Your new home may look complete, but defects and performance issues can develop or become apparent during the first year of occupancy.

A One-Year Warranty Inspection provides homeowners with an opportunity to have their home professionally inspected before a typical one-year builder warranty period expires. The inspection can help identify observable deficiencies that may warrant correction or further evaluation so the homeowner can document those conditions and submit them to the builder or warranty provider for consideration before the applicable warranty deadline.

Frontline Inspections, PLLC performs one-year warranty inspections throughout the Greater Houston Area using the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) Real Estate Inspector Standards of Practice (SOP) as the inspection standard and scope for this service, to the extent applicable.

The TREC SOP defines a real estate inspection as a limited visual survey and basic performance evaluation of applicable building systems and components using normal controls. It is not intended to be a comprehensive investigation or exploratory examination to determine the cause or effect of deficiencies.

For a one-year warranty inspection, Frontline applies the TREC inspection scope and limitations to the inspection while recognizing that the builder's warranty is a separate contractual matter. Frontline does not determine whether a condition is covered by a builder's warranty.

The first year of home ownership can reveal conditions that were not apparent during the initial walkthrough or final construction inspection.

A one-year warranty inspection provides an opportunity to evaluate observable conditions involving applicable systems and components, including:

• Foundation and structural performance
• Grading and drainage
• Roof covering materials
• Roof penetrations and flashing
• Attic and roof structures
• Attic insulation and ventilation
• Interior walls, ceilings, floors, and doors
• Exterior walls, doors, and windows
• Interior and exterior stairways
• Fireplaces and chimneys
• Porches, balconies, decks, and carports, where applicable
• Electrical systems
• Heating and cooling systems
• Plumbing systems
• Water heaters
• Applicable installed appliances
• Garage and applicable fire-separation components
• Evidence of water penetration

The inspection provides a documented assessment of observable conditions at the time of inspection. Conditions identified in the report may then be submitted to the builder or warranty provider for consideration.

The structural inspection includes applicable accessible foundation and structural components.

The TREC SOP requires the inspector to:

• Render a written opinion regarding foundation performance
• Report the type of foundation
• Report the applicable crawl-space inspection vantage point
• Report visible indications used to evaluate adverse foundation performance
• Report applicable deficiencies in foundation components
• Report applicable deficiencies in retaining walls related to foundation performance
• Report exposed or damaged reinforcement
• Report crawl-space ventilation or drainage that is not performing

Observable indicators of adverse foundation performance may include conditions such as:

• Binding, out-of-square, or non-latching doors
• Framing or frieze-board separations
• Sloping floors
• Window, wall, floor, or ceiling cracks or separations
• Rotating, buckling, cracking, or deflecting masonry cladding

The inspection does not constitute a structural engineering evaluation and does not determine the cause of foundation movement or the structural adequacy of the foundation.

The inspection evaluates applicable grading and drainage conditions required by the TREC SOP.

The inspector reports as deficient:

• Drainage around the foundation that is not performing
• Deficiencies in grade levels around the foundation
• Deficiencies in installed gutter and downspout systems

The inspection does not determine area hydrology, underground water conditions, or the sizing, efficiency, or adequacy of underground or surface drainage systems.

The roof covering is inspected from the surface of the roof when required by the TREC SOP and when the inspector determines that the roof can be safely reached and walked without significant risk of damage.

The inspection includes applicable observations of:

• Roof-covering materials
• Fasteners
• Adhesion
• Flashing
• Skylights
• Roof penetrations
• Evidence of water penetration
• Evidence of previous repairs

The inspector reports the roof-covering type and the vantage point from which the roof was inspected.

The inspector is not required to walk the roof when it cannot be safely reached or when walking it may cause significant damage. The inspector is also not required to determine remaining roof life expectancy, identify latent hail damage, exhaustively examine all fasteners or adhesion, or provide an exhaustive list of water-penetration locations.

The attic inspection includes applicable accessible roof structures and attic components.

The inspector reports:

• The attic inspection vantage point
• Approximate average attic insulation depth
• Evidence of water penetration

The inspector reports applicable deficiencies involving:

• Attic ventilation
• Deflections or depressions in the roof surface related to adverse performance of framing or decking
• Missing insulation
• Installed framing members and decking
• Attic access ladders and openings
• Attic ventilators

The inspector is not required to enter attics or unfinished spaces that do not meet the applicable TREC access requirements.

The interior inspection includes applicable:

• Walls
• Ceilings
• Floors
• Doors and hardware
• Stairways
• Landings
• Guardrails
• Handrails
• Garage-to-residence and garage-to-attic fire separation

The inspector reports evidence of water penetration and deficiencies related to structural performance or water penetration.

The TREC SOP does not require reporting cosmetic damage or the condition of floor, wall, or ceiling coverings, paints, stains, other surface coatings, cabinets, or countertops.

The exterior inspection includes applicable exterior walls, doors, windows, and related components.

The inspector reports evidence of water penetration and applicable deficiencies involving:

• Weather stripping and gaskets
• Exterior claddings
• Water-resistant materials and coatings
• Flashing details and terminations
• Exterior doors
• Garage doors
• Windows and components
• Emergency escape and rescue openings
• Applicable garage-door closing provisions
• Applicable garage-to-residence door requirements
• Screens
• Fall protection at applicable windows

The inspection does not determine the overall adequacy or sizing of a drainage or gutter system.

The electrical inspection is performed in accordance with the applicable TREC requirements.

The inspection includes applicable:

• Service entrance and panels
• Branch circuits
• Receptacles
• Switches
• Wiring and wiring terminations
• Junction boxes
• Fixtures
• Grounding and bonding
• Ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection
• Arc-fault circuit-interrupter protection
• Equipment disconnects
• Smoke alarms
• Carbon monoxide alarms
• Other electrical components addressed by the TREC SOP

The inspector manually tests installed and accessible smoke and carbon monoxide alarms as required by the SOP.

Applicable 125-volt receptacles are evaluated for power, correct polarity, and grounding, and applicable GFCI protection is tested as required.

The inspector is not required to inspect low-voltage wiring, disassemble mechanical appliances, verify smoke-alarm effectiveness or interconnectivity, or perform other electrical procedures specifically excluded by the TREC SOP.

Accessible heating and cooling systems are evaluated using normal controls at typical settings as required by the TREC SOP.

The inspection includes applicable observations of:

• Heating equipment
• Cooling equipment
• Thermostats
• Equipment access
• Service access
• Condensate drainage
• Refrigerant-pipe insulation
• Condensing units
• Duct systems
• Filters
• Registers and grilles
• Return-air openings

For cooling systems, the inspector measures and reports the temperature difference between supply and return air or reports another industry-accepted method used to determine performance.

Under the TREC SOP, a cooling system that fails to achieve a 15°F to 22°F temperature differential, or fails to cool adequately under another industry-accepted performance method, is reported as deficient.

The inspection does not include refrigerant pressure, refrigerant type, refrigerant-leak testing, system sizing, efficiency, or other HVAC conditions specifically excluded by the TREC SOP.

The plumbing inspection includes applicable plumbing systems and components required by the TREC SOP.

The inspection includes applicable observations of:

• Water-meter location
• Main water-supply shutoff location
• Static water pressure
• Visible water-supply piping
• Visible drain and waste piping
• Active leaks
• Pressure conditions
• Pressure-reducing valves, where applicable
• Expansion tanks, where applicable
• Fixture shutoff valves
• Applicable dielectric unions
• Backflow and anti-siphon provisions
• Air gaps
• Plumbing fixtures
• Drainage and waste systems
• Vent systems
• Gas distribution systems

The inspector does not operate main, branch, or shutoff valves and does not inspect private water wells, private water-supply systems, swimming pools, sprinkler systems, fire-sprinkler systems, private sewage disposal systems, or other plumbing components specifically excluded by the TREC SOP.

The inspection includes applicable water heaters.

The inspector reports:

• Energy source
• Capacity

Applicable deficiencies include:

• Inoperative units
• Leaking or corroded fittings or tanks
• Damaged or missing components
• Missing cold-water shutoff valves
• Applicable pan and pan-drain deficiencies
• Inappropriate locations
• Inadequate protection from physical damage
• Applicable garage-clearance deficiencies
• Inadequate service access
• Applicable service platforms or passageways
• Deficiencies in temperature-and-pressure relief valves and discharge piping

The TREC SOP also addresses applicable deficiencies involving electric heating elements, conductors, gas leaks associated with the water heater, flame conditions, combustion and dilution air, venting, draft, proximity to combustibles, and vent termination.

The inspector does not determine water-heater efficiency or adequacy.

Where applicable, fireplaces and chimneys are inspected in accordance with the TREC SOP.

The inspection addresses applicable deficiencies involving:

• Accessible creosote
• Combustible materials near the firebox
• Fireblocking at accessible attic chimney penetrations
• Dampers
• Lintels
• Hearths and hearth extensions
• Fireboxes
• Gas fixtures installed in fireplaces
• Circulating fans
• Combustion-air vents
• Chimney structure
• Chimney termination
• Coping
• Crown
• Caps
• Spark arrestors

The inspector is not required to verify flue integrity, perform a chimney smoke test, or determine draft adequacy.

Applicable interior and exterior stairways are inspected for deficiencies in:

• Steps
• Stairways
• Landings
• Guardrails
• Handrails
• Applicable baluster or spindle spacing

The inspector also inspects applicable attached balconies, carports, and porches and applicable abutting porches, decks, and balconies used for ingress and egress.

These components are not exhaustively measured.

The TREC SOP includes specific requirements for applicable appliances and equipment, including:

• Dishwasher
• Food-waste disposer
• Range hood
• Electric and gas ranges, cooktops, and ovens
• Built-in microwave oven
• Garage-door operators
• Dryer exhaust systems
• Other applicable built-in appliances addressed by the applicable requirements

Installed equipment and appliances within the TREC scope are operated in at least one mode using ordinary controls at typical settings, subject to the SOP's limitations.

A one-year warranty inspection creates a written record of observable conditions existing at the time of inspection.

The report may identify deficiencies involving:

• Water penetration
• Roof-covering components
• Foundation performance
• Drainage and grading
• Plumbing
• Electrical systems
• HVAC performance
• Windows and doors
• Attic conditions
• Structural components
• Garage fire separation
• Appliances
• Other applicable systems and components

A reported deficiency does not establish that the builder is responsible for the condition or that the condition is covered under a particular warranty.

The homeowner should submit applicable findings to the builder or warranty provider for determination of warranty coverage and corrective action.

When a condition requires specialized evaluation, the report may recommend evaluation by an appropriately qualified professional.

A one-year warranty inspection is not a substitute for a final new construction inspection.

A Final Phase inspection occurs when the home is substantially completed and provides an opportunity to evaluate the home's applicable systems and components before or around closing and occupancy.

A One-Year Warranty Inspection occurs after the homeowner has occupied the home and used its systems under normal conditions.

Because these inspections occur at different stages, homeowners may benefit from multiple inspections:

Phase One – Pre-Pour → Phase Two – Pre-Drywall → Final Phase → One-Year Warranty Inspection

Each inspection provides an opportunity to observe conditions that may not be accessible or apparent at another stage of construction or occupancy.

Frontline Inspections performs One-Year Warranty Inspections using the TREC Real Estate Inspector Standards of Practice as the inspection standard and scope for this service, subject to the limitations and exclusions stated in the inspection agreement and report.

The TREC SOP establishes minimum requirements for a real estate inspection of a substantially completed one-to-four-family dwelling for a prospective buyer or seller. A warranty inspection performed after closing is not, solely because it is called a warranty inspection, a TREC-regulated buyer-or-seller transaction inspection.

However, TREC permits an inspector to provide a higher level of inspection performance and to inspect additional components when the inspector is competent to provide those services. Frontline's warranty inspection service is therefore structured around the TREC SOP requirements while remaining a separate warranty-related inspection service.

A TREC-based inspection is a limited visual survey and basic performance evaluation. It is not a comprehensive investigation or exploratory examination.

The inspection is limited by accessibility, safety, normal inspection methods, and the applicable SOP.

The inspector is not required to inspect:

• Buried, hidden, latent, or concealed conditions
• Subsurface drainage systems
• Detached buildings and certain detached structures
• Concrete flatwork
• Automated or programmable control systems
• Security or data-distribution systems
• Solar panels
• Smart-home automation components
• Other items outside the applicable SOP

The inspector is not required to determine:

• The cause or source of a condition
• The cause or effect of a deficiency
• Code compliance, except where specifically required by the SOP
• Manufacturer or regulatory compliance, except where specifically required by the SOP
• System adequacy, capacity, efficiency, suitability, or reliability
• Remaining service life or age
• Future performance
• Insurability or warrantability
• The presence or absence of mold, asbestos, lead-based paint, or other environmental hazards
• The presence or absence of termites or other wood-destroying insects
• Repair costs
• Engineering or architectural adequacy

The inspection does not guarantee that every defect or deficiency will be discovered.

The inspector does not designate conditions as "safe" and does not provide engineering, architectural, appraisal, mitigation, surveying, or other specialist services.

Frontline Inspections may use thermal imaging as a supplemental inspection tool during the One-Year Warranty Inspection.

Thermal imaging is not required by the TREC SOP. TREC also does not require moisture meters, environmental testing equipment, sewer cameras, drones, or other specialized equipment identified in the SOP.

When additional services are provided, they are subject to their own applicable scope, standards, qualifications, limitations, and reporting requirements.

Additional services may include:

• Thermal imaging
• Wood-Destroying Insect Inspections
• Pool and Spa Inspections
• Private Water Well Inspections
• Septic System Inspections
• Sprinkler System Inspections

These services are not part of the minimum TREC inspection scope unless specifically applicable and contracted as separate services.

Following the inspection, Frontline Inspections provides a written report documenting the inspector's opinions and findings regarding the applicable systems and components inspected.

For a TREC-regulated real estate inspection, the required TREC Property Inspection Report Form must be completed in accordance with applicable TREC requirements.

For the One-Year Warranty Inspection service, Frontline uses the TREC inspection scope and reporting requirements as the basis for documenting applicable observable deficiencies, subject to the service agreement and applicable requirements.

The report is intended to provide information about conditions observed at the time of inspection. It does not determine warranty coverage or require the builder to perform repairs.

Don't wait until your builder's warranty deadline is approaching to document potential problems.

A One-Year Warranty Inspection from Frontline Inspections, PLLC provides an independent evaluation of applicable accessible systems and components and documents observable deficiencies that may warrant further evaluation or submission to the builder or warranty provider.

Serving the Greater Houston Area

Frontline Inspections, PLLC
Residential & Commercial Property Inspections
281-640-0101

Contact Frontline Inspections for a free inspection quote and schedule your One-Year Warranty Inspection before your applicable warranty deadline.