11-Month Warranty Inspections in Northeast Wisconsin

Your newly built home has been through almost a full year of Wisconsin weather, everyday use, and natural settling. Now is the perfect time to give it another close look.

ACE Home Inspections provides 11-month warranty inspections for homeowners in Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, Appleton, and communities throughout the Fox Valley and Northeast Wisconsin. If your new home is approaching the end of its builder warranty period, an independent home inspection can help identify problems that may have appeared since you moved in—while you may still have time to bring covered items to your builder's attention.

What Is an 11-Month Warranty Inspection?

An 11-month warranty inspection is a professional inspection performed toward the end of your first year in a newly constructed home. It is sometimes called a one-year warranty inspection or builder warranty inspection.

Many new-home warranties provide coverage for certain workmanship or construction issues during an initial warranty period. Because coverage and deadlines vary from one builder to another, homeowners should review their specific warranty documents carefully.

Scheduling an inspection before your applicable warranty deadline gives you an opportunity to identify concerns and document their condition before submitting them to your builder.

Even if you had your home professionally inspected before closing, another inspection can be valuable after you've actually lived in the house. Heating and cooling systems have operated through different seasons, plumbing fixtures have received regular use, the home has experienced temperature and moisture changes, and the structure and surrounding soil have had time to settle.

Why Inspect a Brand-New Home Again?

New construction doesn't necessarily mean problem-free construction.

A home involves the work of numerous contractors and trades, and small installation or workmanship issues aren't always obvious when you first move in. Other concerns may only become noticeable after months of everyday use or seasonal changes.

During your first year, you may notice things like doors that no longer close properly, cracks developing in walls or ceilings, drainage issues after heavy rain, plumbing leaks, uneven heating or cooling, or exterior components that aren't performing as expected.

A professional inspection provides an independent evaluation of the home's visible and accessible systems and components so you have a better understanding of its current condition.

What Do We Look for During a Builder Warranty Inspection?

ACE Home Inspections takes a thorough look at the accessible interior and exterior components of your new home. Depending on the property and conditions at the time of inspection, we evaluate areas such as:

• Foundation and visible structural components

• Roof, flashing, vents, and exterior finishes

• Siding, soffit, fascia, windows, and exterior doors

• Grading and drainage around the home

• Attic insulation and ventilation

• Interior walls, ceilings, floors, doors, and windows

• Electrical panel, outlets, switches, and accessible electrical components

• Plumbing fixtures, faucets, drains, toilets, water pressure, and visible plumbing

• Water heater

• Heating and cooling systems

• Decks, porches, patios, stairs, and railings

• Driveways, walkways, and other accessible exterior components

The goal isn't to create a list of cosmetic imperfections simply for the sake of making a long report. We provide the facts about what we observe and identify conditions that may warrant repair, maintenance, or further evaluation.

Wisconsin Weather Can Reveal Problems That Weren't Obvious at Closing

One advantage of waiting until near the end of your first year is that your home has usually experienced much more than it had at the time of your original walkthrough.

In Northeast Wisconsin, that may include freezing temperatures, snow and ice, spring thaw, heavy rain, summer heat, and significant temperature changes. These conditions can reveal drainage problems, moisture intrusion, exterior deficiencies, insulation or ventilation concerns, and other issues that weren't apparent when construction was first completed. You've also had months to use your furnace, air conditioning, plumbing, electrical system, appliances, windows, and doors under normal living conditions.

An 11-month inspection provides an opportunity to evaluate the home after it has been put to the test.

Construction Experience Matters When Inspecting New Homes

New-home inspections are an area where ACE Home Inspections' construction background provides a real advantage.

Owner Ric Thompson brings more than 20 years of construction experience in addition to his experience in real estate and professional home inspection. That background helps him recognize the visual clues that can indicate improper installation, construction deficiencies, moisture concerns, movement, or conditions that deserve a closer look.

ACE doesn't approach a home inspection as a pass-or-fail test. We provide you with objective information about what we find so you can make informed decisions about your property.

When Should I Schedule My 11-Month Inspection?

Don't wait until the final days of your builder warranty.

Review your warranty paperwork to determine your specific coverage period and any deadlines or procedures for submitting repair requests. Ideally, schedule your inspection with enough time remaining to receive your inspection report, review the findings, and contact your builder before the applicable warranty period expires.

If you're unsure whether it's time to schedule, contact ACE Home Inspections and let us know when you closed on or moved into your newly constructed home.