08/10/2018
What a Builder Warranty Covers on New Constructions (and What You're on the Hook for Yourself)
I thought that this was interesting as it applies to anyone who already has purchased a home - or who will be buying one.
What’s covered and what’s not?
The lifespan of a builder warranty depends on the specific features of the house. However, the typical builder warranty lasts six months to two years, with some lasting up to 10 years for "major structural defects" like an unsafe roof.
While there are differences in warranties from builder to builder, in general, they should cover all of a home’s materials and workmanship. In most cases, that includes:
Concrete foundations and floors
Dry basement
Clapboard and shingles
Landscaping
Carpentry
Thermal and moisture cover
Waterproofing
Insulation
Roofing and siding
Doors and windows
Glass
Garage doors
Paint
Plumbing
Electrical
Heating and cooling
Septic system
Most builder warranties don't cover:
Household appliances
Defects resulting from work conducted by the homeowner or anyone else after the builder's work is completed
Shrinkage and expansion of the house
Normal fading of paint
Shrinkage of joints/minor cracking
Weather-related issues
Dampness/condensation caused by failure of the homeowner to maintain adequate ventilation
Insect damage
An important lesson learned is that it never hurts to try. Ask the person in charge of a potential warranty if the item in question is covered. The worst case scenario is that they say no.
Let's make this day the best one yet!
This came from
Most new constructions come with a builder warranty, but what does it cover? Check out this list, as well as other essentials new home buyers need to know.