Your Home Construction Warranty – 5 Things You Need to Do

When you move into a newly-constructed home, you often expect that the house is fully functional, inside and out. If a problem does occur, you may expect to contact the builders and ask them to make repairs under the terms of the home construction warranty you purchased. Many first-time homeowners assume that the builder will conduct all possible repairs under the terms of the warranty. These first-timers often encounter rude surprises when they attempt to hold homebuilders to these warranties.

Read the Warranty
Each home construction warranty contains different wording when it describes what it covers and what it doesn’t, the term limit of the warranty, and the actions the builder will take to repair construction damage. Some warranties will not cover the vast majority of normal home construction defects. Homeowners should read the small print in a home construction warranty, as it may say that you could wind up compensating the homebuilder for the costs of an arbitration hearing if you lose.

Know the Term Limits
Term limits for warranties can also vary by the type of repairs needed. For instance, warranties on structural damage can last as long as ten years. Mechanical defects, such as environmental, electricity and plumbing systems, are typically covered for two years. Items that wear out quickly, such as paint, tiles and roofing, may have warranties as short as twelve months.

Find the Exclusions
A home construction warranty often carries several coverage exclusions. Homeowners who are unaware of these exclusions may believe that the warranty covers these circumstances, only to learn later that the repair costs will come from their own pockets. Some notable exclusions include the deterioration of construction materials over time or due to adverse weather conditions. Most warranties do not cover damage caused by those outside the home, either due to neglect or criminal activity.

Know What Voids The Warranty
Many homebuilders specify actions that homeowners must take to prevent a home construction warranty from being voided. Homeowners must keep up with a list of maintenance duties to ensure that the builders will honor the warranty. Some of these actions include draining the hot water heater, cleaning the cutters, sealing leaks in the caulking or grout and dealing with potential pest infestations.

File a Warranty Claim
A home construction warranty will also contain instructions on how to file a claim. This step typically includes calling a repair hotline or sending a written request. The written request gives the homeowner a paper trail, which he or she can use later to establish when the claim was initially made. A letter sent by certified mail with return receipt required the recipient to sign the receipt and confirm delivery, so the sender will have hard evidence that it reached its destination. The return receipt can be highly useful if the homebuyer later has to pursue legal action against the builder.

If you need to know how to file a home construction warranty case, contact us today at 1-888-252-4668. Our friendly and experienced intake team will put you in touch with our home construction warranty attorneys. You can also send us your information through the “Free Case Review” form at the top of this page. We keep all client information confidential and the call is absolutely free.