Buying a newly built home does not mean the property is immune from defects. Unfortunately, brand new homes sometimes reveal problems after you’ve moved in. This is why it’s important to order an 11th-month warranty inspection before the builder’s warranty expires.
Often the builder will provide a one-year warranty on a newly constructed home. Construction-related issues that are discovered in the first 12 months of homeownership will be repaired on the builder’s dime. Order an inspection in the 11th month to take full advantage of the warranty before it expires.
Your Builder Will Take Care of Repairs
During the warranty period, your builder is responsible for repairing any defects found that date back to the original construction of the home. Some problems that occur over the first year could cost thousands of dollars to fix. Because of this, homeowners often save money by ordering the 11th-month inspection.
Many Workers are Involved in Building a House
Your builder will have subcontracted some of the work to other contractors who, in turn, hire workers to complete tasks. Certain contractors are used because they specialize in specific areas, like plumbing, drywall, or roofing. However, mistakes can happen when various people are working on a project. A shortcut here or an oversight there has the potential to lead to expensive repairs down the road.
Find Defects with an 11th-Month Warranty Inspection
There are some common problems that might be covered by the builder’s warranty. Structural issues often found in new homes include structural beams being cut when the furnace or AC system was installed. Workers will sometimes cut right through a floor joist when running a heating duct or plumbing pipe.
There may be roofing problems that lead to leaks and mold growth in the home. Your basement might have incorrectly installed engineered wood flooring and the concrete floors might not have been sealed properly. This leads to moisture that can warp wood and encourage mold growth.
The electrical system might have defects, including wires that are not grounded or that are left uncovered.
A Home Inspection is More Thorough than a Municipal Inspection
City or county inspectors will examine the property, but only to verify it meets basic building codes. These workers don’t have the same time to examine the attic or crawlspaces and complete a full inspection as a third-party inspector does. Municipal inspectors often depend on getting information from the builder or other workers on the site. This means they may miss signs of defective materials or shoddy construction work.
An 11th-Month Warranty Inspection Offers Peace of Mind
In its first year, a new home will settle and shift. Building materials expand and contract in different seasons which may cause issues in the home that the inspection before move-in would not have found. The warranty inspection might discover foundation issues that occurred when the house settled, for example. Don’t pay for an expensive foundation repair when your new house is still under warranty.
To get the most from your warranty, order a home inspection in the 11th month. Your inspector will detail any defects in the inspection report so that you can file a claim before the warranty expires. Failing to do so means any repairs your new home needs will become your responsibility.
Monadnock Home Inspections offers 11th-month warranty inspections to southern New Hampshire. Contact us to request an appointment.