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Frequently Asked Questions About New Home Warranty
Coverage
Are cracks like this covered in your warranty?
(most warranties do not cover cracks this size)
NOTE:
IF YOU SEE ANY ERRORS IN MY
INTERPRETATION OF THIS WARRANTY PLEASE CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY SO I MAY
CORRECT IT.
The following is a list of questions homeowners should ask BEFORE they
purchase a new home. Compare the answers provided by your salesman with
the actual coverage in the warranty. These answers are based from reading
the Residential Warranty Crop, the Homes of Texas, and the Home Buyers
Warranty. These are generally the same, in some cases, such as the ROC
and Homes of Texas, the wording is exact as well as the pictures.
Use this as a guide. Read the warranty BEFORE you buy. Ask your salesman
questions.
Does the warranty cover my house for a full 10 years?
NO. The warranty covers the home for 1 year, the major systems (A/C
Heating, electricity etc.) for 2 years and ONLY major structural defects
for years 3-10. (This does not necessarily mean foundations)
Does the warranty cover my foundation for 10 full years?
NO. The warranty will cover a major structural defect ONLY if "It
materially affects the physical safety of the occupants of the home".
Many of the defects are caused by a bad foundation, but until this poses
a threat to your safety, it is not covered.
Does it cover cracks in the foundation for 10 full years?
NO not necessarily. Cracks must be 1/4 of an inch, the size of a pencil,
before the warranty kicks in. And this is ONLY for the 1st year. for years
2-10 it must pose a threat to the safety of the occupants before the warranty
will cover it. Methods of repair to the cracks include epoxy. (glue).
Then what is a Major Structural Defect?
All of the following conditions must be met to constitute a major structural
defect:
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Actual physical damage
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Causing the failure of the specific major structural components and
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It materially affects the physical safety of the occupants of the home.
Are the cracks in the bricks covered for 10 full years?
NO, not really. Cracks in bricks must be 1/4 inch before the warranty
will cover it. This is the size of a pencil. Also this is covered ONLY
in the 1st year.
What if the cracks are caused by the foundation?
Still not covered. See questions above. If it does not pose a threat
to the safety of the occupants, it is not covered.
My walls have multiple cracks. Is this covered?
NOT NECESSARILY. The cracks must be over 1/8 of an inch before the
warranty will cover it and ONLY during the first year. During years 2-10
cracks are not covered in any circumstances. Methods of repair include
patching. Paint colors will be matched as best as possible. They are not
required to paint the entire wall or room.
My doors stick. Is this covered?
In the first year only. The method of repair is to shave the door or
replace it.
My windows stick. Is this covered?
Maybe. First year yes. Years 2-10 if it poses a threat to the safety
of the occupants such as being a fire hazard, then it could be covered.
Method of repair, make it not stick or replace it.
What else is not covered after the first year?
Examples include:
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Roof
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Siding
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Windows
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Bricks
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Tile
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Carpet
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Flooring
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Doors
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Trim
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Drywall
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Plaster
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Stucco
Are there any other exclusions I should know about?
Yes, the most interesting are:
Loss o damage resulting from, or made worse by: the
presence of hazardous or toxic materials resulting in uninhabitability
or health risk within the home.
Failure of your builder to complete construction
of the home
Violation of applicable building codes
Any consequential damages
Personal property damage or bodily injury
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