New construction ·
Your month-11 builder warranty checklist
Many builders include a one-year workmanship warranty on a new home. The small stuff that shows up in that first year is easy to live with and forget. Month 11 is when you walk the house and get it on record before the year runs out.
Your builder's warranty document controls what's covered, for how long and how to file. Read it first. This checklist is a general guide for what to look at.
Before you start
- Find your warranty document and the builder's warranty request instructions.
- Pull up any requests you already filed and note which are still open.
- Take photos as you go. A photo with a short note is easier to file than a memory.
Inside the house
- Drywall cracks, nail pops and corner bead separating, especially above doors and windows
- Doors that stick, swing open on their own or don't latch
- Cabinet doors and drawers that are out of line
- Grout and caulk gaps in showers, tubs, backsplashes and around sinks
- Flooring that's lifting, separating or squeaking
- Faucets, toilets and drains: drips, slow drains and running toilets
- Windows that are hard to open or lock, and fogging between panes
- Rooms that heat or cool unevenly, and noisy vents
- Outlets, switches and fixtures that don't work
Outside the house
- Exterior caulk and paint around windows, doors and trim
- Cracks in the driveway, walkways or patio
- Yard drainage: standing water after a rain, or water flowing toward the house
- Gutters and downspouts directing water away from the foundation
- Fence boards and gates
- Garage door operation and weather stripping
- Sprinkler heads and zones, if your home has a system
How to file
- Put it in writing. Use the builder's warranty portal or written request process, and keep a copy.
- One item per line with a photo. Clear, short descriptions get handled faster.
- Note the date you filed. If an item is still open near the end of the warranty period, your written request shows it was reported on time.
- Follow up on what's open. Track each item until it's marked done.
My month-11 reminder
If you bought a new build with me, you get a reminder about a month before your first-year warranty ends so this walk doesn't slip. If you didn't and want a second set of eyes on your list, text me at (512) 661-9216.
More on how I work new builds: New construction buyer representation.