Owning a home in California for the first time can be exciting and overwhelming. Choosing to maintain a home in California can also be costly. You will need proper help, especially if your home components start breaking down.
This is where a California home warranty plan can come in handy. Below are the best home warranty plans for a first-time homeowner in California.
Builder’s Warranty
This type of warranty is for homeowners of newly constructed homes. This limited warranty comes from the builders of the new house. The construction company responsible for erecting the new home will provide a builder’s warranty on its work. The warranty may be a separate document or part of the sales contract.
You can consult a lawyer about this warranty because builders are not required by law to provide such warranties. This type of warranty is different from a home warranty plan. The maximum period on a builder’s warranty is a combination of periods. It may last for one, two, or 10 years. This warranty may also include the following:
- 10-year warranty for the home’s structural defects
- One-year warranty for materials and labor
- Two-year protection for mechanical defects (HVAC, electrical, plumbing)
Some of the vital parts (roofing, paint, carpeting, and tiles) of this warranty expire right away. Paying attention to your own responsibilities as the new homeowner can help you maximize a builder’s warranty. There may be some detailed maintenance instructions for you to follow. Ignoring these may cause the builder to deny you of coverage under this warranty.
Getting a new builder’s warranty could take time. In most cases, the builder wants to limit responsibility. You need to make sure you get the most coverage.
Below are the supplies the warranty covers:
- Electrical carpentry
- Garage doors
- Concrete floors and foundations
- Dry basement
- Windows and doors
- Glass
- Plumbing
- Shingles
- Roofing
- Landscaping
- Insulation
- Cooling and heating
- Septic system
- Waterproofing
- Moisture and thermal cover
A builder’s warranty typically does not cover the following:
- Insect damage
- Household appliances
- Defects from work after the completion of the builder’s work
- Condensation or dampness from the homeowner’s failure to provide proper ventilation
- Expansion and shrinkage of the house
- Weather-related issues
- Normal pain fading
- Minor cracking or joint shrinking.
That is why you need a good home warranty plan. This warranty will provide coverage for your appliances and household systems. A builder’s warranty can only offer coverage on the workmanship and materials for a limited time. It could cover the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical between six months and 2 years.
Home Warranty
This type of warranty is much like service contracts or insurance policies. A home warranty is typically considered a good idea for most new homeowners. It can cover structural elements and products in a residential structure. A home warranty plan can cover major home systems, including additional fixtures. It can also provide coverage to gas lines, spas, pools, and sewers.
Below are more items under the protection of a home warranty:
- Central vacuums
- Heating and air conditioning ductwork
- Doorbells
- Water softeners
- Built-in food centers
- Ceiling fans
- Smoke detectors
- Well pumps
A reliable home warranty plan can cover the repair and replacement of products that have expired manufacturer’s warranties.
The Difference Between a Builder’s Warranty and a Home Warranty
Knowing the difference between these two home protection plans is important if you want to buy a newly built home. A builder’s warranty is for a remodel or new construction by a builder. It is a warranty from a third-party provider or the builder. If you want to avoid paying costly repair bills, you can use your home warranty plan. This will need a monthly or yearly payment. It covers many items a builder’s warranty does not.
The main difference between a builder’s warranty and a home warranty is the focus. A builder’s warranty has a B2B (business-to-business) focus. It prioritizes the businesses involved in the construction of the home. A home warranty has a B2C (business-to-consumer) focus. The consumer or homeowner is the priority of home warranty providers.
Builder’s Warranties and Home Warranty Plans are Ideal for the New Homeowner
New homeowners like you need support in proper home maintenance. A builder’s warranty could help you if you bought a newly constructed home. On the other hand, a home warranty plan can help protect your home systems and appliances when the builder’s and manufacturer’s warranties expire.
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