New Construction Warranty Inspections: Don’t Let Your Builder Warranty Expire Without One
Buying a brand-new home can feel like buying peace of mind. Everything is new, the finishes look great, and the builder may provide a warranty covering certain defects during the first year.
But new does not always mean defect-free.
After months of living in a new home, problems can begin to appear that were not obvious at closing. That is why a new construction warranty inspection, often called an 11-month inspection, can be one of the smartest steps a homeowner takes before the builder’s initial warranty period expires.
At Battalion Home Inspections, we help homeowners throughout Boerne, San Antonio, Fair Oaks Ranch, Kerrville, Fredericksburg, and the Texas Hill Country identify concerns before they potentially become the homeowner’s responsibility.
What Is an 11-Month Warranty Inspection?
An 11-month warranty inspection is a comprehensive home inspection performed near the end of a builder’s first-year warranty period.
Many builders provide some form of limited warranty on new construction homes, although coverage and timeframes vary by builder. Homeowners should always review their individual warranty documents to determine exactly what is covered and when claims must be submitted.
Scheduling the inspection around the 10th or 11th month gives you time to have the home professionally evaluated and report applicable concerns to the builder before warranty deadlines arrive.
Think of it as a final opportunity to have another set of trained eyes look over the house after it has experienced nearly a full year of normal use.
Why Inspect a Brand-New Home?
A newly constructed house contains thousands of individual components installed by numerous contractors and subcontractors.
Even with good builders and quality tradespeople, things can be overlooked.
During the first year, the home is also settling and going through seasonal changes. Texas heat, heavy rain, humidity, changing soil conditions, and normal use of the home can reveal deficiencies that may not have been visible during the original construction process.
A professional new construction home inspection can help identify these concerns while you may still have the opportunity to address them with the builder.
Problems That May Appear During the First Year
Every home is different, but an 11-month inspection may uncover concerns involving several major systems.
Roof and Exterior Components
Texas weather can quickly reveal weaknesses in a home’s exterior envelope.
An inspector may identify concerns involving:
● Roof coverings
● Flashing around roof penetrations
● Exterior siding and trim
● Sealant deterioration or missing sealant
● Gutters and drainage
● Windows and exterior doors
● Water intrusion
● Grading around the foundation
Small exterior deficiencies can become much larger problems when water is allowed to enter the structure.
Attic and Ventilation Issues
The attic is an area most homeowners rarely enter, but it can reveal important information about the home.
During an inspection, we may evaluate visible and accessible components such as:
● Roof framing
● Insulation
● HVAC ductwork
● Electrical wiring
● Moisture conditions
● Bathroom exhaust ventilation
● Roof decking
● Plumbing penetrations
One issue commonly found during home inspections is a bathroom exhaust fan terminating inside the attic instead of properly exhausting to the exterior.
That warm, moisture-filled air can contribute to elevated attic humidity and potentially lead to moisture-related damage.
Plumbing Concerns
Months of regular use can expose plumbing deficiencies that were not obvious when the home was first completed.
Possible findings may include:
● Plumbing leaks
● Loose fixtures
● Improper drainage
● Water heater concerns
● Excessive or low water pressure
● Slow drains
● Missing or improper plumbing components
Even a small leak can cause substantial damage when it remains undetected.
Electrical Issues
Electrical systems contain many individual components, and defects may not always be visible to the homeowner.
A professional home inspection may identify concerns involving:
● Electrical panels
● Breakers
● Receptacles
● GFCI protection
● AFCI protection
● Exterior electrical components
● Improper wiring
● Loose electrical connections
● Missing covers or safety components
Electrical deficiencies are particularly important because some conditions may present a potential fire or shock hazard.
HVAC Performance
Your heating and cooling system gets a workout in the San Antonio and Texas Hill Country climate.
After experiencing a full Texas summer—or nearly a full year of operation—issues may begin to become noticeable.
An inspection can evaluate visible and accessible HVAC components and identify concerns such as:
● Condensate drainage problems
● Damaged or disconnected ductwork
● Improper installation
● Airflow concerns
● Missing insulation
● Drain pan issues
● Equipment installation deficiencies
HVAC repairs can become expensive, making early identification especially valuable.
Foundation, Walls, Doors and Settling
Some movement is expected as homes settle, but certain conditions may warrant additional attention.
During the first year, homeowners may begin noticing:
● Drywall cracks
● Doors that do not close properly
● Flooring changes
● Exterior cracks
● Separation around trim
● Drainage or grading concerns
A home inspector can document visible conditions and recommend further evaluation when appropriate.
Why You Shouldn’t Rely Only on a Builder Walkthrough
Builder walkthroughs are valuable, but they are not the same thing as an independent home inspection.
A builder representative is primarily focused on completing the builder’s construction and warranty process.
An independent Texas home inspector works for you.
The goal is to provide an objective evaluation of the home’s visible and accessible systems and components so that you can better understand its condition.
Don’t Wait Until the Last Few Days of Your Warranty
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners can make is waiting until the warranty deadline is approaching before thinking about an inspection.
Give yourself enough time.
Consider scheduling your 11-month warranty inspection during the 10th or early 11th month after closing. This gives you time to:
1. Receive your inspection report.
2. Review the findings.
3. Contact your builder.
4. Submit applicable warranty requests.
5. Allow time for repairs or follow-up evaluations.
Always confirm the specific deadlines and procedures contained in your builder warranty.
What Do You Receive From a Battalion Home Inspection?
Our goal is not simply to identify deficiencies.
We want our clients to understand their homes.
Battalion Home Inspections provides a detailed inspection designed to help homeowners identify concerns, understand important systems and make informed decisions about maintenance and repairs.
Whether you are purchasing a home, building a new home or approaching the end of your builder warranty, having an independent inspector evaluate the property can provide valuable information.
Serving Boerne, San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country
Battalion Home Inspections proudly provides professional home inspection services throughout:
Boerne • San Antonio • Fair Oaks Ranch • Kerrville • Fredericksburg • Texas Hill Country
If your new construction home is approaching its first anniversary, now is the time to check your builder warranty and consider scheduling an inspection.
Don’t wait until the warranty expires to discover a problem that may have been identified sooner.
Schedule Your New Construction Warranty Inspection
Battalion Home Inspections PLLC
We Inspect to Protect.
Phillip Randle
📞 210-421-3532
✉️ battalioninspections@gmail.com
🌐 www.battalioninspects.com
Serving homeowners throughout Boerne, San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country.