Most newly built homes come with some form of New Home Warranty. You should always check with the builder and never assume that the home is covered. Regina home builders must qualify for the warranty programs, not the home. The New Home Warranty program is a wonderful guarantee on a home that has no prior history. The new home warranty is put in place to protect buyers from Regina home builders who might have built a faulty product or from defects that are out of the homeowner's control! There are two kinds of home warranty: progressive new home warranty and Saskatchewan new home warranty.
What is the difference between Home Insurance and New Home Warranty?
Home Insurance protects you if the homes structure and/or its contents are stolen, lost or damaged as a result of a criminal act or from acts of nature like hail or fire. The home insurance policy will list the exact conditions and it is MANDATORY to have home insurance in place at the time of the home purchase. Home insurance policies vary and cover a range of different things so be sure to research carefully.
Home Warranty ensures the framework and its systems of the home are working properly. If a hail storm damages your shingles to the point of repair, that is something home insurance may cover. If you move in and your window is leaking two months later, that is something New Home Warranty may cover.
If anything goes wrong with my new home, will Regina Home Builders fix the problem?
Yes, if it is the responsibility of the home builder. In new homes, appliances usually come with warranty from the manufacturer, not the builder. So, if your Kitchen Aid dishwasher stops working, it is Kitchen Aid you must contact. This also applies to heating and cooling systems. The Regina Home Builder will usually do their very best to help you with the issue and guide you in the right direction.
The following appliances may have a warranty: dishwasher, fridge, stove, washer, dryer, microwave, furnace, air conditioning and alarm system.
When does New Home Warranty expire?
New Home Warranty expires at different times throughout the coverage. For example:
WORKMANSHIP AND MATERIALS PROTECTION- ONE YEAR
All Registered Builders are required to warrant that the house is constructed in accordance with the building standards prescribed by the Province of Saskatchewan and the New Home Warranty "Construction Performance Standards" that the house is free from defects in workmanship and materials for a period of one year from the date of possession.
WATER LEAKS PROTECTION - TWO YEARS
Registered Builders warrant that the building envelope (roof, exterior cladding, windows, and doors) and the basement foundation walls will be free of exterior water penetration for two years from original occupancy
MAJOR STRUCTURAL DEFECTS PROTECTION - TEN YEARS
All Registered builders warrant that your home will be protected against Major Structural Defects for ten years from the date of possession. Major Structural Defects mean defects in workmanship or material which have or are likely to have an adverse effect on the performance of the load-bearing portion of the home such as footings, piles, basement walls, beams, floor joists, teleposts, load-bearing walls, and roof trusses.
To review, if you try to submit a claim that would originally be covered under first or second-year coverage, New Home Warranty will most likely not cover it. Regina home builders are normally very willing to help their clients when they are in trouble so don’t be afraid to reach out to them.
Does the homeowner have minimal home maintenance responsibility?
Having a New Home Warranty does not negate the basic responsibility to maintain the home.
If the eaves fall off because the homeowner didn’t clean the gutters for 2 years, that is not covered under new home warranty. If the homeowner does not use the heating and cooling systems properly which can cause humidity damage and damage to the system itself, that will not be covered under New Home Warranty.
The homeowner must still replace furnace filters, take precautions as to what goes down the drains and properly winterize the home.
Will Regina Home Builders resist or will it be difficult to file a claim?
Most people who have filed a claim with New Home Warranty have been successful and have found it’s a fairly simple process. Regina Home Builders will do their best to correct issues directly correlated to their work because they want the new homeowner to be happy.
If there is an emergency in your home and it needs to be fixed immediately, like a broken furnace in the middle of a Saskatchewan winter, a plumbing company will be able to fix it before the home builder or new home warranty can step in. Go ahead and have the plumbing company restore your heat and submit the receipt to the home builder or New Home Warranty once it's determined who is at fault.
New Home Warranty is also transferable to new owners while the coverage is intact!
Contact Me
If you have questions about New Home Warranty or Regina Home Builders, contact me at 306-552-7047 or fill out my online contact form!
Kelsey Smith Is Regina’s Choice
Choosing the right Realtor® is key to ensure a positive and successful real estate transaction. Kelsey Smith promises to deliver the education and time necessary to buy or sell your Regina home. Call 1-306-552-7047 and rest easy knowing you have made the right choice.