Buying a newly built home is a massive milestone for anyone, but it is not without risks. To be on the safer side, set up an 11-month home inspection, one of the best things you can do to protect your investment.
But what does this inspection entail, and why is it so important? In this blog, we break down why an 11-month home inspection is a must for making sure your about-to-be-new home is in top shape before your builder’s warranty ends.
What Is An 11-Month Home Inspection?
An 11-month home inspection is a comprehensive evaluation of a newly constructed home executed just prior to the expiration of a builder’s one-year warranty.
This inspection is used to locate any defects, maintenance issues, or possible concerns that may be covered by the warranty. This will allow you to see the issues early and have them addressed by the builder, saving you time and money in the future.
Why Is An 11-Month Home Inspection So Important?
When buying a brand-new home, especially for many new homeowners, it’s easy to assume everything in it must be in perfect condition. And while a brand-new home is supposed to be in good condition, there are several reasons to get one either way.
Catching Issues Before The Warranty Expires
Builders’ warranties are usually valid for one year. After that period, if anything goes wrong, you’ll have to foot the bill. An 11-month home warranty inspection gives you more than enough time to assess any issues before your warranty expires.
Because all these issues can be caught early, you can have the builder fix them for free or at a reduced cost, saving you a ton of money.
Get Ahead Of Small Problems Before They Become Big Issues
Just because a home is new does not mean there are no construction flaws. An 11-month home inspection will catch smaller problems like cracks in the walls, uneven flooring, or plumbing problems that you may not have seen at first.
However, they have the potential to get worse as time goes on. The good news is that finding and addressing these concerns early will save you from dealing with more expensive, larger repairs in the future.
Gives Confidence That Work Was Done According To Code
There are building codes for how homes are built safely and efficiently, but not all builders play by the books. A professional inspector will inspect everything in an 11-month home inspection to make sure that everything was done according to local building codes and standards. By doing so, potential safety hazards or shortcuts left unchecked can be uncovered.
Verify The Quality Of Work
Most builders strive to build good homes, but mistakes are bound to happen. An 11-month home inspection offers an unbiased third-party assessment of construction quality.
The inspector will check the installation of windows and doors and the integrity of the roof. They can spot poor workmanship that isn’t immediately obvious.
Identify Maintenance Issues Sooner
Not all problems are defects; they could be maintenance concerns that may lessen the home’s life. For example, your appliances or other systems might not have been installed correctly or may be underperforming.
An 11-month home inspection can help you pinpoint these before they become big issues. It’s always better to address these things while the builder’s warranty is valid than to let them worsen.
What Does An 11-Month Home Inspection Cover?
The 11-month home inspection checks the whole house and typically includes the following areas:
- Exterior: Things to look for include cracks in the foundation, poor grading, and problems with the roof, siding, and windows.
- Interior: The inspector will check walls, floors, ceilings, and doors for damage or evidence of the wrong installation.
- Plumbing And Electrical Systems: The inspector will check to ensure these crucial systems are free from leaks, faulty wiring, poor water pressure, or poor drainage.
- HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning): This includes checking the furnace, air conditioner, and ventilation systems.
- Appliances: Assessing the capacity of appliances such as the oven, refrigerator, and dishwasher.
- Attic And Basement: They can also show problems with insulation, mold, or structural problems.
Benefits Of Scheduling An 11-Month Home Warranty Inspection
Here are some of the key benefits of scheduling an 11-month home inspection:
Peace Of Mind
There is a comfort in knowing that a professional has looked at your home carefully. You’ll know if there are any problems that need fixing and if your home is sound.
Avoid Unexpected Costs
Rewarded by catching problems before the warranty expires, you avoid the unanticipated repair costs that would otherwise be your own. This could be anything from bad plumbing to structural issues and cost a pretty penny to repair.
Protect Your Investment
Your home is probably the most significant investment you’ll ever make. Not only will you stay safe, but ensuring that it stays in good condition helps keep its value up. Identifying problems early on means you don’t need to pursue costly long-term fixes. If left unaddressed, these problems could ultimately impact the home’s resale value.
Hold Your Builder Accountable
An 11-month home warranty inspection helps keep your builder on the hook. If there are any flaws or incidents that need to be fixed under the warranty, you have the assurance that they will be fixed before the time expires.
Conclusion: Schedule Your 11-Month Home Inspection Today
Any new homeowner will tell you the importance of an 11-month home inspection. It lets you find out if there are any problems with your new home before your builder’s warranty is up so you can avoid expensive repairs and relax knowing that your new home is in good shape.
At Linkhorn Home Inspections, we specialize in 11-month home inspections that offer a thorough, unbiased evaluation of your home. A team of experienced inspectors examines your new home and makes sure everything is in good working order to avoid expensive headaches later.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Schedule your 11-month home inspection with Linkhorn Home Inspections today. Protect your home investment and build it to last.
