11-Month Warranty Inspections

Take Another Look Before Your Builder’s First-Year Warranty Ends

A new home can change during its first year. Materials dry and settle, the seasons change, and plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems are used regularly for the first time. During that period, concerns may become visible that were not present — or could not be observed — before closing. An 11-month warranty inspection gives you an opportunity to document the home’s visible condition before the builder’s typical one-year warranty period expires.

Home Scan Home Inspections provides 11-month warranty inspections for homeowners in Coweta County and throughout the state of Georgia and eastern Alabama. Our locally owned husband-and-wife team combines personal service with years of practical home building

experience to help you take a closer look at your new home.

What Is an 11-Month Warranty Inspection?

An 11-month warranty inspection is a visual, non-invasive evaluation completed near the end of the builder’s first year of coverage. It is sometimes called a one-year warranty inspection.

The inspection examines the home’s accessible systems and components for visible defects, incomplete work, signs of movement, and other conditions that may deserve attention.

After the inspection, you will receive a report documenting the conditions observed. You can use that information when preparing a warranty request for the builder.

Home Scan does not interpret the warranty contract, decide whether a finding is covered or require the builder to complete a repair. Warranty eligibility and repair decisions remain between the homeowner and builder.

Why Wait Until the 11th Month?

By the time you have lived in the home for nearly a year, the property has usually experienced changing temperatures, rainfall, and seasonal HVAC demands. You have also had time to use the fixtures, appliances, doors, windows, and electrical components in everyday conditions.

During that time, you may notice issues such as:

• Doors or windows that no longer operate smoothly
• Cracks or separation in finished materials
• Plumbing leaks or slow drainage
• Uneven heating or cooling
• Condensation or moisture staining
• Drainage problems after heavy rain
• Loose fixtures or incomplete finishes
• Electrical components that do not operate properly
• Exterior sealant or flashing concerns
• Roof or attic conditions that were not previously visible

Scheduling around the 11th month provides time for these conditions to become apparent while still allowing you to submit documentation before the warranty deadline.

Do not rely on the name of the service alone when scheduling. Review your builder’s warranty documents to determine the exact coverage periods, notice requirements, and claim deadlines. Some warranties require written notice before the home reaches 12 months.

What Does an 11-Month Inspection Cover?

The inspection is based on the visible and accessible condition of the home on the day of the appointment. Depending on the property, it may include:

• Roof coverings and visible roof components
• Gutters and roof drainage
• Exterior siding, masonry, trim, and sealants
• Windows and exterior doors
• Grading and drainage around the home
• Foundation and visible structural components
• Attic, insulation, and ventilation
• Interior walls, ceilings, and floors
• Doors, windows, stairs, and railings
• Plumbing fixtures, supply lines, and drains
• Water-heating equipment
• Electrical panels, receptacles, and fixtures
• Heating and cooling systems
• Built-in appliances
• Garage doors and safety features
• Porches, decks and steps
• Visible signs of moisture intrusion
• Other accessible components in the inspection agreement

Home Scan’s base home inspection also includes a roof and termite inspection at no additional charge.

The inspection cannot reveal every concealed or future condition. Components located behind walls, beneath finished materials, or in inaccessible areas are outside the scope of a visual inspection.

Your Experience in the Home Matters

Before the inspection, make a list of concerns you have noticed since moving in. Some conditions may be intermittent and may not occur while the inspector is present.

Helpful information may include:

• When the concern first appeared
• Whether it happens consistently or intermittently
• Photographs or videos of the condition
• Weather conditions associated with the issue
• Previous repair requests
• Communications from the builder
• Contractor invoices or service records
• Areas the builder has already repaired

Share this information before or during the inspection. It can provide useful context and help identify areas that deserve particular attention.

How to Prepare for the Inspection

To help us evaluate as much of the home as possible:

• Make sure utilities are connected and operating
• Provide access to the attic, electrical panel, and mechanical equipment
• Remove stored items blocking sinks, water heaters, and HVAC components
• Replace burned-out bulbs when practical
• Make sure built-in appliances are accessible
• Gather warranty documents and previous repair records
• Prepare a written list of homeowner concerns
• Confirm the builder’s claim-submission deadline

After receiving the report, review the findings and follow the builder’s required process for submitting warranty requests. Keep copies of the report, photographs, emails, and other documentation.

How This Inspection Fits With Earlier New-Home Inspections

An 11-month warranty inspection does not replace inspections performed during construction or before closing. Each service evaluates the home at a different stage.

• Pre-Drywall Inspection — A pre-drywall inspection provides an opportunity to observe framing and rough mechanical components before walls and ceilings conceal them.
• Final New-Construction Inspection — A final new-construction inspection evaluates the substantially completed home before the final walkthrough or closing.
• 11-Month Warranty Inspection — The 11-month inspection takes place after you have lived in the home and its systems have operated through changing conditions.

Homeowners can schedule an 11-month inspection even if they did not have the earlier inspections. The service can still provide valuable information about the home’s current visible condition.