Most first-time home buyers are anxious about the whole home building process because there are so many things to think about. Home buyers frequently worry about the home builder, the perfect materials, the best location to build the house, and whether to go green or not. However, these problems can be simply solved just by looking for the right home builder in the first place, so make sure you take the time to find a home builder that suits your tastes. A lot of these firms take care of most of these stressful tasks. Sometimes, with all the comprehensive services that most home building firms provide, all the home buyer needs to do is just choose a floor plan. Everything else is under the home builder firm’s control.
What home buyers should really focus more on is the warranty. This is known as a contract that assures to repair or replace certain elements of the home, if necessary, within a certain time. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, if a home buyer is considering a home warranty, it is important to understand what it covers and to understand the process of making a warranty claim. If the home builder you are considering does not offer a home warranty you may want to find out why and think twice before choosing them.
What the warranty covers
New home warranties generally provide coverage on workmanship and materials relating to various components of the home. This includes windows, heating, air conditioning, and electrical systems. In addition, warranties also define how repairs services will be rendered. The duration of coverage is different for each component of the house as well. For example, most warranties cover doors, drywalls, and paint during the first year while plumbing and electrical systems are generally covered for two years. These durations vary for each home component and for each warranty provider as well. Hence, it is important for home buyers to review the service contract.
What most of the warranties do not cover are the expenses that an owner may incur because of a major construction defect or warranty repair. New home warranties also do not cover household appliances, components covered under a manufacturer’s warranty, and small cracks in brick, tile, cement, or drywall. For this reason it is very important to review the home warranty before choosing, even though all that paperwork may make your eyes glaze over.
Making a claim
In the untoward event of having a defect in the house, owners should make a warranty claim, sooner rather than later. The first thing to do is to read the warranty or service contract carefully to make sure that the problem is covered. Home owners should then file a claim according to the instructions in the warranty. For documentation purposes, it is also important to put a request for repair in writing. Finally, home owners should ask for a return receipt and the claim should then be handled professionally.
Home buyers should not feel anxious about their newly built homes. Most home builders are generous and are willing to offer warranty services to clients. However, it is important for first-time home buyers to remember that warranty and service contract documents should be kept secure in preparation for future incidents. Also, it is a good idea to review the warranty a home builder offers prior to choosing them to build your home. Do a search online for that builder and see what people have said about them. Are they happy or have they had issues with workmanship or refusal to honor the warranty?
Our lists help narrow down your search for a good home builder but it is important to do even more research and interview the home builder to make sure that their practices and warranties line up with your own personal goals.
Leave a Reply