Essential 11-Month Warranty Checklist for New Homeowners

Protect Your One-Year Warranty Rights

A one-year builder warranty covers defects in workmanship and materials for the home's first year. Many issues only show up after seasonal use, so builders remain responsible for repairs during that window. Research and best practice recommend a professional inspection around month 10 or 11. See our timing guide for details.

This checklist helps you identify warrantable defects, run simple in-field tests, and document evidence to preserve repair rights. We'll cover priority systems: roof, foundation, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. You'll get straightforward photo and documentation tips you can present to your builder before the warranty cutoff.

What builders usually cover and why you must prioritize certain systems now

Worried the builder will stop paying for repairs after the first year? A one-year builder warranty usually covers defects in workmanship and materials for key systems. That typically means structural, mechanical, and safety systems like the foundation, framing, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. Because many problems only show up after seasonal settling, this warranty is your last window to get the builder to fix covered issues.

• Foundation and structural items deserve top priority because repair costs and safety risks can be very high.
• Roofing and moisture intrusion come next since leaks or poor ventilation can cause mold and long-term damage.
• Grading and drainage problems often form during the first year and lead to foundation stress and water entry.
• Mechanical systems matter because HVAC, plumbing, and electrical failures are costly and affect daily living.
• Windows, doors, and the exterior envelope are important to check for air leaks, sticking sashes, and failed seals that lead to water problems.

Schedule your professional warranty inspection in month 10 or 11 whenever possible. That timing gives you time to receive a detailed report, document defects, and submit repair requests before the year ends. Experts and our experience show many new homes reveal dozens of punch-list items during the first year, so you want that cushion. See our timing guide for more on why month 10 to 11 works best.

Bottom line: focus on foundation, roofing/moisture, grading, mechanical systems, and the exterior envelope. Book an 11-month inspection to maximize the chance the builder covers repairs and avoid surprise expenses.

Fast, evidence-ready checks for each major system

You want clear, documentable issues to give your builder before the warranty ends. Below are quick, in-field signs and simple tests you or an inspector can run. We focus on what to photograph, how to test, and which findings need escalation.

Foundation and structure

Look for new diagonal cracks at door and window corners, stair-step cracks in masonry, or gaps at the foundation edge. Cracks wider than 1/4 inch are generally a structural concern and should be evaluated professionally.

• Quick test: roll a marble or small ball across floors to find uneven slopes or soft spots. Also check every door and window for sticking, jamming, or failure to latch.
• Escalate if you find cracks over 1/4 inch, doors that suddenly stop fitting, or visible foundation separation. Photograph the crack with a ruler or coin for scale before contacting the builder.

Roof and attic

Inspect shingles, flashing around penetrations, attic insulation, and any signs of water stains or light penetration. Common new-construction defects include improper nailing, missing or unsealed flashings, and blocked ventilation.

• From the ground, note curled, cracked, or missing shingles and any sagging rooflines.
• In the attic, look for damp insulation, mold, or daylight through the roof deck. Photograph stains and penetration points to document water intrusion.
• Escalate if you find active leaks, visible light through decking, or improperly sealed flashings around chimneys or skylights.

HVAC

Test operation under normal thermostat settings and listen for unusual noises. Simple measurements and observations quickly reveal performance problems.

• Quick test: measure the temperature split between return and supply vents. A normal cooling delta-T is roughly 14°F to 22°F.
• Also watch for short cycling, weak airflow, refrigerant line oil stains, or standing water in the condensate pan.
• Escalate if delta-T falls outside the 14°F–22°F range, you see oil on refrigerant lines, or the unit short cycles repeatedly.

Plumbing

Check for active leaks, past leak evidence, water heater issues, and proper drainage slope and venting. Plumbing defects can cause rapid, costly damage if left unaddressed.

• Quick test: attach a water pressure gauge to an outdoor spigot. Normal household pressure sits between about 45 and 65 psi.
• Inspect under sinks and behind appliances for moisture, corrosion, or mineral buildup.
• Escalate immediately for active leaks, poor water heater venting, missing T&P drain pan, or sewer odors and backups.

Electrical, windows, exterior envelope, and site drainage

These items affect safety, comfort, and long-term durability. Check each carefully and document any irregularities.

• Electrical: look for flickering lights, tripped breakers, warm outlets, or water stains at the service panel. Escalate any moisture near the panel or repeated breaker trips.
• Windows and doors: test every sash and latch for smooth operation and note fogged insulated glass or failed seals.
• Exterior envelope: inspect caulking, siding seams, and penetrations for gaps that allow water or air entry.
• Site drainage: walk the perimeter after a rain or run a garden hose to confirm water moves away from the foundation. Escalate if grading funnels water to the foundation or you see erosion near footings.

We recommend documenting everything with dated photos and concise notes. For common new-construction defects and examples, see our new-construction inspection guide.

Create irrefutable warranty claim documentation

Want the builder to fix problems before your warranty ends? Clear, objective evidence makes that happen. It removes guesswork and speeds approvals.

Start with photos and measurable proof. Good photographic practice captures long, mid, and close shots with a scale in frame. Annotate images, note measurements, and record when each photo was taken so the timeline is obvious.

• Take a long-range photo showing the defect’s location in the room or on the exterior.
• Take a mid-range photo to show the area around the defect and its scale.
• Take a close-up photo with a measuring tape, ruler, or coin for scale.
• Capture tool readouts when appropriate, such as moisture meters or levels, with the display visible.
• Annotate each image and add a short timeline note like 'observed after 15 minutes of simulated rainfall.'

Add a cost context to strengthen the claim. Attach a standard cost guide or a professional estimate so the builder sees repair scope and likely expense.

Know when to call a specialist. Some issues need a professional report to compel action.

• Structural engineer: refer if you see foundation cracks over 1/8 inch, stair-step cracks, or misaligned doors and windows.
• HVAC technician: refer for uneven temperatures, refrigerant leaks, oil on lines, or persistent moisture in ductwork.
• Electrician: refer for burned components, charred wiring, bootleg grounds, or repeated breaker trips.
• Plumber: refer for active leaks, slow main-line drainage, low whole-house pressure, or hidden moisture.
• Pest inspector: refer if you find mud tubes, exit holes, frass, or other signs of wood-destroying organisms.

Follow a tight, time-sensitive workflow in the final 30 days before the warranty expires.

1. Day 30: Submit a written, time-stamped claim with your inspection report, photos, annotations, and any specialist reports.
2. Request a written timeline for assessment and repairs, and ask the builder to acknowledge receipt in writing.
3. Keep a chronological log of all calls and emails. Follow up if you do not get a response within 7 business days.
4. After repairs, inspect and photograph the work before you sign off. If repairs are incomplete, reopen the claim immediately.

We recommend converting your inspection into clear, time-stamped evidence to protect your repair rights. If you need help turning an inspection into a persuasive claim, see how to read and act on your inspection report.

Finish Strong in the Final Weeks of Your Warranty

Worried about missing the one-year warranty deadline? Schedule a professional 11-month inspection around month 10 or 11. Prioritize foundation, roof, HVAC, plumbing, and the exterior. Document defects with dated photos, measurements, and concise notes. Then submit a written, time-stamped claim at least 30 days before the cutoff.

Professional support makes the difference. An experienced inspector finds hidden issues and advises when a specialist report is needed. That approach boosts the odds the builder will cover repairs and helps you avoid surprise costs.

Use this checklist as your roadmap during the critical final weeks. If you want us to handle the inspection and claim-ready documentation, call Alert Home Inspections at (817) 999-4162 or email jordan.wood@woodshop.dev. We'll schedule promptly and deliver a clear, claim-ready report so you can protect your repair rights.