Buying or Owning a Home
11-Month Warranty Inspection
Quick answer
What is an 11-month warranty inspection?
An 11-month warranty inspection is a home inspection of a newly built house performed shortly before the builder's first-year warranty expires. It documents visible defects that developed or were missed during the first year — settling cracks, roof and flashing issues, plumbing leaks, HVAC problems, drainage, and workmanship items — so the owner can submit a written warranty claim to the builder before coverage ends.
Why the timing matters
Many Florida builders provide a one-year workmanship-and-materials warranty, a longer warranty on major systems, and a longer structural warranty (a common structure is 1-2-10, but read your own documents). The first year is when most workmanship issues reveal themselves: the house has been through a full Florida summer, the HVAC has run hard, and the rainy season has tested roofing, windows, and grading.
Inspecting in months 10 or 11 leaves time to submit a written claim, schedule the builder's review, and follow up — all before the deadline. Waiting until the final weeks risks running out the clock.
What we commonly document after a first year
- Drywall and stucco cracks beyond normal shrinkage, and nail pops
- Roof shingle, tile, or flashing issues and staining in the attic
- Condensate line, pan, or float-switch problems at the air handler
- Doors and windows that bind, leak, or have failed seals
- Grading and downspout discharge that lets water sit near the slab
- Plumbing leaks under sinks and at water heater connections
- Missing or displaced attic insulation from other trades' work
How to use the report
The report is organized as a claim-ready list with photos. Submit it according to your builder's warranty procedure — most require written notice — and keep copies of everything you send. For construction-defect disputes, Florida has a formal pre-suit notice process under Chapter 558, Florida Statutes; that's a legal matter to discuss with an attorney, but a dated, photo-documented report is useful evidence regardless.
Who typically needs it
- Owners of a new home approaching the end of the builder's first-year warranty
- Owners who skipped a pre-closing inspection and want documentation now
- Owners who had a final inspection and want to compare conditions after a year of use
What's included
We evaluate
- Full visual home-inspection scope
- Attic review for insulation, ventilation, and roof-leak evidence
- HVAC operation and condensate drainage
- Plumbing fixtures, visible supply and drain lines, and water heater
- Exterior envelope, stucco, sealants, windows, and doors
- Site drainage and grading around the foundation
- Warranty-claim-ready report organized by location
Not included
- Interpreting or enforcing your builder's warranty terms
- Concealed components and code compliance
- Legal advice about construction-defect claims
Benefits
- Get covered repairs done at the builder's expense
- Dated, photo-documented evidence for your warranty claim
- Catch small water and drainage issues before they become large ones
- Understand how your home performed through its first Florida summer
Pricing and cost factors
From $290 (under 1,000 sq ft)
11-month warranty inspections follow residential pricing tiers based on square footage.
Homes over 5,000 sq. ft. – call for custom quote.
- Living area
- Location (travel adjustment beyond our service area)
- Optional wind mitigation update
What to expect
When to schedule: Schedule around month 10 of ownership so there is time to submit a written claim before the one-year mark.
Step 1: Check your warranty deadline
Find the closing or warranty start date and the claim-submission procedure in your builder documents.
Step 2: Inspect in months 10–11
We perform a full visual inspection with extra attention to first-year wear items.
Step 3: Submit your claim
Use the organized, photo-documented report to submit a written claim before coverage ends.
11-Month Warranty FAQs
When should I schedule an 11-month warranty inspection?
Around month 10, so the report is in hand with several weeks to spare before the first-year warranty expires.
Will the builder fix everything in the report?
Builders repair items covered by their warranty terms. Some findings may be maintenance items or fall outside coverage. The report gives you clear documentation; your warranty determines what's covered.
I didn't get an inspection before closing. Is it too late?
No. An 11-month inspection is often the first independent inspection many new-home owners get, and it's still valuable while the warranty is active.
Related services
New-Construction Final Inspection
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Examines exposed framing and rough electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems before drywall, documenting visible concerns while the builder can still address them.Learn Moreabout Pre-Drywall InspectionResidential Home Inspection
A visual assessment of accessible home systems and components, documenting visible deficiencies with photographs and recommendations to support purchase, repair, and maintenance decisions.Learn Moreabout Residential Home InspectionLearn more
New-Construction Final vs. 11-Month Warranty Inspections
Both inspections protect new-home buyers, at different moments. Compare timing, purpose, and what each typically finds in Tampa Bay new construction.
Read the guideHow to Read a Home Inspection Report
A practical method for reading a home inspection report: start with the summary, sort by priority, get estimates, and decide what to negotiate.
Read the guide
Schedule your 11-month warranty inspection
Schedule online or call to talk through the right inspection for your home and timeline.