What Your Builder Should Stand Behind
One of the biggest advantages of buying a new construction home over an existing home is the warranty. When you buy a house that is 10 or 20 years old, you are buying whatever condition it is in. When you build new, you get warranty protection that covers defects in materials and workmanship for a defined period after construction is complete.
But not all warranties are the same, and understanding what yours covers (and what it does not) is important.
Types of Warranties on New Construction
Builder Warranty
This is the warranty your builder provides directly. It typically covers:
- Workmanship and materials (1 year): This covers defects in the work performed by the builder and their subcontractors. Things like cracked drywall seams, paint issues, sticking doors, plumbing leaks, and similar quality issues.
- Mechanical systems (2 years): This covers your plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. If a pipe leaks because of a bad joint or your HVAC system has a defect, this warranty covers the repair.
- Structural components (10 years): This covers the structural integrity of the home, meaning the foundation, load-bearing walls, roof structure, and other elements critical to the building's structural safety.
These time periods are common in the industry, but they can vary by builder. Read your warranty document carefully.
Manufacturer Warranties
Individual products in your home come with their own warranties from the manufacturer:
- Roofing materials: 20 to 50 years depending on the product
- HVAC equipment: 5 to 10 years on parts, varies on compressor
- Appliances: 1 to 5 years depending on the brand
- Windows: 10 years to lifetime, depending on the manufacturer
- Water heater: 6 to 12 years
These are separate from your builder warranty. If your dishwasher breaks 3 years after move-in, that is an appliance manufacturer warranty claim, not a builder warranty claim.
Florida Statutory Warranty
Florida law provides implied warranties on new construction that exist regardless of what your written warranty says:
- Implied warranty of fitness means the home should be suitable for habitation
- Implied warranty of merchantability means the home should be built with adequate materials and workmanship
- Florida's statute of limitations for latent construction defects is 4 years from the time the defect is discovered (or should have been discovered), with a 10-year statute of repose from the date of completion
These statutory protections exist on top of your written builder warranty.
How to File a Warranty Claim
- Document the issue with photos, dates, and a written description of the problem.
- Contact your builder in writing. Email is best because it creates a record with a timestamp.
- Give the builder reasonable time to respond. Most warranties specify a response timeframe, often 30 to 60 days for non-emergency issues.
- Allow the builder to inspect and repair. Under Florida's Right to Repair law (Chapter 558), the builder has the right to inspect the defect and offer a repair before you can file a lawsuit.
- Keep records of everything. Every email, every photo, every repair visit.
What Can Void Your Warranty
Be aware of these common warranty exclusions:
- Normal wear and tear. Warranties cover defects, not normal aging of materials.
- Homeowner modifications. If you modify the electrical system, plumbing, or structure without a licensed professional, you may void the warranty on those systems.
- Failure to maintain. Not changing HVAC filters, not maintaining caulking and sealants, or ignoring known water intrusion can void related warranty claims.
- Cosmetic settling. Minor drywall cracks, nail pops, and concrete slab hairline cracks are typically considered normal settling and may not be covered after the first year.
- Acts of nature. Hurricane damage, flooding, lightning strikes, and similar events are insurance claims, not warranty claims.
What to Do at Your One-Year Walkthrough
Most builders offer a one-year walkthrough before the workmanship warranty expires. This is your chance to document everything. Walk every room, check every door and window, run every faucet, test every outlet, and look at every surface. Make a comprehensive list and submit it to your builder in writing.
Do not wait until month 13 to report a year-one issue. The warranty clock does not stop.
The Bottom Line
A good warranty backed by a reputable builder gives you peace of mind that your investment is protected. But a warranty is only as good as the company standing behind it. That is why choosing a builder with a solid reputation and a track record of honoring their commitments matters as much as the warranty document itself.
At J&N StructureWorks, we stand behind every home we build. Our warranty covers workmanship, systems, and structural components, and we respond to warranty requests promptly. Your home is our reputation.