11 Month Warranty Inspection [Don't Make This Mistake]
What Is An 11 Month Warranty?
As experts in the home inspection field, we are going to dive into educating you on what an 11 month warranty is and why you need one. Don’t make the huge mistake of skipping this step. Let’s break it all down.
Many home builders offer a one year warranty on every new home that is built. If you purchased a new construction home within the last year, you most likely have some kind of warranty period. This is usually referred to as the 11 month warranty. If you aren’t sure of your warranty period and the qualifications, look for a folder, binder, or documentation you would have received with the sale of your home. If you still aren’t sure, reach out to your builder or real estate agent for more information.
An 11 month warranty covers defects and any issues that arise during the first year of homeownership. These issues are paid for by the builder as a guarantee of their work, so the good news is it’s not coming out of your pocket!
Some issues that may be covered by an 11 month warranty are the following:
Missing or defective caulk around trim, showers, tubs, and countertops
Abnormally large foundation cracks
Inoperable interior and exterior doors, windows, and garage door
Drywall touch-ups, such as repairing cracks, nail pops, and blistered joint tape
Items that do not function as intended within major home systems will be repaired or replaced
Electric fireplaces that do not function as intended
Any leaks from plumbing fixtures, pipes, and the roof
For an accurate and complete list of items covered by your home warranty, please check with your specific builder. There are general guidelines for most warranties, but every builder is different as to what they will cover.
Damage caused by homeowner negligence, normal wear and tear, and cosmetic issues are typically excluded from a home warranty. Keep in mind that items like appliances, the furnace, air conditioner, water heater, light fixtures, and ceiling fans are usually covered for one year under the manufacturer's warranty, not the builder’s warranty.
When you move into a new build, it’s super important that you register all of your appliances and fixtures with the manufacturers right away. They typically give you a small window of opportunity to register; otherwise, the warranty becomes void.
Remember, this is a generality. Always check with your builder for what is included and excluded from your specific warranty.
What is an 11 month warranty inspection and why do I need one?
An 11 month warranty inspection is a comprehensive, non-invasive evaluation of the interior and exterior of your new home and its major systems and components. If your homebuyer inspection was with us, then the 11 month warranty inspection will be very similar in process. It’s typically conducted during the 11th month of living in your home and ideally before the builder’s warranty expires, hence why it’s called an 11 month warranty inspection.
Here are the areas we inspect during an 11 month warranty inspection:
Roof (covering, flashing, drainage systems, chimney, flues)
Interior (walls, windows, doors, flooring, ceiling, fixtures)
Exterior (siding, driveway, walkway, deck, vegetation, trees, gradient, fences)
Limited structure (foundation, basement, floors, attic, walls)
Attached garage (foundation, windows, doors, walls, ceiling, garage door)
Heating and cooling systems/HVAC (equipment, operation, distribution, vents, flues)
Plumbing (main valve, drainage, vents)
Electrical (main/sub panel, receptacles, fixtures)
Attic (ventilation, insulation)
Appliances (stove, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator)
Sewer line (for an additional fee - check out our blog post here)
Radon gas level (for an additional fee - check out our blog post here)
Here are the areas we DO NOT inspect during an 11 month warranty inspection:
Termite and pests
Septic systems
Low-voltage systems (landscape lighting, alarm systems, audio visual equipment)
Built-in generators
Pools, spas, saunas
Following your 11 month warranty inspection, you will receive a comprehensive e-report, complete with high-quality digital photos, which includes information on any material defects observed on the date of the inspection. By being empowered with this information, you then can take necessary steps to cash in on the builder’s warranty while it is still in effect. View our sample report here.
You need an 11 month warranty inspection because if you miss the warranty window, the builder has every legal right to decline paying for any problems you find with your new home. On the other hand, the builder must legally cover anything that is outlined in the warranty paperwork within the time specified at no cost to you, such a win!
How Much Does An 11 Month Warranty Inspection Cost?
Price varies depending on your location and region, but if you are hiring us to do your 11 month warranty inspection, you can visit our pricing page to view our home inspection fees.
Don’t be fooled into thinking you can skip the 11 month warranty inspection or perhaps you don’t want to spend the cash. We know the budget is tight as a homeowner and we wouldn’t advise you to spend more of your hard earned money than absolutely necessary.
An 11 month warranty inspection is absolutely necessary. Be a big picture thinker. If there’s a massive crack in your sewer line right now because of a bad installation job during construction and it’s covered by your builder’s warranty, your builder will pay for the $2,000 repair of the sewer line. If you skip the 11 month warranty and have problems with your sewer line down the road, you are on the hook for any and all very costly repairs. Yikes!
Read our blog post to learn how we’ve saved our clients tens of thousands of dollars with our sewer scope inspection service. Make sure to add-on this service to your 11 month warranty inspection!
It really boils down to this one simple decision: Pay a few hundred bucks now or potentially pay thousands later. The choice is yours. Need more convincing? Read our client reviews and check out other topics we’ve written about home inspections.
You’ll also want to throw in a radon test with your 11 month warranty inspection. This is an add-on service we offer on top of the inspection and is incredibly important. If you skipped this offering when buying your home, think twice before doing it again. Read up on the major importance of radon testing.
If you had a sewer scope and/or radon test done on your initial home inspection, great job! Do both again. Your sewer lateral is a big ticket item and a lot can change in a year’s time. The same is true for radon testing. Radon gas levels fluctuate so much overtime, so you’ll want to get another test done to ensure levels haven’t drastically changed.
Now What?
We are consistently told that we are the best Des Moines home inspector in town. We’re excited to serve you for the first time… or the second time! Connect with us for your 11 month warranty inspection by giving us a call or begin the scheduling process here with our online form.
Want More?
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