Acquisition of a new home being constructed is a thrilling event. It all is new, contemporary and durable. Nevertheless, the problems may manifest themselves after the new construction, and this is where post-construction warranty coverage comes in. Knowledge of what is covered by this warranty, the duration of the warranty and the usage of the warranty can empower homeowners to protect their investment and save the cost of unwarranted repairs.
With this article, we dissect all the information that homeowners need to know with regards to post-construction warranties such as their coverage, duration and necessary actions in case something is not going as planned.
What Does Post-Construction Warranty cover?
A post construction guarantee is an official declaration by the contractor that your new house will not contain any defects within a given time after the completion. It explains the liability of the builder to repair or replace those items that break down either through poor workmanship, materials or structural issues not through normal wear and tear.
Majority of builders offer this warranty as a guarantee to the buyers of the home to have the peace of mind that the home is of standard and safe to maintain even after construction has been completed.
Types of Coverage of a Post-Construction Warranty.
Post-construction home warranties normally provide a varying duration of coverage of various parts of the house. The most typical ones are as follows:
1. Workmanship Warranty (Normally 1 Year)
This includes flaws associated with low workmanship such as:
- Paint issues
- Flooring defects
- Trim or carpentry problems
- Leaks in the pipes or electrical fixtures.
These are small yet frequent problems that manifest themselves frequently during the first year of the period of living in a new house.
2. Systems Warranties (Usually 2 Years)
This is in the case of major mechanical systems which include:
- HVAC
- Plumbing
- Electrical systems
In case a system fails due to inappropriate installation, the builder is usually obliged to fix or replace the system.
3. Structural Warranty (Some 5-10 Years)
The most important section of a post-construction warranty is structural coverage. It insures against large defects related to:
- Foundation cracks
- Load-bearing walls
- Roof framing
- Structural beams or columns
These problems may be expensive and hazardous and hence structural warranties are a must to all homeowners.
What’s Not Covered?
Although warranties are very powerful protection, they are not all-embracing. The exclusions that the homeowners should know about include:
- Losses due to maintenance deficiency.
- Wear and tear
- Weather-related damage (unless established to have been occasioned by construction problems).
- Damage resulting because of homeowner renovations.
- Breakages (typically under independent warranty of manufacturers)
Knowledge of exclusion assists in avoiding any misunderstandings as well as knowing when you can take a valid claim.
How to make ways of claim in warranty the right way.
The warranty paperwork is one of the areas that you should manage to get easy claims. Follow these steps:
1. Keep All Documentation
Keep your warranties, builder contracts, inspection findings and receipts. These are necessary in claims.
2. Report Issues Promptly
Majority of the warranties are made strict in terms of deadlines. You should report any problems immediately you detect them in order not to miss your claim slot.
3. Document Everything
Take pictures, write the dates and when the issue began to occur. Good records can assist with your argument.
4. Follow the Builder’s Process
Reconstruction contractors usually have a designated process of claims. Do it right to avoid being kept or turned away.
- The importance of Post-Construction Warranty Coverage.
- A new house is a significant investment. Post construction warranties offer:
- Unexpected repair financial protection.
- Materials and workmanship quality assurance.
- Happiness to know that your house is constructed in a responsible manner.
- Increase in resale value, since warranties are usually sold to new clients.
- This insurance will give the homeowners the peace of mind that they are secure despite the departure of the builder.
Tips for Homeowners
- In order to get the maximum advantages of your warranty, remember the following tips:
- Conduct frequent house repairs to not render the warranties void.
- Be sure to read your warranty paper, it is different with each builder.
- Monitor the date of warranty expiry of each part.
- Have a third party checkup in case you have a deep concern.
This is because being proactive will make you prevent simple problems in advance and secure your home.
Final Thoughts
Every homeowner of a newly-built house needs to know the coverage of post-construction warranty. It guarantees that your house is of a good quality and even gives you a cover against any defects that might emerge once you have occupied the house. When you know what your warranty covers-and how to protect it, you can save your investment, prevent needless maintenance expenses and have a long-term peace of mind.
Whenever you intend to construct or purchase a new home, be sure to read carefully through the warranty and request your builder to expound on the warranty. When a homeowner is informed he is better placed.
