During the first few months, you might notice some defects that you can still have repaired for free under warranty. It’s similar with a new house. The 11-month inspection gives you the chance to discover issues before the warranty ends, and the cost of repairs falls on you.
As an home inspector, it’s my job to thoroughly examine your home – from the roof to the electrical systems down to the foundation. In a new house, there are often “teething problems” that only become visible after some time. Leaks, settling materials, or faulty electrical installations are typical examples. Most builders offer a warranty for such issues during the first 12 months – take advantage of this opportunity.
A real-life example: Recently, I conducted an inspection in Havelock, NC. The homeowner had noticed some small cracks in the foundation but wasn’t sure if they were problematic. During the inspection, I determined that they were typical settling cracks that posed no immediate danger, but I also discovered a leak in the roof that the homeowner hadn’t noticed yet. Thanks to the 11-Month Warranty Inspection, the builder was able to make the necessary repairs within the warranty period, avoiding significant future costs.
An inspection before the warranty expires (aka “11-Month Warranty Inspection”) is important because there are often issues that aren’t visible to the untrained eye. With modern technology like thermal imaging or drones for roof inspections, we can also detect hidden problems that would only become noticeable later – when it’s already expensive.
My goal is to give you the confidence that your home is in good condition. If I find any issues during the inspection, you will receive a detailed report that you can pass on directly to your builder to have repairs carried out within the warranty period.
In future posts, I’ll dive deeper into the details of various inspections and explain what homeowners should look out for. If you have questions or want me to cover a specific topic, feel free to let me know. For more information on the 11-Month Warranty Inspection, visit our dedicated page.
See you soon!