How to apply for a construction warranty

Why do you need a home construction guarantee?

A warranty is a developer's obligation to correct defects that may appear after the construction of a building and its commissioning. Typically, these obligations apply to the basic structural elements of the structure, engineering networks, systems and technological equipment. The warranty document must be correctly legally drawn up - so that the customer has the opportunity to subsequently receive free elimination of hidden defects and construction errors made through the fault of the developer.

In addition to free repairs, the advantages of having a warranty will be the following:

• financial security - the homeowner will not spend additional money on correcting other people's mistakes, and if necessary, will be able to receive reimbursement for their expenses;
• quality monitoring - the execution of warranty documents effectively contributes to the construction company's compliance with technologies and the use of high-quality building materials, since it is unprofitable for them to correct defects at their own expense;
• reliability and responsibility verification - companies that are confident in the quality of their work always offer a long warranty period and post-warranty service.

At the same time, the warranty only covers manufacturing defects and installation errors. The deadline for correcting these errors is usually specified in the contract when agreed with the customer.

What is included in a home warranty: the main provisions of the contract

Before drawing up and signing official documents, it is worth considering how a construction warranty works. Most often, the list of elements subject to warranty obligations includes:

• Constructive components - load-bearing walls and structures, foundation, floors with a roof, columns. The term of post-warranty maintenance in this case is at least 5 years from the date of completion of the object. Defects that must be corrected free of charge include cracks in load-bearing elements, roof leaks, foundation deformations.
• Engineering equipment - ventilation, water supply system, sewage, elevators, electrical network. Correction of defects by the developer in this segment is planned for a period of 3 years, providing for free repair of metering devices, communications, pipe breakages and ventilation shafts.
• Facing works - only if they were carried out by the developer. The warranty period is usually determined by a period of 1 to 3 years. Warranty obligations relate to peeling wall coverings, floor screed defects, problems with the installation of external and internal windows and doors.

However, it is noted that warranty obligations do not apply to defects caused by violation of the rules of operation of the facility, natural wear and tear of materials, improper maintenance of communications. Accidents and problems of a natural nature are also not included in the list of guarantees from the developer.

How to issue warranty obligations for a construction company

The algorithm of actions when drawing up documents with warranty obligations is as follows:

• Checking the contract. The owner must make sure that the document spells out in detail the terms and conditions of the warranty for the project, and familiarize himself with compliance with the estimate.
• Fixing defects. Even before signing the acceptance certificate, the object must be carefully inspected for defects. Their presence is described in the inspection letter or defect certificate.
• Filing claims. If defects appeared during the warranty period after the start of operation of the house, the owner must make a written claim to the contractor with a request for free repairs or compensation for costs.

If the contractor refuses to admit guilt or does not want to correct the defects, the customer has the right to file a lawsuit in court at the place of his residence or at the company's address. It is advisable to conduct an independent construction expertise beforehand.