A new-build home warranty is a written, limited promise about specified construction defects—not a guarantee that every fault or repair cost will be covered. The warranty document and local law determine which items qualify, when cover starts and ends, how quickly you must notify the provider, and where to send a claim. For a U.S. starting point, the Federal Trade Commission describes common coverage periods, but they are not universal guarantees.
What does a new-build home warranty cover?
A builder warranty generally covers workmanship or materials on specified parts of a newly built home, subject to the warranty’s terms, exclusions and claim process. The FTC’s general U.S. consumer guidance describes these typical periods:
| Typical period in FTC guidance | Examples of coverage described |
|---|---|
| One year | Workmanship and materials on many components, such as siding and stucco, doors and trim, drywall and paint. |
| Two years | Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC), plumbing and electrical systems. |
| Up to ten years | Some builders offer coverage for major structural defects; the FTC gives a roof that could collapse as an example. |
These periods are the FTC’s general descriptions of many builder warranties, not a statutory promise that applies to every home. Check your own warranty for its coverage start date, covered components, definitions of a defect, maintenance duties, exclusions and notice deadline.
What may be excluded?
The FTC says builder warranties usually do not cover household appliances, small cracks in brick, tile, cement or drywall, components covered by a manufacturer’s warranty, or consequential costs such as temporary accommodation while repairs are made. The precise wording matters: local law or the policy may provide different rights.
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A builder warranty is also different from a separately purchased home warranty. The FTC describes a home warranty as a paid service contract that may cover appliances or systems such as air conditioning. It may duplicate a manufacturer’s coverage, cover only part of a product or make repairs difficult to obtain; buying one does not expand the builder warranty.
How to make a builder warranty claim
- Find the controlling documents. Gather the warranty certificate or policy, purchase and build documents, and enrolment details. Confirm whether claims go to the builder, a third-party warranty provider, an insurer or a public scheme.
- Check each defect against the terms. Record the component, exact location, what is happening, when it began and whether it is worsening. Compare it with the covered defects, exclusions, maintenance requirements and coverage period.
- Follow the notice rules and deadline. Use the required form, portal, address or other official channel. Submit the claim in writing even if you have already called. For urgent problems, use any available hotline as well as creating a written record.
- Document the issue. Attach dated, clearly labeled photos and relevant correspondence. Keep copies of everything submitted and proof of delivery. The Victorian Building and Plumbing Commission advises claimants to describe where the issue is, label photos and link them to the relevant defect items.
- Keep a timeline. Log calls, names, dates, commitments, inspections and repair attempts. In U.S. guidance, the FTC suggests certified mail with return receipt as one way to document receipt of a written repair request.
- Escalate a denial or inadequate repair. Ask for the decision and reasons in writing. Check the policy’s complaint, appeal and dispute clauses, then contact the relevant local regulator or consumer body. Do not assume a particular route—such as arbitration, court or an ombudsman—is available without checking the governing rules.
An informal builder visit may not count as formal notice. In the claim process BC Housing describes, repairs offered by a builder without written notice to the warranty provider do not constitute a formal claim.
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How long do you have to claim?
There is no single deadline for all new-build warranties. The policy, the kind of defect and local law can each affect the time limit. Check the deadline before waiting for a builder visit or attempting repairs yourself.
United States
The FTC advises homeowners to follow the warranty’s claim instructions, make repair requests in writing and keep records. Many new-home warranties offer or require mediation and arbitration for disputes. The FTC also says FHA and VA require builders to purchase third-party warranties for homes financed through those programs. This is general U.S. guidance, not a substitute for state-specific advice.
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Victoria, Australia
Victoria’s Home Warranty Scheme commenced on 1 July 2026 and applies to eligible domestic building contracts signed on or after that date. The State Government of Victoria says eligible work must be for homes up to three storeys and contracts worth more than AUD 20,000. Previously issued Domestic Building Insurance policies remain with the insurer that issued them; they do not transfer to the new scheme. The Building and Plumbing Commission says a claim for defective or non-compliant work generally must be made within 12 months of when the owner first knew or reasonably should have known about the issue. Claims for accommodation, removal and storage costs generally must be made within 28 days after those costs were incurred; other timeframes may apply. These rules are specific to Victoria.
Alberta, Canada
Alberta’s New Home Buyer Protection Act requires minimum warranty coverage for new homes. The provincial guidance directs homeowners to check the coverage dates and contact their warranty provider, which assesses claims and works with the builder.
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British Columbia, Canada
BC Housing explains that coverage depends on the defects listed in the policy and that the formal claim steps matter. Its guidance says a builder’s repair offer without written notice to the provider is not a formal claim under the process it describes.
Ontario, Canada
Ontario’s statute provides vendor warranties concerning workmanlike construction, freedom from material defects, habitability, compliance with the Ontario Building Code and freedom from major structural defects, subject to exclusions and regulations. Use the current statute and Tarion or the appropriate official process for operative claim steps; the statutory description alone does not establish every deadline.
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What to check before you submit
- The named warranty provider and official claim channel.
- The coverage start date, expiry date and the deadline for reporting this particular issue.
- Whether the component or defect is covered, and whether an exclusion or maintenance condition applies.
- The required notice format, supporting documents and proof-of-delivery method.
- The written reason for any denial, and the available complaint or dispute process.
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