Buying a brand-new home in Dane County is exciting. Everything is fresh, the systems are new, and you finally get to make the space your own. But new doesn’t mean perfect. Construction is complex, and some issues only show up after a home has been lived in through a few seasons. That’s where an 11 month home inspection comes in.
HomeStart performs 11-month warranty inspections for new-build owners across the Madison area. Schedule online or call (608) 609-0369 to book yours.
What Is an 11 Month Home Inspection?
Many builders include a one-year warranty on workmanship and materials. An 11-month inspection is a full, independent inspection scheduled shortly before that warranty period ends. The goal is simple: find defects while the builder is still responsible for fixing them, and document them so you can submit a clear warranty request.
Warranty terms vary by builder, so read yours carefully. Note the exact end date, what’s covered, and how claims must be submitted.
Why New Homes Still Have Issues
Even good builders work with many crews and tight schedules. Small things get missed, and some problems only appear after the house goes through its first heating and cooling cycles. In south central Wisconsin, a home’s first winter and spring can be revealing: freeze-thaw cycles, snowmelt and heavy rain put grading, drainage, roofing and the building envelope to the test.
New homes also settle. Some minor cracking is normal, but an inspector can help you sort cosmetic issues from ones that deserve a closer look.
What an 11-Month Inspection Covers
It’s a full evaluation of the home, the same scope as a standard home inspection. Areas that often get extra attention in newer homes include:
- Grading and drainage: soil that has settled toward the foundation, downspouts that discharge too close to the house
- Foundation and basement: cracks, dampness and sump pump operation
- Roof and attic: missing or loose shingles, flashing details, ventilation, insulation coverage and bath fans that vent properly
- Windows and doors: sticking, drafts, failed seals and flashing
- Electrical: panel labeling, outlets, GFCI and AFCI protection where present
- Plumbing: leaks under sinks, water heater installation, drainage
- HVAC: operation, condensate drainage, and exterior equipment placement
- Interior finishes: drywall cracks, nail pops, flooring and trim gaps
Thermal Imaging on a New Build
Thermal imaging can be especially useful on newer homes. It can help point to missing insulation, air leaks around windows and doors, and areas that may be damp. HomeStart offers thermal imaging, and our inspectors use it with a visual inspection to decide where to look more closely. If moisture comes up, our guide to the signs of mold when buying a house explains what to watch for.
When to Schedule
Book around month 10 or 11, early enough to receive your report and submit your warranty request before the deadline. HomeStart publishes reports the same day as the inspection, which gives you more time to organize your claim.
How to Use Your Report With the Builder
- Review the report and note items you believe fall under warranty.
- Submit a written request following your builder’s process, with photos from the report.
- Keep copies of everything, including dates and responses.
- Follow up on repairs and confirm they were completed.
Your inspector documents conditions. Whether an item is covered is up to your warranty terms and your builder.
Other Tests Worth Considering
New construction can still have elevated radon. Testing is the only way to know. See our guide to radon testing in Madison, WI or book radon testing with your inspection. A sewer scope can also catch construction debris or damage in a new sewer line, as explained in our sewer scope guide.
New Construction Around Madison
New neighborhoods keep growing across the area. If you bought new in Sun Prairie, Verona, Fitchburg, Middleton or Madison, an 11-month inspection is a smart way to protect your investment.
Related reading: How to Choose a Home Inspection in Madison, WI.
Common 11-Month Findings Owners Ask About
Every home is different, so there’s no standard list of what an 11-month inspection will find. Owners often ask about these categories:
Settling and Drywall Cracks
New lumber dries and the house settles during its first year. Hairline drywall cracks, nail pops and small gaps at trim are common and usually cosmetic. They’re still worth documenting, especially if your warranty covers drywall repairs. Wider cracks, doors that suddenly stick, or cracks that keep growing deserve a closer look.
Grading That Has Settled
Backfill around a new foundation often settles after the first year of rain and snowmelt. When soil sinks next to the house, water can be directed toward the foundation instead of away from it. This is one of the most important things to catch before the warranty ends, because drainage problems can lead to basement moisture down the road.
Roof and Attic Details
Missing shingles, exposed nails, loose flashing, and bath fans that end in the attic instead of venting outside can all happen on new construction. The attic is also a good place to check insulation coverage, since insulation can be disturbed by other trades after it’s installed. Our attic inspection guide covers what inspectors look for up there.
Exterior Penetrations
Every place a pipe, wire, vent or HVAC line passes through the exterior wall needs to be sealed. Inspectors look at these spots, along with siding, caulking and window flashing, for gaps that could let in water or air.
Tips for New-Build Owners
- Keep a running list of anything you notice during your first year.
- Find your builder’s warranty paperwork now, not in month 12.
- Take photos of issues when you first see them.
- Be home for the inspection if you can, so you can point out concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an 11 month home inspection?
An independent inspection of a newer home scheduled before the builder’s one-year warranty ends, so defects can be documented and submitted for repair.
Do I need an inspection if the home is new?
Many owners find it worthwhile. New homes can have construction defects or issues that appear after the first year of seasons.
When should I schedule it?
Around month 10 or 11, leaving enough time to submit a warranty request before the deadline.
Will the builder have to fix everything in the report?
Not necessarily. Coverage depends on your warranty terms. The report helps you document conditions clearly.
Can I add radon testing?
Yes. Radon testing can be added to your inspection.
Protect Your New Home Before the Warranty Ends
Catch issues while your builder is still responsible. HomeStart’s full-time inspectors are credentialed by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), certified through InterNACHI, and publish reports the same day. Schedule online or call (608) 609-0369, 8am–8pm, 7 days a week.
