Published March 7, 2026
Warranty Inspection Before Your Builder Warranty Expires
If you purchased a new construction home in Rochester, your builder warranty is a valuable asset — but only if you use it before it expires. Most new home warranties have a one-year period for general workmanship and materials, with extended coverage for mechanical systems (two years) and structural components (ten years). Scheduling a professional warranty inspection before expiration can save you thousands in repair costs.
Why Warranty Inspections Matter
New homes are not perfect homes. Construction defects may not become apparent for months after move-in as the home goes through its first heating and cooling seasons. Rochester's dramatic temperature swings — from -20°F winters to 90°F summers — stress building components and reveal deficiencies that mild weather construction did not expose. A professional inspection at the 11-month mark catches issues while the builder is still obligated to repair them.
Common Warranty Claim Items
Our warranty inspections in Rochester's newer developments commonly identify drywall cracks from normal settlement that the builder should repair, grading and drainage issues that direct water toward the foundation, HVAC system balancing problems causing uneven heating and cooling, window seal failures, caulking gaps at exterior penetrations, and garage floor cracks beyond normal settlement tolerances.
The Inspection Process
We inspect the home as thoroughly as we would a pre-purchase inspection, but with specific attention to items covered by the builder warranty. Our report clearly identifies which findings fall under the warranty period, making it easy for you to submit a comprehensive claim list to your builder. Most Rochester builders have a formal warranty claim process, and a professional inspection report carries more weight than a homeowner's punch list.
Timing Your Warranty Inspection
Schedule your warranty inspection 2-3 months before the one-year anniversary of closing. This provides time for the inspection, the builder's review, and completion of repairs while still under warranty. For the two-year mechanical warranty, schedule around the 22-month mark.
Schedule Your Home Inspection Today
Trusted, thorough inspections for Rochester and SE Minnesota homebuyers.
Call (507) 721-0922