11 Month Warranty Checklist: 100 Things to Inspect Before Your Builder Warranty Expires

Steve Bergeman

Oct 13

8 min read

The 11th month in a new home can sneak up fast. One day the house still feels brand new, and the next you are close to the end of the builder’s one-year warranty period.

That last month matters. Small cracks, sticky doors, slow drains, loose fixtures, and HVAC issues often show up after the home has lived through a few seasons. The goal is not to nitpick normal wear. It is to document defects, unfinished work, and warranty-covered issues before the builder’s deadline passes.

Use this 11 Month Warranty Checklist as a room-by-room and system-by-system guide. Walk the home slowly, take photos, write down locations, and submit one organized warranty request instead of scattered messages.

Wide-angle view of a new home exterior during a warranty inspection. — Start outside and work your way through the home in a consistent order.

Before You Start the 11-Month Inspection

Give yourself enough time. A full inspection can take several hours, especially if you check every outlet, window, door, drain, and fixture.

Bring a few simple tools:

Flashlight
Painter’s tape
Notepad or inspection app
Phone or camera
Outlet tester
Level
Measuring tape
Step stool
Warranty documents
Blueprints or floor plan, if available

Mark cosmetic items with painter’s tape only if the builder allows it. Take clear photos from two distances: one close-up and one wider shot that shows the room or location.

Submit claims in writing before the warranty deadline, and keep a copy of every email, form, photo, and response.

Exterior, Lot, and Drainage

Start outside because water problems often begin there. Look after rain if possible.

#	Inspect	What to look for
1	Grading around foundation	Soil should slope away from the house.
2	Low spots in the yard	Watch for standing water after rain.
3	Foundation cracks	Note cracks that widen, shift, or leak.
4	Exterior concrete	Check driveways, patios, porches, and walkways for cracking or sinking.
5	Expansion joints	Look for missing sealant or wide gaps.
6	Porch steps	Confirm steps feel solid and even.
7	Decks and railings	Check for wobble, loose boards, and poor drainage.
8	Exterior stairs	Look for uneven treads or loose handrails.
9	Retaining walls	Check for leaning, bulging, or separation.
10	Landscape drainage	Make sure mulch, rock, or edging does not trap water against the home.

Roof, Gutters, and Attic

Do not climb on the roof unless you can do so safely. Many issues can be spotted from the ground, attic, or with binoculars.

#	Inspect	What to look for
11	Roof shingles	Look for missing, lifted, curled, or damaged shingles.
12	Flashing	Check around chimneys, vents, and roof intersections.
13	Gutters	Confirm gutters are secure and pitched toward downspouts.
14	Downspouts	Make sure water discharges away from the foundation.
15	Roof vents	Look for loose, blocked, or damaged vents.
16	Soffits	Check for gaps, stains, or pests entering.
17	Fascia boards	Look for cracks, swelling, or peeling paint.
18	Attic leaks	Check for water stains after rain.
19	Attic ventilation	Look for blocked vents or heavy condensation.
20	Attic insulation	Check for missing, thin, compressed, or uneven insulation.

Close-up view of attic insulation and roof framing during a home inspection. — Attic checks can reveal roof leaks, ventilation issues, and insulation gaps.

Siding, Trim, Paint, and Masonry

Exterior finishes protect the structure. Gaps and failed caulk can let water in.

#	Inspect	What to look for
21	Siding panels	Look for buckling, gaps, cracks, or loose pieces.
22	Brick or stone veneer	Check for cracks, loose units, or missing mortar.
23	Stucco	Look for cracking, staining, or bulging areas.
24	Exterior trim	Check for separation, swelling, or poor fastening.
25	Caulking	Look around windows, doors, penetrations, and trim joints.
26	Exterior paint	Note peeling, blistering, thin coverage, or missed areas.
27	Hose bibs	Make sure they are secure and do not leak.
28	Exterior outlets	Test GFCI protection and weather covers.
29	Exterior lights	Confirm all lights work and are properly mounted.
30	Utility penetrations	Check gaps around pipes, wires, vents, and meters.

Doors, Windows, and Garage

Seasonal movement can make openings shift. Test every door and window, not just the ones used daily.

#	Inspect	What to look for
31	Front door	Check sticking, gaps, drafts, and hardware alignment.
32	Interior doors	Confirm they latch, swing, and stay open or closed properly.
33	Door frames	Look for cracked trim, separation, or uneven reveals.
34	Weatherstripping	Check for light, air, or water intrusion.
35	Windows	Open, close, lock, and unlock each one.
36	Window screens	Look for tears, loose frames, or missing screens.
37	Window glass	Check for cracks, scratches, or failed seals.
38	Garage door	Test smooth operation, noise, balance, and seals.
39	Garage opener	Test remotes, wall button, keypad, and safety reverse.
40	Garage slab	Look for excessive cracking, settlement, or water entry.

Interior Walls, Ceilings, Floors, and Stairs

Cosmetic flaws often appear as the home settles. Some small drywall cracks are common, but they should still be documented if they are notable.

#	Inspect	What to look for
41	Drywall seams	Look for visible seams, tape bubbles, or nail pops.
42	Ceiling cracks	Note cracks near corners, beams, and stair openings.
43	Wall cracks	Track length, width, and location.
44	Paint finish	Check missed spots, uneven sheen, drips, or flashing.
45	Baseboards	Look for gaps, loose pieces, or poor caulking.
46	Crown molding	Check separation and uneven joints.
47	Tile floors	Tap for hollow sounds and look for cracked grout.
48	Hardwood or engineered flooring	Check cupping, gaps, squeaks, and loose boards.
49	Carpet	Look for wrinkles, loose seams, stains, or tack strip issues.
50	Stairs	Check squeaks, loose treads, loose rails, and uneven risers.

Eye-level view of an interior hallway with painter’s tape marking drywall defects. — Painter’s tape helps track defects, but photos and notes are still essential.

Kitchen, Bathrooms, and Laundry

Wet areas deserve extra attention. Leaks behind cabinets or under fixtures can cause hidden damage.

#	Inspect	What to look for
51	Kitchen cabinets	Check alignment, loose doors, soft-close operation, and finish damage.
52	Countertops	Look for cracks, chips, seam gaps, or loose sections.
53	Backsplash	Check cracked tile, missing grout, or poor caulking.
54	Kitchen sink	Run water and check under the cabinet for leaks.
55	Garbage disposal	Test operation, vibration, drainage, and leaks.
56	Dishwasher	Run a cycle and check mounting, drainage, and leaks.
57	Bathroom vanities	Look for loose tops, leaks, and cabinet damage.
58	Toilets	Check rocking, flushing, leaks, and caulk at the base.
59	Tubs and showers	Look for cracked grout, failed caulk, slow drainage, and leaks.
60	Laundry hookups	Check valves, drain box, vent connection, and floor condition.

Plumbing and Water Systems

Test fixtures one at a time, then several at once. This helps reveal pressure or drainage issues.

#	Inspect	What to look for
61	Water pressure	Check weak flow or sudden pressure drops.
62	Hot water delivery	Note long delays or inconsistent temperature.
63	Water heater	Look for leaks, corrosion, error lights, and proper discharge pipe.
64	Main water shutoff	Confirm it is accessible and labeled.
65	Supply lines	Check under sinks and at toilets for moisture.
66	Drain traps	Look for leaks, loose fittings, or odors.
67	Sewer cleanouts	Confirm access is not buried or blocked.
68	Sump pump	Test operation if the home has one.
69	Water softener loop	Check installation if promised in the contract.
70	Exterior drainage pipes	Look for crushed, blocked, or poorly placed discharge points.

Electrical, Lighting, and Low-Voltage Systems

Use an outlet tester for basic checks. For exposed wiring, repeated breaker trips, or burning smells, contact the builder right away and use a licensed electrician when needed.

#	Inspect	What to look for
71	Outlets	Test each outlet for power and proper wiring.
72	GFCI outlets	Test kitchen, bath, garage, laundry, basement, and exterior outlets.
73	AFCI breakers	Test where installed according to the panel instructions.
74	Light switches	Confirm each switch controls the correct fixture.
75	Light fixtures	Check flickering, loose mounts, and missing parts.
76	Ceiling fans	Test speed, wobble, noise, and direction control.
77	Electrical panel	Check labeling, access, and signs of moisture or heat.
78	Doorbell	Test button, chime, and camera connection if included.
79	Data and cable outlets	Confirm plates are installed and connections work where expected.
80	Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms	Test alarms and confirm proper placement.

HVAC, Ventilation, and Comfort

Heating and cooling issues may not show up until the home has gone through hot and cold weather. Note room-by-room comfort problems.

#	Inspect	What to look for
81	Thermostat	Test heating, cooling, schedules, and Wi-Fi if included.
82	Furnace or air handler	Listen for unusual noise and check for error codes.
83	Air conditioner	Check cooling performance, vibration, and exterior unit clearance.
84	Air filters	Confirm correct size and easy access.
85	Supply registers	Make sure air flows from each vent.
86	Return vents	Check blockage, noise, and filter fit.
87	Ductwork	Look for disconnected, crushed, or poorly sealed ducts where visible.
88	Bath exhaust fans	Test airflow and noise.
89	Dryer vent	Confirm strong airflow outside and a clear termination.
90	Room temperature balance	Note rooms that stay much hotter or colder than others.

Close-up view of a hand testing airflow at a ceiling vent in a new home. — Uneven airflow is easier to document when you check every room.

Appliances, Safety, and Final Documentation

Finish with items that are easy to forget. Then organize the claim so the builder can understand and respond.

#	Inspect	What to look for
91	Range or cooktop	Test burners, ignition, level, and ventilation.
92	Oven	Check heating, door seal, racks, and display.
93	Microwave	Test operation, light, fan, and mounting.
94	Refrigerator space	Check water line, outlet, cabinet clearance, and door swing.
95	Range hood	Test light, fan speeds, and exterior venting if applicable.
96	Fireplace	Test ignition, blower, remote, and visible finish issues.
97	Handrails and guardrails	Confirm they feel secure throughout the home.
98	Attic access panel	Check fit, insulation, weatherstripping, and ladder operation if included.
99	Warranty documents	Gather appliance manuals, model numbers, and builder paperwork.
100	Punch list follow-up	Compare your original closing punch list with completed repairs.

How to Submit Your Warranty List

A strong warranty request is clear, organized, and easy to verify. Avoid vague descriptions like “floor problem” or “bathroom issue.” Give the builder the exact location and what you observed.

A useful entry looks like this:

Primary bathroom, left sink cabinet

Water drips from the drain trap when the faucet runs for more than 30 seconds. Photo attached.

Before submitting, sort the list by area of the home. Group related issues together, such as all windows, all plumbing items, or all drywall items. Attach photos with file names that match the issue number if possible.

Keep the tone factual. The goal is to get the repair scheduled, not to argue every detail up front.

What to Do After the Builder Responds

When the builder schedules a repair, ask what trade will arrive and what areas they need to access. Clear cabinets, closets, attic openings, and mechanical spaces before the appointment.

After each repair, check the work before signing off. For example:

Run water again after a plumbing repair.
Open and close a repaired door or window.
Look at paint touch-ups in daylight.
Test outlets, switches, fans, and appliances.
Take new photos of completed work.

Save all responses and repair records. If an issue returns later, that paper trail can help show that it was reported during the warranty period.

The Best 11-Month Inspection Is Organized and Unhurried

The builder warranty period is your chance to address defects while the home is still covered. Walk the property carefully, check every system, and write down what you find in plain language.

Start outside, move room by room, test every fixture, and document each issue with photos. A complete 100-item review gives you a better chance of catching problems before the warranty expires and helps the builder respond with fewer delays.