François bought a new car almost 5 years ago, and its warranty is coming to an end. Being cautious, he called in his trusted mechanic to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle and see if any items still under warranty could be repaired at the manufacturer’s expense. We’re all familiar with this scenario, but what about our homes? Does a similar service exist? Stay tuned as our inspectors explain the importance of an end-of-warranty inspection… for your home!

When we apply the principle of an end-of-warranty inspection to a car, everyone immediately grasps its importance. It’s when we transpose this exercise to a house that we realize how much less popular an end-of-warranty inspection is for a new home. And yet, the value of a house is not even comparable to that of a car!

So how do you explain this lack of interest in end-of-warranty inspections for new homes? Ignorance, quite simply.

Many new-home buyers are unaware of their rights and recourses when it comes to receiving their new home and the warranties that go with it. The pre-delivery inspection – the inspection of a new home before you take possession of it – must be carried out when the builder hands over the keys to the buyers. This is when the building legally changes hands and the mandatory new-home warranty plan kicks in. If you’d like to learn more about this inspection, we have a dedicated article available on our website.

If your home is eligible for the new home warranty, you should be aware that this warranty has several components, each with its own specific duration. For example, the warranty on defects is valid for one year following acceptance of the house. Defects are defined as any work that has not been properly done or carried out in accordance with contractual conditions and the rules of the trade.

In the case of hidden defects, i.e. a serious construction defect that is not apparent, that predates the acceptance of the new home and is unknown at the time of acceptance, the warranty is valid for a period of 3 years, still after taking possession of the dwelling.

Finally, the warranty for defects in design, construction or workmanship protects you for a period of five years following completion of the work. Defects in construction, design or execution are serious defects, whether or not apparent at the time of purchase, affecting the solidity of the building or causing serious inconvenience.

So, as we already do with our cars, why not hire a building professional before the end of each warranty to take a look at the expiring items to see if you’re eligible for corrective work at no charge? As a new home buyer, this warranty protects you and gives you recourse. Our inspectors are here to help you take advantage of your rights and make the most of your purchase!