New Construction Phase Inspections & Warranty Inspections

*Get 25% off your 11th month warranty inspection when you hire us fpr phase inspections!*

When building a new home, you have the unique opportunity to witness the construction process from start to finish. This allows you and your home inspector to review most of the components of the house that will be inaccessible after the home is completed. 

In recent years, phase inspections have become a standard practice for the informed home buyer.

And we’ll give you a 25% discount on your 11th month warranty inspection if we’ve done your phase inspections!

What is a home warranty inspection?

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 home warranties are very specific about what they cover. 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 simple omissions. You may have taken care of the obvious defects. Appliances that do not function correctly and cosmetic issues are two of the most common and most noticed. You may not be aware, however, of those things that may have simply been forgotten or overlooked during construction. Your new heating bill may suffer from insufficient or missing insulation. Unfinished crawl spaces may lack appropriate vapor barriers or an outlet or two that you have not yet needed may simply not have been hooked up. Improper wiring, small exterior openings where moisture seeps in, and poor drainage are among the most common unnoticed problems. Over time, hidden defects cause substantial damage and unnecessary expenses to homes. Improper drainage can damage foundations, leading to structural problems. Small exterior leaks can lead to wood rot, mold, or termites.

Unfortunately, many of these these problems are often not apparent by simply living in the house. By the time they become evident, either your warranty has expired or you’re into limited coverage and deductibles. If you have an inspection performed before the one-year warranty has expired, the builder can repair any defects discovered by the inspection under warranty. Documenting potential problems and obtaining repairs during the first year is much simpler than seeking recourse later. We call this an “11-Month Warranty Inspection,” because it should be done prior to the one-year “walk-through” conducted by your builder.

Several years ago, Mark conducted an 11th month warranty inspection and found that the 3-car garage floor had completely buckled and was sunken in. Because the homeowners had the inspection done, they had the $5,000 repair completed at no cost to them – the warranty company paid for it!

Strengthen Your Position

Documenting the condition of your home with an independent inspector gives you leverage when your builder conducts the one-year “walk-through.” It will also give you a legal advantage in the event repairs are not completed satisfactorily.

Why does a new house need an inspection?

Building a new home is a tremendously complex endeavor. It involves many people, with various sub-contractors working on different parts and systems of the house. Even for the best builders, it’s nearly impossible to complete this process without missing something. Sometimes a plumbing fixture doesn’t get tested for leaks, or an electrical box isn’t working, or another minor problem is overlooked. A home inspection will find such problems while it is still early enough for you to bring them up with the builder and have them corrected. For a small fraction of what you paid for your new home, a professional inspection can pay dividends in peace of mind and in helping to identify and correct minor problems before they can become major ones.