Tag Archive for: real estate

What Is An 11-Month Warranty Inspection?

 

What’s the deal with the “11-Month” inspection? I thought there were 12 months in a year. Or is this just the classic case of “11” being one louder than “10”?

 

Oh, I’m sorry – I didn’t see you there.

What Is The 11-Month Warranty Inspection?

So the 11-month – or 11th Month – inspection is also known as a Warranty Inspection which is the builder’s warranty of a new construction home that covers you for the first year of the house. This inspection is typically done one month before it expires so that you have an opportunity to get a thorough inspection and have enough time to partner with your realtor to make a claim if needed. Have the inspection too soon and you risk not catching something that comes up last minute (like all warranty-covered defects, right?!). Have the inspection too late and you won’t have enough time make a claim.

 

What Is The Difference From A Typical Home Inspection?

None. At least, not here at Wilson + Sons. For one, not all warranties are created equal. And since we don’t have a catalog of the world’s collection of warranties to create a custom inspection for each occasion, we just inspect the whole house in accordance with the standards of practice set forth by the state of NC or SC and by InterNACHI. Most warranties don’t cover landscaping, appliances, or holes in the drywall that you punched out of anger because the dog pooped on the 5-year-old’s bed. Many warranties do cover cosmetic defects as a result of poor workmanship, siding, electrical system hazards, and major structural defects like a sagging roof. Different builders will have different amounts and extents of coverage, so you will need to be familiar with your warranty.

The other reason our warranty inspection is not trimmed or abbreviated is because a lot can happen to a house in a year. Even if there are things that aren’t covered by your builder’s warranty, you need to know the health of your home and be able to plan accordingly. In all good conscience, we could not allow a defect to go unreported just because it’s not part of your warranty. That’s not how we roll.

We also provide the same perks and services with an 11-month warranty inspection as buyer’s inspection such as free short-term Sewer Guard coverage for your sewer line (which covers you for longer when you get a sewer line inspection from us), and a free lifetime Home Binder account which includes things like automatic recall checks and maintenance reminders. We can also check your water quality and see what type of filtration you may benefit from. Air quality testing is also available to you to inspect for the presence of radon gas or mold.

 

Next Steps:

If you purchased a new construction home in the past year, partner with your real estate agent to schedule a warranty inspection. You can do this whole thing without an agent, but your realtor will be a huge help to you when making a claim.

  • Schedule the inspection with us online and click on the box for 11-Month Warranty Inspection;
  • Let us know what concerns you have or things that you have noticed. Except for poltergeists – we aren’t licensed for hauntings;
  • Understand your builder’s warranty and what is eligible for a claim. Here is some good info on builder’s warranties from the Federal Trade Commission;
  • Go over your report with your agent and follow the builder’s process for claims;
  • Budget and plan for repairs that are not covered by your warranty;
  • Check your email for the Home Binder account and set it up!
  • Call us next year for a home maintenance inspection.

 

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How To Inspect + Maintain Your Home Air Conditioning

At the start of each cooling season, a licensed professional should perform inspection of the Air Conditioning System. However, homeowners can do a lot of this work themselves.
 
Clean the Exterior Condenser Unit & Components
That large box on the outside of your home is the condenser unit. It is designed to move warm air from inside the home to the exterior. Coils of pipe are surrounded by thousands of tiny metal fins that allow the coils more surface area to exchange heat. Power off the unit and follow these tips:
 
Remove any debris from the unit’s exterior and trim back any vegetation several feet for proper airflow.
 
Remove the grill cover to clean out any debris from the interior – you can use a garden hose.
 
Straighten out bent fins with a fin comb.
 
Add lubricating oil to the motor – check your owner’s manual for instructions.
 
Clean the evaporator coil and condenser coil – again, see your owner’s manual.
 
Replace the insulation on the refrigerant line if corroded or beginning to deteriorate.
 
 

Other tips include:

  • Inspect & clean the condensate line. If equipped with a secondary line, a clogged primary line will be evidenced by water coming out of the secondary line which may be connected to the overflow pan under the interior unit (air handler). If you don’t know where either of your condensate lines terminates, ask the technician when you schedule a routine tune-up. For systems with a condensate pump, clean the pump according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Replace the air filter once per month, or wash if reusable. Most households need to replace their air filter at least once per month, even for the filters that claim to be “90-day” air filters. Some units will have a washable filter at the main duct line that connects to the air handler. Clean according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Be sure to deactivate the cooling system in the winter. If you have a heat pump, this is especially important. If activated when the outside temperature is below 60 degrees F, the compressor can be damaged. You can also cover the outside unit during the cold months when it’s not in use to keep out debris and to further protect it from the elements.
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