Warranty Inspections

Warranty Inspections
We recommend that if you have purchased a new house or condominium unit, that you have a warranty inspection not less than one year after you have closed on the property. General contractors and developers, are required to warranty their work for at least one year. Similarly many of the fixtures and appliances in the new dwelling are under a limited warranty provided by the manufacturer. If construction defects are present and/or products fail prior to the warranty period, the builder or manufacturer may be responsible for any necessary repairs.

After the one year anniversary has passed, you give up almost any chance you have in getting your builder to correct any issues you may have. Our warranty inspection is designed just for this purpose, so you can give your builder a written document that has all of the warranty issues known to date. Once your builder is put on notice about these problems the builder has no recourse but to correct or address the problems under state law, even if it goes beyond the twelve months. The key is to putting them on notice with the report before the first year anniversary date of your new home.

Why Do I Need A Home Warranty Inspection?
In some states every new home has a one-year warranty by the builder covering defects in workmanship or materials. Builders also frequently purchase additional warranties to cover their liability and to use as marketing tools. These additional home warranties are very specific about what they cover and many warranty contracts stipulate that the original one-year warranty is replaced by the new home warranty.

Mike inspecting engineered joists for proper construction and verifying proper rating for span.

Your new home is probably the single largest investment of your life!
You should make every effort to understand your warranty and protect your investment. Defects in new homes fall into several categories. Among these are, obvious material and workmanship defects, and hidden material and workmanship defects. You have probably taken care of both obvious defect categories. Appliances that do not function correctly and cosmetic issues are two of the most common. The defects that are more difficult to see are the ones that should concern you. Improper wiring, small exterior openings where moisture seeps in and poor drainage are among the most common.

It's All About Time!
Over time, hidden defects can cause substantial damage to homes. Improper drainage can damage foundations leading to structural problems. Small exterior leaks can lead to mold, termites and other wood destroying organisms. Electrical problems often remain unnoticed, until someone is injured or worse. The goal is to uncover the defects that could lead to more serious problems down the road—since frequently they take longer than one year to show up. You need to document issues and have repairs made during the warranty period.

Alex using a combustible gas detector

Your inspection should be in months eight through ten of your first year. This allows the maximum time for issues to arise and time for builder repairs during the warranty period. If you have any questions about warranty inspections, just give our office a call. You will not run into any high pressure sales tactics, just honest, informative answers to your questions. We’ll are pleased to assist you. Schedule Inspection