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TRCC Proposed State Limited Warranties/Standards
And Unreasonable Exclusions
August 08, 2004
No Builder Responsibility – “Limited Warranty†Excludes
defective foundations and many other defects in new homes
PART 1 – §100 Foundation and Slab
§100.2 Concrete Slab (Excluding finished concrete floors)
§100.2.4 Condition: Exposed concrete slab corner or edge is broken or chipped.
Builder Responsibility: If the condition is reported by the Homeowner during walk-through, builder shall take such action as is necessary to bring the variance within the standard.
Homeowner Responsibility: During walk-through, inspect and report exposed concrete slab corner or edge that is broken or chipped.
Exclusion: Unless reported during walk-through, Builder has no responsibility to repair a concrete corner or edge that is broken or chipped.
36 Times the Limited Warranty contains this type of Exclusion, specifically disclaiming any warranty responsibility for the builder.
§100.2.4 §130.3.8 §140.5.4 §167.1.3 §173.1.8
§180.1.3 §100.3.1 §140.2.5 §140.5.5 §170.1.2
§173.2.2 §180.2.1 §114.1.4 §140.2.6 §142.1.3
§170.1.3 §173.2.3 §180.2.2 §115.1.4 §140.3.2
§142.2.2 §171.1.1 §173.2.4 §181.1.1 §115.1.5
§140.4.4 §150.3.5 §172.1.3 §180.1.1 §181.1.2
§130.1.4 §140.4.5 §150.3.6 §173.1.4 §180.1.2
§181.1.3
§100.3. Exterior Concrete (Such as patio, stem wall, driveway, stairs, or walk) §100.3.1 Condition: Concrete corner or edge broken or chipped.
Exclusion: Unless reported during walk-through, Builder has no responsibility
to repair a concrete corner or edge that is broken or chipped.
§100.3.8 Condition: Driveway has negative slope (slopes toward the garage) Exclusion: Excessive water entering the garage during extreme weather.
§110.2 Ceilings
§110.2.1 Condition: Ceiling bows, sags, is uneven or wavy.
Explanation: …Minor bows, uneven, or wavy ceilings are acceptable.
§110.3 Subfloor
§110.3.2 Condition: Subfloor is delaminated or swelled.
Performance Standard: Subfloor shall not delaminate or swell to the extent that
it affects the floor covering.
Homeowner Responsibility: Maintain dry condition of floor and subfloor.
§111.1 Drywall Surface
§111.8 Condition: Nail or screw is exposed.
Performance Standard: No more than four nails or screws shall be exposed in
any 8 foot by 8 foot square.
*Note: This could mean that in a 2,500 square foot home there could be 156 nails popping out in the ceilings alone.
§115.1 Stucco
§115.1.3 Condition: Stucco is deteriorating. !!!
Homeowner Responsibility: Homeowner should not allow water to
excessively contact stucco finishes.
§115.1.5 Condition: Stucco surface has an imperfection.
Exclusion: Unless reported during walk-through, Builder has no responsibility to
repair or replace stucco that has an imperfection on surface.
Explanation: …chipping, flaking, peeling, irregular graininess, or air bubbles are
characteristic of stucco.
§120.1 Roofs §120.1.1 Condition: Flashing is defective
EXCLUSION: LEAKS CAUSED BY EXTREME WEATHER.
§120.1.2 Condition: Roof is leaking
EXCLUSION: LEAKS CAUSED BY EXTREME WEATHER.
§120.1.3 Condition: Vent, louver, or other installed attic opening is leaking.
EXCLUSION: LEAKS CAUSED BY EXTREME WEATHER.
§120.1.5 Condition: Shingle, tile, metal or other roofing material is loose or falls off.
EXCLUSION: Shingle, tile, metal or other roofing material that becomes
loose or falls off due to extreme weather.
Exclusions: §400.3.7 Extreme weather such as… windstorm, flood, hurricane, tropical storm…gale force wind, wind-driven rain…or other acts of God
§130.1 Doors and Windows
§130.1.1 Condition: Door or window allows infiltration of air, dust, or moisture.
EXCLUSION: INFILTRATION OF AIR, DUST, OR MOISTURE DUE TO
EXTREME WEATHER.
§140 Interior Flooring
§140.2 Carpet
§140.2.6 Condition: Carpet has shade change or discoloration
Exclusion: Unless reported during walk-through, Builder has no responsibility to
repair or replace carpet that has shade change or discoloration.
§140.3. Finished Concrete Floor
§140.3.1 Condition: Finished living area concrete slab is pitted, depressed,
uneven, separating, or cracked.
Performance Standard: Finished living area slab in living areas that are not otherwise designed for drainage shall not have excessive pits, depressions, and unevenness exceeding 3/8 inch in average width or 1/16 inch in vertical displacement.
§140.4 Wood Floor
§140.4.1 Condition: Wood floor is uneven or unlevel.
Performance Standard: Wood floor shall not have excessive humps, ridges,
depressions, or slop within any room that exceeds 3/8 inch in any 32 inch
direction.
§140.4.2 Condition: Wood floor is loose.
Exclusion: Floating wood floors.
§140.4.3 Condition: Wood floor has open joints, is cupped, or separated.
Exclusion: Non-hardwood species which typically shrink after installation.
§140.4.4 Condition: Wood floor has shade changes or discoloration
Exclusion: Unless reported during walk-through, Builder has no responsibility
to repair or replace wood floor that has shade changes or discoloration.
§140.5.1 Condition: Vinyl pattern is not aligned
Performance Standard: Vinyl pattern shall be installed square to the most
visible wall and shall not vary more than ¼ inch in any 6 foot run. Seam
alignment shall not vary more than ¼ inch.
*NOTE: 1/4 inch is double any other third party warranty standard of 1/8 inch.
§140.5.3 Condition: Vinyl has depression or ridge.
Performance Standard: A depression shall not exceed ½ inch in any 6 foot run.
A ridge shall not exceed ½ inch…
*NOTE: Other third party warranty standard is 1/8 inch.
Exclusion: Unless reported during walk-through, Builder has no responsibility
to repair or replace any depression or ridge in vinyl.
§170 Interior Trim
§170.1.4 Condition: Trim has exposed nail or nail hole.
Exclusion: Exposed nail or nail hole in closet …does not have to be filled or set.
§170.2 Shelving
§170.2.1 Condition: Shelving, rod, or end support is installed incorrectly.
Performance Standard: Shelving, rod, and end support shall be properly
installed. A rod shall be cut no more than 1/8 inch shorter …A shelf shall be
cut no more than 1/2 inch shorter than the actual distance between the walls
and supported by stud-mounted brackets…
Homeowner Responsibility: Homeowner shall not overload shelving or rods.
§180.1 Irrigation System
§180.1.1 Condition: Irrigation system is leaking, broken, or clogged.
Homeowner Responsibility: During walk-through, inspect and report any leaks,
breaks, or clogs.
Exclusion: Unless reported during walk-through, Builder has no responsibility to
repair or replace any portion of the irrigation system that leaks, is broken, or
clogged.
*Industry Standard for automatic sprinkler systems is a minimum of one
year.
Many reputable sprinkler companies offer as much as a 4-year-warranty.
§180.1.2 Condition: Sprinkler coverage is Homeowner Responsibility: During
walk- through, inspect and report or spays on unintended area.
Homeowner Responsibility: During walk-through, inspect and report any
inadequate or unintended sprinkler coverage.
Exclusion: Unless reported during walk-through, Builder has no responsibility to
repair or replace inadequate or unintended sprinkler coverage.
§180.1.3 Condition: System control does not operate properly.
Homeowner Responsibility: During walk-through, Builder has no responsibility
to repair or replace any system control that does not operate properly.
Exclusion: Unless reported during walk-through, Builder has no responsibility to
repair or replace any system control that does not operate properly.
§181 Fencing
§181.1.2 Condition: Fence leans or falls over.
Performance Standard: A fence shall not fall over or lean in excess of 15% of
vertical.
Homeowner Responsibility: During walk-through inspect and report any fence
that leans or has fallen over.
Exclusion: Unless reported during walk-through, Builder has no responsibility to
repair or replace any fence that leans or has fallen over.
§400 GENERAL CONDITIONS
§400.1 Builder Responsibility – 6 items
§400.2 Homeowner’s Responsibilities – 9 items
§400.3 Exclusions – 30 items
Homeowner’s Responsibility
§4002.3 Soil Maintenance
§400.2.6 Humidity
Homeowner shall (a) prevent moisture accumulation, (b) maintain proper
humidity level, (c) maintain proper ventilation, (d) avoid temperature
fluctuation, and (e) take any other reasonably necessary action to avoid
moisture, dampness, humidity, or condensation in the home that may
cause damage due to excessive moisture or dryness.
§400.3 Exclusions Builder does not warrant and shall not be responsible for, and the Warranty
described in this chapter shall not extend to or include, or be applicable to, any
loss or damage caused by or made worse by any of the following:
§400.3.1
Work performed or materials supplied incident to construction…or anyone
providing work or material at the direction of Builder.
§400.3.5
Moisture, dampness, humidity, or condensation due to the failure of Homeowner to (a) prevent moisture accumulation, (b) maintain proper humidity level inside the home, (c) maintain proper ventilation, (d) avoid temperature fluctuations, or (e) take any other reasonable necessary action to avoid moisture, dampness, humidity, or condensation.
§400.3.7
Extreme weather such as… windstorm flood, hurricane, tropical storm…gale force wind, wind-driven rain…or other acts of God.
§400.3.19 “Any condition which does not result in actual physical damage to the Home, including, but not limited to, inhabitability or health risk due to the presence or consequence of radon gas, formaldehyde or other pollutants or contaminants, or the presence or effect of mold, mildew, toxic material, or volatile organic compound, unless such condition is a direct result of a Construction defect.
HUD Standard
Code of Federal Regulation: 24 CFR 200.926D (3) Construction requirements:
(3) Site conditions. (i) The property shall be free of those foreseeable hazards
and adverse conditions which may affect the improvements, or which may impair the customary use and enjoyment of the property. The hazards include toxic chemicals, radioactive materials, other pollution, hazardous activities, potential damage from soil or other differential ground movements, ground water, inadequate surface drainage, flood, erosion, or other hazards located on or off site. The site must meet the standards set forth in the 24 CFR part 51, and HUD Handbook… (ii) When special conditions exist or arise during construction which were unforeseen and which necessitate precautionary or hazard mitigation measures, the HUD Field Office shall require corrective work to mitigate potential adverse effects from the special conditions as necessary. Special conditions include rock formations, unstable soil or slopes, high ground water levels, springs, or other conditions which may ensure proper design, construction and satisfactory performance where these conditions are present.
§400.3.20 Minor violations of the International Residential Code, unless the construction defect is covered by the Warranty described in this Chapter.
Who defines Minor Violation?
§400.3.24 Misuse, abuse, or neglect by anyone other than the Builder or anyone providing work or material at the direction of Builder.
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