Your new home has lived through a full Tennessee year of heat, humidity and storms. Find out what changed — while the builder is still on the hook to fix it.
Most new homes come with a builder warranty that covers workmanship and materials for the first year. An 11th-month warranty inspection is a complete inspection performed shortly before that coverage ends, so you can submit a documented list of defects while the builder is still responsible.
During the first year, a home settles, framing dries out and every system gets its first full run through the seasons. Drywall cracks, nail pops, sticking doors, roof and flashing issues, grading problems and HVAC performance concerns often appear in this window.
Mark Schumacher inspects the home top to bottom and documents each finding with photos, giving you a professional report to submit with your warranty request.
These are common items Mark documents for warranty claims.
Drywall cracks, nail pops and gaps at trim as framing settles.
Sticking or misaligned doors and windows and failed seals.
Settled backfill, ponding water and erosion around the foundation.
Uneven temperatures, condensate issues and duct problems.
Once your one-year warranty ends, many repairs become your responsibility. Some longer-term coverage may remain for major systems or structure depending on your builder, but the broad first-year workmanship coverage usually does not.
Many homeowners simply don't know what to look for, or they notice small items and plan to report them later — until the deadline passes. An inspection in the 11th month gives you time to compile and submit everything at once.
The report also serves as a valuable record of your home's condition after its first year, which can help with future maintenance planning or resale.
A complete inspection of the home after its first year, including:
About ten to eleven months after closing. That leaves enough time to receive the report and submit your warranty request before the one-year deadline. Check your warranty documents for the exact date.
Coverage varies by builder. Many offer one year of workmanship and materials coverage, with longer coverage for certain systems or structural elements. Review your warranty paperwork for specifics.
Yes. Many problems don't appear until the home has gone through a full year of seasons and settling. This inspection catches the issues that develop after move-in.
Follow your builder's warranty claim process — most accept a written list with photos. Mark's report is organized to make that easy.
Plan it right and you'll beat the deadline with time to spare.
Find your warranty expiration date and call 561-301-7571 around month ten.
Mark inspects the entire home for defects that developed during year one.
Every finding is photographed and described for your warranty claim.
Send the list through your builder's warranty process before coverage ends.
Year-One Inspections • TN License #1374 • InterNACHI Certified • Serving Nashville & Middle Tennessee