If you bought a newly built home, you likely received some form of builder warranty at closing — but the coverage, duration, and process for making a claim vary enough between builders and states that it's worth actually reading your specific document rather than assuming a standard national protection applies.
The common industry structure: '1-2-10'
The FTC describes a common pattern for builder warranties: about one year for workmanship and materials, two years for some systems, and up to ten years for major structural defects. Those periods are examples, not a universal contract or legal guarantee. Read the warranty booklet and any state disclosures to see which parts, exclusions, deadlines and remedies apply to your home.
| Tier | Typical duration | What it generally covers |
|---|---|---|
| Workmanship/materials | 1 year | Fit and finish issues — doors, trim, paint, drywall, and similar workmanship defects |
| Systems | 2 years | Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC/mechanical distribution systems |
| Major structural defects | 10 years | Foundation, framing, and other load-bearing structural elements |
There is no single nationwide “1-2-10” rule that determines every new-home warranty. Some builders and third-party programs use that structure, while coverage and legal protections vary by contract, state and financing program. FHA- or VA-financed purchases can have additional warranty requirements. Check the signed documents and your state or local consumer agency before relying on a general pattern.
| Builder warranty | Appliance warranty | |
|---|---|---|
| What it may cover | Workmanship, systems, or structural items under its written terms. | The appliance under its manufacturer’s separate terms. |
| Who defines terms | Builder or third-party warranty company. | Appliance manufacturer. |
| What to check | Start dates, exclusions, notice process, and transfer rules. | Its own coverage period and claim route. |
What tends to fall outside the coverage
Warranty documents commonly exclude normal wear and tear, damage from the homeowner's own neglect or improper maintenance, cosmetic issues after the initial workmanship period, and damage from events outside the builder's control (severe weather, for example). Appliances are frequently covered under their own separate manufacturer warranties rather than the builder's home warranty, since they're products the builder installed rather than built.
What to actually do with your warranty document
- Read the actual document rather than relying on what you were told verbally at closing — the specific covered items, exclusions, and claim process are all defined in writing.
- Note the exact start date for each tier, since it's typically tied to your closing date, and mark the tier-1 and tier-2 expiration dates on your maintenance calendar so you don't miss a claim window.
- Understand the claim process before you need it — most builder warranties require written notice within a specific timeframe after you discover an issue, not whenever it's convenient to report it.
- If something arises that seems like it should be covered, document it thoroughly (photos, dates, any related conversations) before contacting the builder or warranty company.
- Keep the warranty document somewhere you can actually find it years later, since structural coverage can run a full decade and you may not remember the specific terms by the time you need them.
Why this matters for your own maintenance planning
Understanding what your warranty does and doesn't cover changes how you should prioritize your own maintenance during the covered period — an issue with a covered system is worth reporting promptly while it's still under warranty, rather than waiting and paying out of pocket for something that should have been the builder's responsibility.
If you're buying a resale home rather than a new build, ask directly whether any portion of the original builder's structural warranty might still be active and transferable, since the 10-year structural tier in a 1-2-10 style warranty is long enough to still be running years after the original owner moved out. Warranty transferability terms vary by the specific warranty company and are worth confirming in writing during a resale transaction rather than assuming coverage automatically lapsed with the first owner.
It's also worth asking your builder directly, in writing, what process they use for warranty claims specifically — some builders handle claims in-house while others route everything through the third-party warranty company that underwrites the coverage. Knowing which applies to your home before you actually need to file a claim saves real time, since the correct first call differs depending on how your particular warranty is structured.
Also confirm whether routine maintenance tasks you perform yourself, such as caulking or gutter cleaning, are a condition of keeping certain warranty items valid, since some builder warranties include maintenance obligations for the homeowner and can deny a claim tied to neglecting them.
What does the '1-2-10' new home warranty structure actually cover?
It is a common example, not a guaranteed national format: about one year for workmanship and materials, two years for some systems, and up to ten years for major structural defects. The signed warranty defines actual coverage, exclusions and deadlines.
Is a new home warranty required by law?
There is no single national 1-2-10 requirement that applies to every purchase. Builder warranties, state protections, third-party programs and some FHA/VA requirements differ. Read your documents and check state or local consumer guidance before assuming coverage is required or absent.
What's typically excluded from a new home warranty?
Common exclusions include normal wear and tear, damage from the homeowner's own neglect or improper maintenance, cosmetic issues after the initial workmanship period ends, and damage from events outside the builder's control such as severe weather. Appliances are usually covered separately under their own manufacturer warranties.
Can a new home warranty transfer if I buy a resale home?
Sometimes — the 10-year structural tier can still be active years after the original owner moved out, and transferability terms vary by the specific warranty company. Ask directly and get confirmation in writing during a resale transaction rather than assuming coverage lapsed with the first owner.
- Document the issueSave photos, the first-noticed date, and a clear description.
- Use the written claim routeSend notice within the period in the warranty terms.
- Keep the responseSave the builder or warranty company reply and cited provision.
- Follow calls in writingSummarize what was discussed and any promised action.
How to actually file a claim when something goes wrong
Check the contract for the required form, address, delivery method and deadline, and submit the claim as instructed. Put the issue in writing even if you first call a service line, keep copies and proof of delivery, and record dates and responses. Do not rely on a general deadline from another builder or website: claim windows and dispute steps vary by warranty and jurisdiction.
If you are the first owner living through the first year specifically, keep a simple running list of every minor issue you notice as it comes up, even small cosmetic ones, rather than waiting to report everything at once near the end of the workmanship year. Reporting issues as they occur creates a clearer timeline showing the problem existed within the covered period, which matters if a dispute ever arises over timing.
Follow up any verbal conversation about a claim with a written summary — an email restating what was discussed and any commitment made — so there's a clear record of when you reported the issue and what response you received. If a claim is denied and you believe it shouldn't have been, ask specifically which policy provision the denial is based on, since a denial citing a specific exclusion is easier to evaluate and potentially dispute than a vague explanation.