Builder New Home Warranty Inspections

NEW HOME WARRANTY INSPECTIONS

Should you get an inspection on a new construction home?

We always recommend you do. A home inspector often uncovers serious defects that you will miss during your walk through with the builder’s representative.

However, almost no one ever has an inspection performed on a new home because of the warranty. If you forego the initial inspection, we highly recommend you hire an inspector in month 11 to give you a complete picture of the home’s condition.

Some inspectors will significantly reduce the price of the month 11 inspection if you use them for an initial pre-purchase inspection.

Almost every builder or developer will provide you with a One-Year New Home Warranty. This warranty should cover defects in materials, construction, and workmanship. Appliances and AC systems are usually covered by one-year warranty’s from the manufacturers.

To enforce the home warranty, and the appliance warranties, you need to inspect your home carefully prior to the expiration date and report any and all issues to the builder. A thorough home inspection by a professional inspector could uncover issues and defects that the average homeowner will never notice.

Consider hiring a professional inspector to perform an 11-Month Warranty Home Inspection.

A professional inspection is a comprehensive evaluation of the inside and outside your new home as well as it’s electrical, cooling, heating, and plumbing systems and components. Many inspectors use thermal imaging to scan walls, windows, and ceilings for water damage and heating/cooling air loss. These are potentially expensive repair issues that a homeowner would probably never notice.

The inspector provides you with a comprehensive report, including photographs and detailed information on material and workmanship defects observed at the time of the inspection. This documented information allows you to take actions necessary to hold your builder accountable to their warranty.

If you fail to report an issue before the one-year anniversary of your purchase, you may be out of pocket for any repairs. Or worse, you may need an attorney to sue your builder for serious issues that could have been uncovered during the warranty period.