Bought a New Home Last Summer? Don’t Miss Your 11 Month Warranty Inspection

If you purchased a new home last summer, your builder warranty may be approaching its one year mark sooner than you think. Many homeowners don’t realize how quickly that first year goes by. By the time issues become more noticeable, the warranty window may already be closing. Before your warranty expires, having your home professionally inspected can help identify concerns that your builder may still be responsible for addressing. An 11 month warranty inspection is designed to help you take advantage of that coverage while it is still in place.
 

Summer Closings Are Approaching Month 11

 
Spring and early summer are busy seasons for new construction closings in Texas. If you moved into a newly built home between June and August last year, you may now be approaching month 11. This is the ideal time to take a closer look at how your home has performed through its first year, especially after experiencing Texas heat, seasonal rain, and normal settling. Scheduling an inspection before your warranty expires gives you time to document concerns and submit them to your builder.
 

Why the First Year Matters in Texas

 
The first year is when many homes begin to show natural changes. In Texas, soil conditions and seasonal weather patterns can play a big role in how a home settles and performs over time. Expansive soils, summer heat, and periods of rain can all contribute to movement and changes around the home.

Some of the most common first-year changes include:

• Minor foundation movement due to soil expansion and contraction
• Drywall cracks or nail pops
• Shifts in grading or drainage after landscaping settles
• Caulking separation around windows, doors, and trim
• Doors or windows that no longer open and close as smoothly

These changes are often normal, but they are still important to document while the home is under warranty.
 

Common Issues That Show Up Before Month 11

 
As homeowners begin living in the space and systems are used more regularly, certain issues may become more noticeable.

An 11 month inspection can help identify things like:

• Door alignment issues or sticking doors
• Interior cracks or cosmetic separation
• Exterior grading or drainage concerns
• Irrigation overspray affecting the foundation
• Caulking gaps around exterior components
• Window performance concerns
• HVAC performance during peak heating or cooling

These are the types of items that may not have been visible at closing but can develop over time.
 

We Help You Get the Most From Your Warranty

 
A builder warranty provides valuable coverage during your home’s first year, but once it expires, repairs that may have been covered can become the homeowner’s responsibility. A builder warranty inspection is a comprehensive visual evaluation of your home designed to identify deficiencies that may have developed during that first year. Scheduling this inspection before your warranty expires allows you to provide your builder with a detailed list of items that may need attention.
 

Why Scheduling Early Matters

 
Timing is key when it comes to warranty inspections. Waiting until the last minute can limit your options. Scheduling your inspection around month 10 or early month 11, ideally about 30 days before your warranty expires, allows time to:

• Review the inspection findings
• Create a punch list of items to address
• Submit warranty claims to your builder
• Allow time for repairs before the warranty expires

Planning ahead helps avoid unnecessary stress as the deadline approaches.
 

Protect Your Builder Warranty Before It Expires

 
Your builder warranty is there to protect you, but it is up to you to take advantage of it before it ends. An 11-month warranty inspection provides an opportunity to take a closer look at how your home has held up over its first year and identify areas that may need attention. Addressing these items before your warranty expires can help protect your investment and give you added confidence in your home moving forward. Like all of our inspections, this includes a complimentary Wood Destroying Insect Report.
 
If your home is approaching its one year mark, now is the time to schedule your Builder Warranty Home Inspection. Contact us at any of our locations – DFW 972-235-0800, Austin 512-993-5100, San Antonio 210-990-0726, Houston 832-474-2515, or schedule your inspection online!