When you invest in a new home in Colorado, you’re not just buying walls, windows, and flooring — you’re buying peace of mind. Most builders include a one-year warranty with their new homes. But what happens if issues begin showing up just after you move in? At LOOK Property Inspection, based in Colorado, I believe the smartest home-buyers use that warranty proactively — and that’s where an 11-month inspection comes in.
Near the end of your builder’s one-year warranty (that crucial 11th month), it’s the ideal time to bring in a professional for a thorough inspection. Why? Because this is your final window to catch issues and bring them to your builder while the warranty still applies. In other words: you’re protecting your investment.
Why an 11-Month Inspection Matters
New homes carry many advantages, but they also carry hidden risks: settling foundations, finishing trim that may shift, plumbing fittings that might leak, HVAC systems that may begin to reveal issues. If a problem pops up just after your builder’s warranty expires, you could end up responsible for repair costs — and that simply doesn’t need to happen.
By scheduling a professional inspection in that 11th month, you give yourself a buffer: you’re identifying defects or deficiencies before you lose warranty leverage. At LOOK Property Inspection, we view this as an ounce of prevention that’s absolutely worth a pound of cure. (It’s the mindset we bring into every inspection.)
What I (We) Examine During the Inspection
When you hire LOOK Property Inspection for your 11-month warranty inspection, you get a deep dive into your home’s condition. Some of what we check carefully includes:
- Structural components: walls, floors, foundation for signs of settling, cracking, or shifting.
- Roofing, flashing and gutters to make sure they’re performing correctly and protecting your home.
- Exterior siding and trim: checking for gaps, moisture intrusion or finishes that may fail prematurely.
- Interior systems like plumbing, HVAC, electrical — looking for leaks, poor performance, or unusual wear.
- Moisture issues: crawl spaces, basements, attics — any spot where nature can sneak in.
- Doors, windows, finishes: are they operating smoothly? properly sealed? Any deficiencies needing builder attention?
After we complete the inspection, you receive a detailed report. This report becomes your document to forward to your builder’s warranty department. We make sure to clearly identify issues so you have the clarity and leverage to ask for repairs or replacements under warranty.
The Timing Is Key
Why the 11th month? Because if you wait until the last day of your one-year warranty the builder may be inundated with requests—or worse, issues might escalate. By proactively scheduling the inspection in month 11, you give yourself breathing room, and you give the builder time to respond and address your concerns. At LOOK Property Inspection, we help you schedule at the right time so you have that leverage.
Your Advantage as a Homeowner
When you bring in an inspector for your 11-month check, you’re making a strong move: “I care about this home. I’m taking responsibility. I want to fully use the warranty I paid for.” That initiative does two things: it protects you financially (avoiding surprise repair costs), and it helps preserve the value of your home over time. A home kept in good condition is more attractive, easier to maintain, and less likely to surprise you later.
Moreover, the report you get is not just for you—it can serve as clear documentation if you ever sell the home and want to show prospective buyers that you proactively maintained the property and used the warranty wisely.
Why Choose LOOK Property Inspection
When you schedule the 11-month inspection with us, you’re getting more than a checklist. You’re getting:
- A professional, experienced inspector treating your home like his own.
- A detailed report delivered in a timely fashion—ready for you to share with your builder.
- Clear, friendly communication and responsive scheduling.
- A commitment to your peace of mind.
We believe in doing things right and giving you confidence in your home, not leaving you worried about hidden surprises or missed opportunities.
Next Steps
Think of the 11-month inspection as an investment in your home’s longevity. We encourage you to schedule it now, before the warranty window starts to close. Let’s identify issues while you still have leverage, and let’s do it proactively. If you’re in Colorado and your new home’s builder warranty is nearing its end, give LOOK Property Inspection a call. Your peace of mind is just a click or call away.
FAQ – 11-Month Warranty Inspections
Q: What’s the difference between a regular home inspection and an 11-month warranty inspection?
A: A standard home inspection is often done when buying a home, or after a period of occupancy. An 11-month warranty inspection is specifically scheduled near the end of the builder’s one-year warranty, with the aim of identifying issues while the builder’s coverage is still active.
Q: When should I schedule my inspection?
A: Ideally in the 11th month of your builder’s one-year warranty period. That gives you a buffer to identify issues and have them addressed before the warranty expires.
Q: How detailed is the report?
A: The report from LOOK Property Inspection includes detailed findings of defects or deficiencies, photo documentation where appropriate, and clear language to help you present the issues to your builder’s warranty department.
Q: Will the builder be obligated to fix everything I find?
A: Builders typically have their own warranty policies—they don’t automatically have to fix every issue you identify. But by presenting a professionally documented inspection during the active warranty window, you significantly increase your chances of having repairs addressed under warranty.
Q: What happens if I wait until after the warranty expires?
A: If you wait until after the one-year warranty ends, you lose most of your builder’s obligation to cover repairs. At that point, any issues you find will likely become your financial responsibility.