InterNACHI Certified 11th-Month Warranty Inspector

Under a typical builder's limited warranty, how long is workmanship and materials coverage?

• ASix months from closing
• BOne year from closing or substantial completion
• CTwo years from closing
• DTen years from closing

In the standard 1-2-10 builder warranty framework, what does the '2' typically cover?

• ATwo years of paint and finish touch-ups
• BTwo years of systems coverage including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical distribution
• CTwo years of roofing material coverage
• DTwo years of appliance coverage

What does the '10' in a 1-2-10 builder warranty typically cover?

• ATen years of cosmetic defect coverage
• BTen years of major structural defect coverage on load-bearing elements
• CTen years of free maintenance service
• DTen years of HVAC coverage

Which entity backs a 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10 HBW) policy?

• AThe homeowner's title insurance company
• BAn independent third-party insurer that the builder enrolls each home with
• CThe state attorney general's office
• DThe original mortgage lender

What is RWC in the context of new-construction warranties?

• AA nationwide repair scheduling cooperative
• BResidential Warranty Company, a third-party warranty insurer competing with 2-10 HBW
• CA federal warranty registration program
• DAn InterNACHI sub-organization

A builder advertises a 'builder-direct' warranty rather than a 2-10 HBW or RWC policy. What does this mean?

• AThe warranty is automatically extended by the federal government
• BThe builder itself is the warrantor, with no third-party insurer backing the obligation
• CThe builder is uninsured and not licensed
• DThe warranty is transferable only to the original homeowner

Under a typical 2-10 HBW policy, the 10-year structural coverage is generally:

• ANon-transferable and tied to the original buyer only
• BTransferable to subsequent owners during the coverage period
• CVoided after the first sale
• DRestricted to the builder's employees

Which of the following is typically EXCLUDED from a one-year builder warranty?

• ADrywall nail pops discovered in month 10
• BDoor alignment issues caused by framing settlement
• CNormal homeowner maintenance such as caulking around tubs
• DHVAC airflow imbalance traced to undersized return ducting

Under most 1-2-10 programs, a 'major structural defect' usually requires which condition?

• AAny drywall crack longer than 1 foot
• BDamage to a designated load-bearing element that renders the home unsafe or unlivable
• CAny cosmetic settling at non-bearing partitions
• DAny tile crack on the kitchen floor

Most builder warranties define the start date of coverage as:

• AThe date the homeowner first occupies the home
• BThe date of closing or substantial completion, whichever is earlier in the warranty terms
• CThe date the homeowner files the first claim
• DThe date the home is listed for resale

Under a 1-2-10 framework, a refrigerator that fails 14 months after closing is typically covered by:

• AThe builder's two-year systems warranty
• BThe 10-year structural warranty
• CThe manufacturer's appliance warranty, not the builder's coverage
• DHomeowner's insurance only

Performance standards in a builder warranty (e.g., crack widths, gap dimensions) primarily serve to:

• ASet quotas for how many defects a builder must approve
• BDefine the threshold below which a condition is considered normal and not a warrantable d…
• CCap the homeowner's repair budget
• DDetermine which insurer must pay

Which of the following is NOT a typical element of a 1-2-10 builder warranty?

• AOne-year workmanship and materials coverage
• BTwo-year systems coverage
• CThree-year roof leak coverage
• DTen-year structural defect coverage

Why do many third-party warranty programs (2-10 HBW, RWC) tightly define 'major structural defect'?

• ATo allow cosmetic cracks to be claimed broadly
• BTo limit insured exposure on the 10-year tail and require a safety/livability impact
• CTo force builders to leave the program after one claim
• DTo eliminate workmanship coverage entirely

Why is an 11th-month warranty inspection commonly scheduled in month 10 or 11 rather than month 12?

• ABecause warranty companies offer discounts only in month 10
• BTo leave time for the report, written claim addendum, and submission before the 12-month…
• CBecause builders refuse to honor claims in month 12
• DBecause state law prohibits month-12 inspections

Most builders require warranty claims to be submitted in what form?

• AVerbal phone call only
• BWritten submission within the warranty term
• CVerbal report to the original sales agent
• DPosted on social media to the builder's page

An 11th-month warranty inspection generally focuses on:

• AVerifying compliance with the energy code at the time of construction
• BIdentifying workmanship and materials defects that the builder is obligated to remedy bef…
• CRe-inspecting the home for new-buyer financing
• DDocumenting cosmetic preferences for redesign

A homeowner contacts the inspector at month 12 plus 3 days. What is the BEST response?

• ATell the homeowner the warranty is voided and refuse to inspect
• BInspect immediately and prioritize items that may still be covered under the 2-year syste…
• CWait until month 14 so all items are clearly out of warranty
• DDirect the homeowner to a code compliance officer

Within the 11th-month warranty inspection scope, which item is generally OUTSIDE the inspection?

• AVerifying roof flashings at penetrations
• BEstimating the future market value of the home
• CDocumenting GFCI tripping at exterior outlets
• DPhotographing drywall cracks at door corners

A homeowner shows the inspector a previous punch list from the builder's six-month walkthrough. The inspector should:

• AIgnore it because earlier punch lists are unrelated to the 11th-month inspection
• BVerify which earlier items remain unresolved and document them in the warranty report
• CTell the homeowner to discard the punch list
• DRefuse to inspect items previously reported

Many builder warranties are 'limited' rather than 'full.' What does this practically mean?

• AThe builder may limit remedies, exclude certain damages, and require specific claim proce…
• BThe builder gives unlimited free repairs to original buyers only
• CThe builder limits the warranty to investment properties only
• DThe federal government limits the duration to six months

Which warranty tier is most likely to apply to a slow-draining bathroom sink discovered at month 11 due to construction debris in the trap arm?

• ATen-year structural
• BTwo-year systems (plumbing distribution)
• CTwenty-year code remediation
• DNot covered under any tier

A builder's warranty manual states 'claims accepted only when delivered in writing during the warranty period.' If the homeowner's only proof is voicemails, the BEST inspector recommendation is:

• ASubmit a written letter or use the builder portal immediately, listing prior verbal conta…
• BWait for the builder to call back
• CRe-record voicemails for clarity
• DStop pursuing the claim

Why is performing the inspection slightly EARLIER (e.g., month 9–10) sometimes recommended for very large or complex homes?

• AIt allows full-season HVAC testing and gives the builder more lead time to schedule trade…
• BIt locks in lower inspection fees
• CIt cancels the structural coverage early
• DIt restarts the warranty clock

Which document MOST controls what an 11th-month warranty inspector should expect a builder to repair?

• AThe local zoning ordinance
• BThe specific builder limited warranty document (or 2-10 HBW / RWC booklet) provided at cl…
• CThe InterNACHI Code of Ethics
• DThe lender's appraisal report

If a home was sold to a second owner in month 8, is the original builder workmanship warranty likely to still be in force?

• AYes — most one-year limited warranties run with the home and remain in force until the or…
• BNo — resale always voids the warranty
• CYes, but only after a $500 transfer fee
• DOnly if both owners are licensed contractors

An inspector observes a settling crack at the corner of a doorway, 1/32 inch wide and 12 inches long. Per common builder performance standards, this is MOST likely:

• AA major structural defect
• BA normal first-year settling crack, often considered within tolerance — though it is usua…
• CA code violation
• DEvidence of foundation failure

Drywall 'nail pops' in a first-year home are typically caused by:

• AExcessive humidity from a basement leak
• BLumber shrinkage as framing dries, pushing fasteners outward through the joint compound
• CTermite damage to framing
• DHidden masonry failure

Hardwood floor gaps that appear in winter and close in summer are typically:

• AEvidence of severe sub-floor failure
• BNormal seasonal movement related to indoor humidity changes
• CAlways a warrantable defect
• DCaused by builder error in nailing

An interior door has begun rubbing on the jamb six months after closing. The MOST common cause in a first-year home is:

• ADoor manufacturer recall
• BSettlement and minor framing movement that shifts the jamb out of plumb
• CFoundation cracking
• DImproper door material selection

Paint touch-ups in a first-year home are typically:

• AAlways a warrantable major defect
• BPerformed once by the builder as a goodwill touch-up at the 11th-month appointment for it…
• CExcluded entirely from all builder warranties
• DOwned by the original painter's personal warranty

Caulk separation at base trim, crown molding, and door casings is MOST often caused by:

• ADefective caulk that should always be claimed under materials
• BDifferential movement between wood trim and drywall as both equalize in moisture content
• CExcessive HVAC airflow
• DFoundation settlement that voids the warranty

A first-year home shows a 1/8-inch wide diagonal crack running from the top of a doorway up to the ceiling, with visible drywall paper tearing. The BEST classification is:

• ANormal cosmetic settling — no action needed
• BWorkmanship defect that warrants documentation and likely a 'cut, retape, refloat, and re…
• CMajor structural defect requiring engineering review
• DHomeowner-caused damage from hanging pictures

Squeaking floors in a first-year home are MOST commonly caused by:

• ATermite activity
• BSubfloor fasteners loosening as framing shrinks, allowing slight movement between the sub…
• CCrawlspace ventilation blockage
• DExcessive insulation

Cupping of solid hardwood flooring (edges higher than the center) in the first year typically indicates:

• AExcess moisture in the subfloor or crawl space environment beneath the flooring
• BNormal seasonal hardwood gapping
• CManufacturer adhesive defect
• DSound transmission deficiency

A first-year home has multiple stair treads that squeak at the front edge. The MOST appropriate inspector action is:

• AIgnore — squeaks are universally excluded
• BDocument each location and recommend builder retighten or refasten treads at the stringer…
• CRecommend the homeowner glue the treads themselves
• DRecommend full stair replacement

A homeowner asks whether a slight bow in a kitchen cabinet face frame is a warranty issue. The BEST response is:

• ACabinetry is excluded, refer to manufacturer
• BDocument the bow in the addendum, since cabinetry is generally covered under the one-year…
• CTell the homeowner to live with it because cabinets warp
• DRefer to the structural warranty insurer

A new home has multiple windows that are difficult to lock or that fail to latch fully. The MOST likely cause is:

• AGlazing defect requiring full window replacement
• BSettling and framing movement causing rough-opening misalignment that can be adjusted by…
• CExcess interior humidity
• DImproper roof flashing

An inspector observes drywall corner-bead cracking along a stairwell. The BEST description in the addendum is:

• ACosmetic only, ignore
• BVertical corner-bead crack at stairwell — recommend cut out, replace bead, retape, refloa…
• CMajor structural concern requiring engineer letter
• DHomeowner caused

Recurring drywall cracks that reopen after the builder repairs them MOST likely indicate:

• AInadequate drywall taping technique only — recoat again
• BOngoing differential framing movement that may require investigation of framing or founda…
• CExcessive humidifier use
• DHomeowner installation of heavy artwork

A second-floor bedroom is consistently 8°F warmer than the rest of the home during cooling season. The MOST likely warranty-claimable cause is:

• AHomeowner kept the door closed
• BHVAC airflow imbalance from undersized supply, restricted return, or insufficient damper…
• CWindow glazing quality difference
• DInsufficient ceiling fan use

A homeowner reports a water heater TPR valve dripping intermittently from its discharge pipe. The MOST appropriate inspector action is:

• ARecommend plugging the discharge pipe
• BDocument the active TPR discharge as a plumbing safety issue requiring builder/plumber di…
• CReassure the homeowner that all TPR valves drip
• DTell the homeowner to manually open and close it weekly

Slow drains in multiple first-year fixtures are MOST commonly caused by:

• AConstruction debris (drywall mud, grout, paint solids) in P-traps or branch arms
• BSewer main collapse
• CTree roots in the lateral
• DHard-water scaling

A kitchen GFCI receptacle trips repeatedly when the toaster and microwave are used together. The MOST likely cause is:

• ANormal GFCI behavior, no action required
• BAn overloaded branch circuit and/or shared neutral that the builder should investigate
• CInsufficient ceiling height
• DTripped main breaker

An inspector finds a small drip from an angle stop beneath a vanity sink. The BEST documentation entry is:

• APlumbing leak, repair sometime
• BActive drip at angle stop, hot side, left vanity sink, master bath — recommend builder/pl…
• CMinor cosmetic issue
• DOwner abuse — exclude from warranty

An HVAC condensate line discharges onto the roof and is staining shingles. The MOST appropriate finding is:

• AImproper condensate termination — recommend redirecting per manufacturer/local code to an…
• BNormal HVAC behavior
• CRoofing manufacturer defect
• DExcluded under all warranties

A homeowner reports a strong sewer-gas odor in a rarely used basement bathroom. The MOST likely first-year cause is:

• ADry P-trap in the floor drain or seldom-used fixture, allowing sewer gas to enter
• BActive sewer main break
• CHVAC condensate odor
• DDefective insulation