Your builder warranty is about to expire.

Protect your investment

Why the 11-month mark matters.

During the first year in a newly built home, the structure settles, systems run through their first full heating and cooling cycles, and materials respond to seasonal changes for the first time. Issues that weren't visible at the final walkthrough begin to reveal themselves — nail pops in drywall, minor foundation settling cracks, grading that has shifted as fill material compacts, caulking that has separated around windows and trim. These are normal occurrences in new construction, and they're exactly the kind of items your builder's warranty is designed to cover.

The problem is timing. Once the one-year warranty period ends, these repairs become your responsibility. An inspection at the 11-month mark gives you a comprehensive, documented list of every warrantable item — submitted to your builder with enough time to schedule repairs before the coverage window closes.

What Gio evaluates during a warranty inspection

• Foundation and structure: Settling cracks, gaps at framing transitions, and any signs of uneven settlement after the first year
• Grading and drainage: Whether the lot still directs water away from the foundation — fill material compaction frequently changes drainage patterns in the first year
• HVAC performance: Verifying that heating and cooling output is consistent across all zones and that the system operates without unusual noise or cycling issues
• Plumbing: Checking for slow drains, fixture leaks, water pressure issues, and water heater performance after a full year of use
• Electrical: Testing outlets, GFCI and arc-fault protection, and panel connections for any loosened terminations from thermal cycling
• Windows and doors: Checking for seal failures, condensation between panes, hardware issues, and weatherstripping gaps that developed after settling
• Exterior envelope: Evaluating caulking, flashing, siding, and trim for separation or wear that occurred during the first year of weather exposure
• Drywall and finishes: Documenting nail pops, tape seam cracks, and other cosmetic settling issues covered under workmanship warranties

What you get

The same-day written report documents every finding with photos and descriptions formatted clearly enough to submit directly to your builder's warranty department. Many homeowners simply forward the report as their formal warranty claim — it serves as both the discovery tool and the documentation.

When to schedule

Schedule at the 11-month mark — one month before your warranty expires. This gives the builder time to schedule and complete repairs within the warranty window. If you're past 11 months but still within the warranty period, call Gio directly. He can often accommodate a fast turnaround to get the inspection done before your coverage ends.