Every great builder knows that a house needs to live through a full year of seasonal change before it’s really done. That’s because changes in the weather can reveal — or cause — all sorts of issues that may not have been apparent when the keys were first handed over to you.

For example, heavy spring rains could wash away the soil around the foundation or seep into a poorly sealed basement. And in winter, ice dams could form behind an improperly installed gutter and damaged roof shingles. 

And so on. 

This is why most builders offer a one-year warranty on their new construction homes. They want to make sure the homes they build are solid, and they know they may need to come back to remedy an issue within that first year.

Every warranty is different, so it pays to read the fine print upfront. A good warranty will cover both materials and workmanship, and will include the following items:

• Carpentry
• Doors
• Drywall (including “nail pops”)
• Electrical
• Exterior siding
• Floors
• Foundations
• Garage doors
• Glass
• HVAC systems
• Insulation
• Landscaping
• Paint
• Plumbing
• Roofing
• Septic system
• Thermal and moisture issues 
• Waterproofing
• Windows

It’s just as important to know what’s not covered. There are several areas and conditions that builders often explicitly exclude from their warranties. Common exclusions are:

• Damage caused by neglect: Homeowners need to be vigilant about performing adequate maintenance, even on new construction. Things like clearing gutters, eradicating pests, maintaining ventilation, and trimming foundation plants are crucial to keeping your home in good shape. Some builders may provide a list of what’s expected on your end.

• Damage caused by outside forces: This type of damage could be caused by animals, people, or events considered to be “acts of God,” like wind damage or flooding. This also includes damage caused by contractors you hire to work on your home after construction is completed.
• Some deterioration of building materials: General wear and tear that falls within normal levels won’t be covered. This could include shrinkage or other changes that fall within industry standards or normal settling and soil movement.
• Home appliances: Consumer products like appliances or other equipment generally aren’t covered. On the bright side, these often have their own warranties, which you should be provided by the builder upon the sale of the house.