New Build 11-Month Inspection Checklist: Catch Defects Before Your Warranty Expires

When you buy a new construction home, the builder's warranty is one of the most valuable protections you have — and one of the most commonly wasted. Most new homes come with at least a one-year workmanship warranty covering defects in materials and installation. Many builders also provide a two-year systems warranty on electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, and a ten-year structural warranty on the foundation and load-bearing components.

The problem is that these warranties do not automatically trigger. You have to identify the defects and submit them in writing before the warranty period expires. A homeowner who moves in and does nothing for twelve months often discovers problems after their workmanship coverage has already lapsed.

The solution is a thorough inspection in month eleven — before the first-year deadline — using a structured defect checklist.

Why Month Eleven Is the Deadline

The one-year workmanship period is standard across most major builders in the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK. Builders like Pulte, Lennar, and others have explicit processes for an 11-month warranty inspection. You submit a list of concerns, the builder schedules a walkthrough, and any covered defects get repaired at no cost.

Once that window closes, the same repairs become your expense. Foundation cracks, roof flashing gaps, and drywall defects that cost the builder a few hundred dollars to fix in month eleven can cost you thousands of dollars to address independently in month thirteen.

This does not mean you need to wait until month eleven to submit concerns. If you notice a defect early — a leaking shower, a door that will not latch, cracked grout within weeks of move-in — document and submit it immediately. The eleven-month inspection is a final sweep to catch everything you may have missed in the first year.

Understanding Your Coverage

Most new builds include three warranty tiers: a one-year workmanship warranty (defects in materials, installation, and finish work — drywall, doors, trim, grout), a two-year systems warranty (electrical, plumbing, and HVAC installation defects), and a ten-year structural warranty (foundation, load-bearing walls, roof structure, and floor systems). Some builders also offer a 90-day post-closing period for issues discovered immediately after move-in.

Check your closing documents for the exact terms. The eleven-month inspection is focused on the one-year workmanship tier, but any structural or systems concerns you find should also be documented.

Room-by-Room and System-by-System Checklist

Work through this list in month eleven and document every issue with photographs, room descriptions, and dates.

Foundation and Exterior

Foundation wall inspection. Hairline cracks in poured concrete are common during curing and are not structurally significant. However, horizontal cracks, cracks wider than a credit card, or any crack that has changed length since you first noticed it should be submitted. These can indicate settling beyond normal parameters.

Grading and drainage. The soil around your foundation should slope away from the house on all sides. Builders frequently leave this in poor condition — either too flat or actually sloping toward the house. Poor grading causes water to pool against the foundation and is a major driver of basement moisture problems. The builder should correct any negative grading before your warranty expires.

Brick and mortar. Look for stair-step cracks in brick veneer. Some settlement cracking is normal in the first year, but extensive cracking patterns or cracks through the bricks themselves (not just the mortar) need to be documented.

Fascia, soffits, and trim. Check for gaps where trim meets the wall, paint that has already peeled or cracked, and soffits that have separated from the roofline. These are workmanship defects.

Roof

Flashing at chimneys, vents, and valleys. The metal flashing that seals roof penetrations is the most common source of roof leaks in new builds. From the ground with binoculars, look for flashing that has lifted, gaps in the sealant, or rust spots. Submit any concerns for a professional inspection under warranty.

Shingle condition. Shingles should lie flat with no lifting, cupping, or missing sections. Granule loss in the first year indicates a manufacturing defect or installation damage.

Gutters and downspouts. Confirm gutters are securely fastened and slope toward the downspouts. Downspouts should discharge water well away from the foundation. Poorly installed gutters are a warranty item.

Plumbing, HVAC, and Electrical

Drains. Run water in every sink, tub, and shower. Slow drainage in a new home is almost always an installation issue — insufficient drain slope or construction debris in the lines.

Toilet operation. Flush every toilet and confirm the fill valve shuts off within 30 seconds.

Water heater. Confirm the temperature and pressure relief valve is connected to a discharge pipe. Check for moisture around the base. Note the installation date — this starts the manufacturer's warranty.

HVAC airflow. With the system running, stand in every room and confirm air is flowing from supply registers. A room with no airflow may have a disconnected or crushed duct — a common construction defect that is expensive to fix once walls are enclosed but fully covered under the two-year systems warranty.

GFCI protection. Every outlet in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and exterior locations must be GFCI-protected. Test each by pressing the test and reset buttons. Missing protection is a code violation and a warranty item.

All outlets and switches. Plug a device into every outlet to confirm it is live. Operate every light switch to confirm it controls the correct circuit.

Interior

Drywall and ceilings. Look for nail pops, visible seams, corner bead cracks, and tape bubbling. Some settling cracks are expected in year one, but widespread cracking or any crack that runs diagonally from window corners may indicate structural movement.

Doors and windows. Every interior and exterior door should latch without lifting or pushing. Windows should open, close, and lock smoothly. Gaps at the frame, drafts you can feel, or fogging between double-pane glass are all warranty items.

Flooring. Walk every floor slowly. Listen for squeaks, feel for soft spots, and look for tiles that have cracked or grout that has separated within the first year. Hollow-sounding tiles indicate improper adhesive coverage.

Mould and moisture. Inspect bathroom caulk lines, window edges, and any below-grade spaces for early mould growth. In a new build, mould in year one typically indicates a construction moisture issue — wet framing lumber, inadequate vapour barriers, or ventilation failures.

How to Submit Your Warranty Claim

Document every defect with dated photographs before your inspection appointment. Submit a written list organized by location — exterior, roof, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and room by room — even if your builder's process involves a verbal walkthrough. When the builder agrees to repair items, get the scope in writing, then re-inspect after completion.

If your builder disputes coverage, your warranty documents specify the resolution process. Many structural warranties are administered through third-party providers with their own procedures.

Most new homeowners assume a new build is maintenance-free for several years. In reality, the first year establishes the condition of the home for everything that follows. A thorough warranty inspection in month eleven is one of the highest-value activities a new homeowner can do — the potential repairs it captures are paid for entirely by the builder rather than by you.

The Home Maintenance Guide includes a first-year tracking system covering what to document from day one, how to identify warranty-covered defects versus normal settling, and how to build a maintenance routine from the start.