What is a Home Builder’s Warranty Agreement?
When a new construction home is completed by a home builder, the client should be confident that the manufacturer or seller they’ve hired will provide high-quality products and perform high-quality work. In the construction industry, client confidence becomes even more critical as the high standards expected of contractors directly impact safety. In such situations, warranty contracts come in handy.
A construction warranty is a legal document in which the contractor provides a covenant that guarantees to the client (homeowner) that they will perform all works following building codes and standards and project specifications without flaws or defects. Breaching such an agreement results in monetary recovery of related damages and costs for material replacement or reparation works to be carried out at the contractor's expense.
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a US federal law enacted in 1975, regulates warranty contracts. It states that while not all products and services require written guarantees, if parties conclude one, then such an agreement must comply with the Act. This law aims to prevent manufacturers from misleading clients with inappropriate and unfairly made disclaimers on the guarantees.
Types of warranties
There are two general types of contractor warranty agreements:
- Express warranty is a written or verbal guarantee from the seller that the purchased product is of a certain quality and that the seller can replace or repair it if there are any defects.
- Implied warranty is a guarantee that the purchased product operates as it should.
Builders’ warranties operate under another classification because of industry specifics:
- Time-based warranty is the contractor’s promise to provide a particular thing in a defined condition at a specified time (for example, to guarantee the construction is waterproof for a certain number of years).
- General warranty is a guarantee to perform defined works according to the project blueprints and specifications without a time reference.
Preparing a new Home builder warranty To complete your paperwork correctly, use a verified home builder’s timely-based guarantee agreement from the US Legal Forms library. This multi-state editable and printable legal template requires you to fill out the following information:
- Name and contact details of the contractor and the buyer;
- Newly-constructed house description;
- List of items that are under builder’s guarantees (can be expanded);
- List of items the builder doesn’t take responsibility for (can be changed);
- Name of the state that will govern the agreement.
The Washington Home Builder's Warranty Agreement is a legal contract that provides homeowners with protection and coverage for certain defects and issues that may arise in newly constructed homes. It is a crucial document that provides peace of mind to homebuyers, ensuring that their investment is safeguarded. The primary purpose of the Washington Home Builder's Warranty Agreement is to outline the responsibilities and obligations of both the builder and the homeowner, regarding any potential defects in the construction of the home. This agreement typically covers various elements of a home, such as the foundation, roof, plumbing, electrical systems, and other structural components. There are different types of Washington Home Builder's Warranty Agreements available, each catering to specific needs and requirements. One such type is the "Structural Warranty Agreement," which mainly focuses on defects related to the integrity and stability of the home's structure. This type of warranty provides coverage for issues like cracks in the foundation, sagging floors, or other structural deficiencies. Another type of Washington Home Builder's Warranty Agreement is the "Systems Warranty Agreement." This agreement deals with defects and malfunctions in the home's electrical, plumbing, heating, and cooling systems. It offers protection against problems like faulty wiring, leaks, inadequate heating or cooling, and other related issues. Furthermore, there may be specific warranties that cover additional aspects of a home, such as appliances, fixtures, or finishes. These warranties may vary depending on the builder or the type of home being constructed. It is crucial for homeowners to carefully review and understand the Washington Home Builder's Warranty Agreement before signing it. This agreement typically outlines the duration of the warranty, the terms and conditions for filing claims, and any exclusions or limitations on coverage. In summary, the Washington Home Builder's Warranty Agreement is a comprehensive legal contract that offers protection and coverage to homeowners against defects and issues in newly constructed homes. By having such an agreement in place, both builders and homeowners can ensure that their rights and responsibilities are clearly defined, leading to a smoother and more secure home buying experience.
