One-Year New Home Warranty Inspection 101

A one-year new home warranty inspection is an important aspect of building or buying a new home. A one-year new home warranty provided by builders of new homes may cover repairs or replacement of several systems or specific appliances in the home. In order to take full advantage of this warranty, it is prudent to get the home inspected by a professional before the warranty expires. There are several features of the one-year new home warranty inspection process you should know about.

What is a One Year New Home Warranty Inspection?

Most builders will guarantee a certain number of repairs or adjustments within the first year. In order to take advantage of the One Year Warranty, homeowners should get a home inspection to access the need of repairs. The following explains exactly what a one-year new home warranty inspection is and who conducts the inspection:

• Who Conducts the Inspection? - A qualified home inspector should conduct the inspection. You'll want to ask potential inspectors several questions, including what credentials and training they have.
• Who is Responsible for Scheduling the Inspection? - It's the homeowner's responsibility to schedule and make sure the inspection takes place before the warranty expires.
• When is the Best Time to Get this Done? - If your warranty is for one year, you'll want to get an inspection done at the start of the eleventh month. Call at least a month before to make sure an inspector can schedule your inspection in that time frame.
• How Much Does It Cost? - This depends on many factors including square footage of the house, location and how many appliances are in the home. Most inspections will average about $400 for a 2,000 square foot home. Your inspector may also offer packages that include savings when you add additional ancillary services, such as Sewer Scope, Radon Testing, Mold Inspection, and more.

What's Included in this Inspection?

An inspector will typically examine the performance of appliances, plumbing, and septic systems. They will also look for safety hazards in several areas in the home such as faulty electrical wiring or drainage problems. The following are a few specific areas that are normally included in a home inspection list, where accessible and safe to do so:

• Plumbing Systems - This includes faucets, laundry connections, water heaters, and exterior hoses. The inspector will look to see if any dripping or leaking is occurring.
• Electrical Work - An inspector will want to examine panel and sub-panel boxes. Breakers, fuses, most outlets and switches are also included.
• Floors & Lighting - An inspector will look to see if there are any gaps between walls and floors, if the floors are uneven, or if nails are sticking out anywhere. They may inspect windows along each wall as well.
• Roofs & Gutters - An inspector will usually check the roof during an inspection when accessible and safe to do so. There are certain exceptions that include an extremely high or steep roof, or if weather conditions pose dangers.
• Foundation & Drainage - This portion of the inspection would include the foundation and the drainage area around the foundation. An inspector looks for things such as cracks or draining problems.
• Fireplaces & Decks - If your home has any fireplaces or decks, a home inspector will want to examine these areas. They'll look for cracks, leaks, and wood that is bowing on decks.
• Major Appliances - An inspector will check items such as ovens, ranges, microwaves, dishwashers, dryer vents, and garage door openers. Specific checks might include verifying that the oven doesn’t heat too quickly, and that the dishwasher doesn’t have any leaks.

Why is it Important?

After you’ve lived in a home for 10 or 11 months, you may think that the problems and needed repairs are obvious. However, a trained inspector will see things that many homeowners will not. Making sure your home is properly inspected is important for several specific reasons:

• Necessary Repairs Are Often Included in the Home Warranty - Waiting a few months or even a few weeks might result in your warranty expiring and repairs not being covered by the one-year new home warranty inspection.
• It's Cost-Effective - There are several types of home repairs that are often extremely costly. Roof repairs, septic tank repairs, and problems with the foundation are a few examples that can potentially cost thousands of dollars to fix.
• A Trained Inspector Will See Things Average Homeowners Miss - Structural defects, cracks in the roof, and insufficient insulation are items that people often don't see when inspecting their homes themselves.

What Should I Do to Prepare My Home? 

You'll want the one-year new home warranty inspection process to run as smoothly as possible. There are several steps that you’ll need to take such as cleaning and arranging access to prepare your home for an inspection.

• Provide Clear Access to All Home Systems and Appliances - Try to move heavy furniture that is in front of electrical outlets out of the way. Make sure the basement, the attic or any crawl spaces are easily accessible. Trim any necessary bushes and make sure there is a clear path around the exterior of the home.
• Thoroughly Clean the Home – Do a walk-through of your home and remove as much clutter and nonessential items as possible. You want an inspector to be able to move freely in the house when doing the examination. Turn on lights and ceiling fans so an inspector can see them working.
• Label the Fuse Box - An inspector can complete the job more quickly and effectively if you correctly label the fuse box. Make sure the labeling is accurate and the words are large enough to clearly read.

How Can WIN Home Inspection Help?

WIN Home Inspection offers the highest level of quality service and professionalism. Since 1993, WIN Home Inspection continues to provide quality inspection services, home building and buyer consultations, and is your one-stop shop for home inspection and ancillary services. You'll want to schedule an inspection between 30 and 60 days from the time the one-year new home warranty expires.

Don't put off your one-year new home warranty inspection. Whether you're buying a new home or updating an already-constructed home, you'll want experienced home inspectors to look for safety hazards and provide a home inspection report. Contact WIN Home Inspection today for more information.