The 11-Month New-Home Inspection: What to Review Before Year-One Coverage Ends
The short answer
An 11-month inspection is a deliberate, thorough review of your home roughly a month before year-one comprehensive warranty coverage ends. It's your last practical checkpoint to identify and formally report anything covered under that first, broadest warranty window.
Key takeaways
- Year-one comprehensive coverage is the broadest warranty window you'll have — use it before it closes.
- Scheduling this inspection around month 11 leaves enough time to report items before the deadline.
- It's worth doing a full walkthrough again, not just addressing the items you already know about.
- Many buyers hire an independent inspector for this specifically, separate from their pre-possession inspection.
- Report everything found in writing to your builder or warranty provider before the year-one deadline.
Why month eleven, specifically
Alberta's first-year comprehensive warranty is the broadest coverage window you'll have on the home. Scheduling a thorough review around month 11, rather than waiting until month 12, leaves enough time to formally document and report anything you find before that window closes.
What to review during this inspection
Walk through every room again as if it were your original possession walkthrough: test switches, taps, and appliances, check for cracks or gaps that have developed, look closely at caulking and seals, and review anything you noted informally through the year but hadn't yet reported.
Doing it yourself vs. hiring an inspector
Many buyers do this inspection themselves, working from a thorough checklist. Others hire an independent inspector specifically for this milestone, separate from their original pre-possession inspection, particularly if they want a second, trained set of eyes before comprehensive coverage narrows.
Don't wait until the deadline to start. Give yourself enough runway between finding something and formally reporting it — a rushed report in the final days leaves no room for follow-up questions from your builder or warranty provider.
Reporting everything before the deadline
Submit anything you find in writing, with photos and dates, following the same approach in our guide on submitting a clear warranty request. Items reported before the year-one deadline are handled under comprehensive coverage; items reported after typically are not, regardless of when they actually occurred.
What happens once year one closes
After year one, coverage narrows to delivery and distribution systems for year two, then to the building envelope, then structural components. The 11-month inspection is your best opportunity to catch anything that falls outside those narrower categories while it's still covered.
Ready to look at actual homes?
Coming up on your 11-month mark? Get in touch — we'll help you put together a thorough review before the deadline.
Ryan McCann
Ryan is an Edmonton-based new-construction specialist with MaxWell Polaris and the person behind MoveNew. He's helped over 2,200 clients in the Edmonton area buy and sell their home.
Contact Ryan today at 780-964-8445 to start your new home journey.
Last reviewed 11 August 2026. General information for Edmonton-area buyers — not legal advice. Contract terms, builder practices, and Alberta regulations can change or vary; confirm current details with a real-estate lawyer or the relevant builder before making a decision.
Frequently asked questions
Is an 11-month inspection required?
No, it's not required, but it's a widely recommended practice to make full use of your comprehensive first-year coverage.
Should I use the same inspector from my pre-possession inspection?
Not necessarily, though it can help since they'll have a record to compare against. Either a returning or a new inspector can do this effectively.
What if I find something on month 12 instead of month 11?
Report it immediately in writing. Scheduling around month 11 is about leaving buffer time, not a strict cutoff itself — but don't wait longer than necessary.
Does this inspection cost the same as the original one?
Costs vary by inspector and scope. Ask for a quote specific to a returning, more targeted inspection if that's what you're booking.
What if I have a home to sell?
That is common, and it is worth planning early. The timing question is how a builder's possession date lines up with the sale of your current home — completion dates can move, and carrying two homes or bridging the gap has a real cost. Start with a free home evaluation so you know what your current home is worth, then read our guide to selling before buying new construction.
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