house house
Password
Click Here For Login Help | Forgot Password?

Warranty Terms to Know

Glossary of Important Warranty Terms & Definitions

Each warranty book issued by HOME of Texas includes a glossary of important terms.

For your convenience, some of the applicable terms are listed here simply as a reference tool. For the full list of Warranty Terms applicable to your home, consult the warranty book that was provided for your specific property for the terms and procedures applicable to you.

Please Note: Additional terms that may be specific to a particular state are listed in the Addenda section or in that state’s warranty book. If you have questions about which warranty applies to your home, contact us:

Online Form: Enrollment Information Request
Email: enrollments@homeoftexas.com
Telephone: 717-561-4480

Builder New Home Warranty in Texas

Who/What May Be Involved

Administrator

Look at the front cover of your warranty book. If your warranty was issued by HOME of Texas (HOME), then HOME is the Administrator. If your HUD-Code manufactured home warranty was issued by MHWC, then MHWC is the Administrator. Click the link for the Warranty Company that has issued your home’s warranty.) The Administrator is neither the Warrantor nor the Insurer.

 

Arbitrator

The person appointed by the independent arbitration service to resolve an Unresolved Warranty Issue.

 

Builder

The person, corporation, partnership or other entity which participates in the HOME Limited Warranty Program and has obtained this Limited Warranty for you.

Home (or Residence)

The single-family dwelling identified on the Application for Warranty form (which may be a townhome or duplex).

 

Insurer

Warranty Underwriters Insurance Group (WUIC). (Refer to your specific warranty book for instructions on requesting warranty performance.)

 

Purchaser (or Owner)

The Purchaser includes the first buyer of the warranted Home and any and all subsequent Owners who take title within the warranty period.

 

Warrantor

The Warrantor is either your Builder for the time period specified in your warranty book or the Insurer. Refer to the warranty book issued for your property for the exact terms of responsibility.

Warranty Documentation

Application for Enrollment

The form signed at closing by you, the Purchaser, and your Builder which identifies the location, the Effective Date of Warranty and the Final Sales Price of the enrolled Home. If the Builder is participating in the HOME electronic enrollment process, the Application for Enrollment form is eliminated. This information will be included on your Warranty Confirmation.

 

Effective Date of Warranty

The date coverage begins as specified on the Application for Warranty form or on your Warranty Confirmation if your Builder is participating in the electronic enrollment process.

Limited Warranty

The terms and conditions contained in the warranty book issued for a specific property including any applicable addenda.

 

Warranty Confirmation

The document the homeowner obtains by going to confirm.homeoftexas.com. It includes your Validation Number, Effective Date of Warranty, Term of Coverage and any applicable Addenda.

Coverage Definitions

HOME offers 2 basic types of structural coverage. The type of structural coverage provided for a specific home is described in detail in the warranty book provided to you by your Builder at closing.

Major Structural Defect (MSD) Warranty Coverage

Major Structural Defect (MSD) Warranty Coverage is based on the building industry’s accepted definition of a potential structural failure. All of the following conditions must be met to constitute a Major Structural Defect:

  1. actual physical damage to one or more of the following specified load-bearing components of the Home;
  2. causing the failure of the specific major structural components; and
  3. which affects its load-bearing function to the degree that it materially affects the physical safety of the occupants of the Home.

Load-bearing components of the Home deemed to have MSD potential: roof framing members (rafters and trusses); floor framing members (joists and trusses); bearing walls; columns; lintels (other than lintels supporting veneers); girders; load-bearing beams; and foundation systems and footings.

Examples of non-load-bearing elements deemed not to have Major Structural Defect potential: non-load-bearing partitions and walls; wall tile or paper, etc.; plaster, laths or drywall; flooring and subflooring material; brick, stucco, stone, veneer, or exterior wall sheathing; any type of exterior siding; roof shingles, sheathing* and tar paper; Heating, Cooling, Ventilating, Plumbing, Electrical and mechanical systems; Appliances, fixtures or Items of Equipment; and doors, windows, trim, cabinets, hardware, insulation, paint and stains.

Check the warranty book issued specifically for your home for details. If you did not receive a sample book prior to closing, need help confirming your warranty or have lost your copy, contact HOME for assistance.

Designated Structural Element (DSE) Warranty Coverage

Designated Structural Element (DSE) Warranty Coverage is based on a set of measurable tolerance guidelines for evaluation of a potential structural failure.

Those items defined specifically in the Limited Warranty Standards provided that the element is load-bearing to the Home itself. A load-bearing structural element is one of the Designated Structural Elements listed in the Limited Warranty Standards, the principal purpose of which is to support designed dead loads in addition to its own weight. For example, floating slabs and partition walls that are not designed to carry any load other than their own are not loadbearing structural elements. This Warranty is limited to ONLY those Designated Structural Elements of the Home which exceed the tolerances explicitly set forth in the Limited Warranty Standards.

Example of DSE standards (see your warranty book for the complete list):

Observation: Concrete beam/structural cracks.
Action Required: Warrantor will correct structural cracks which exceed 1/8 in. in width.
Comments: Common shrinkage and non-structural cracks are normal and should be expected.

Miscellaneous Terms

Appliances and Items of Equipment, including Attachments and Appurtenances

Water heaters, pumps, stoves, refrigerators, compactors, garbage disposals, ranges, dishwashers, washers and dryers, bathtubs, sinks, commodes, faucets, light fixtures, switches, outlets, thermostats, furnaces and oil tanks, humidifiers, oil purifiers, air conditioning materials, in-house sprinkler systems, and similar items.

 

Arbitration

If a resolution is not reached during mediation, the next step is arbitration, a formal process conducted by an independent, neutral arbitrator to resolve disputes. We use arbitrators experienced in arbitrating residential construction matters. Unless prohibited by law, the decision of the arbitrator under our programs is binding on all parties, including both you and your Builder. There is a fee for the arbitration which is paid according to the terms spelled out in your warranty document.

 

Consequential Damages

All consequential damages including, but not limited to, damage to the Home that is caused by a warranted Defect but is not itself a warranted Defect and costs of shelter, transportation, food, moving, storage or other incidental expenses related to relocation during repairs.

 

Cooling, Ventilating and Heating Systems

All ductwork, refrigerant lines, steam and water pipes, registers, convectors, and dampers.

 

Defect

A condition of any item warranted by this Limited Warranty which exceeds the allowable tolerance specified in this Limited Warranty. Failure to complete construction of the Home or any portion of the Home, in whole or in part, is not considered a Defect.

 

Deflection (Check your specific warranty book for applicability.)

A turning or bending of a Designated Structural Element from its original position. Deflection is measured from any two endpoints and a third reference point. The reference point may be located at any distance between the two endpoints.

 

Electrical Systems

All wiring, electrical boxes and connections up to the house side of the meter base.

Mediation

We know that, in the majority of cases, the root of many disputes is the lack of communication between a Builder and a Homeowner. Sometimes, all it takes to get an issue resolved is someone to take on the role of mediator and assist the others in coming to a fair and reasonable agreement, based on the warranty standards provided. Prior to heading to formal arbitration or costly litigation, HOME does its best to mediate disputes between Members and Homeowners. Mediation is an informal process involving the Builder, the Homeowner, and the Warranty Company during the Builder’s term of responsibility. There is no charge to either side to this initial process.

 

Plumbing Systems

All pipes located within the Home and their fittings, including gas supply lines and vent pipes.

 

Sewage Disposal System (Private or Public)

This system includes, but is not limited to, all waste, drainage, sewer pipes and lines, cleanouts, tanks, pumps, drainfields, and seepage pits, outside and beyond the exterior wall of the Home.

 

Structurally Attached

This system includes, but is not limited to, all waste, drainage, sewer pipes and lines, cleanouts, tanks, pumps, drainfields and seepage pits, outside and beyond the exterior wall of the Home.

 

Unresolved Warranty Issue

All requests for warranty performance, demands, disputes, controversies and differences that may arise between the parties to this Limited Warranty that cannot be resolved among the parties. An Unresolved Warranty Issue may be a disagreement regarding:

  1. the coverages in this Limited Warranty;
  2. an action performed or to be performed by any party pursuant to this Limited Warranty;
  3. the cost to repair or replace any item covered by this Limited Warranty.

 

Water Supply System (Private or Public)

This system includes, but is not limited to, all supply and distribution pipes, fittings, valves, pumps and wells, outside the exterior wall of the Home, which supply water to the Home.

HOME of Texas Homeowner Resources

Utilize the links below for valuable warranty information.

Managing Your Warranty FAQs

How do I contact you if I have questions about my paperwork or need duplicate copies?

Contact our Enrollments Dept. at enrollments@homeoftexas.com, complete our Enrollment Information Request form online or call us at 717-561-4480.

If you need copies of your warranty documents, first determine the date of your closing.

Closing PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 1ST, 2014: Call our Enrollments Dept. to request duplicate copies of your warranty documentation (warranty book, validation sticker or application for warranty). Please note that there is a charge associated with duplicate warranty books which varies based upon the format requested (PDF or paper copy).

OR

Original homeowner AND closing AFTER NOVEMBER 1ST, 2014: Warranty documents are available online 60 DAYS AFTER CLOSING. (Ex: if closing was November 1st, then warranty documents become available online after January 1st.) If 60 days have passed since closing, click here to confirm warranty coverage online. If you still have trouble obtaining your warranty documents online after the 60 days, contact us for assistance as noted above.

Information is listed incorrectly on the Application for Enrollment form that I received at closing. Can I make the changes myself?

No, because our Application for Enrollment form is a Legal document. If you need to make a correction, please contact us.

I am moving. Is my warranty transferable to the next owner?

Yes, HOME’s Limited Warranties automatically transfer to each successive buyer throughout the warranty term. No fees to pay; No forms to complete. However, in the case of a foreclosure, please note that the warranty may be voided.

What types of things are covered under my warranty?

HOME of Texas and its Affiliates offer many different warranty options. The answer to this question depends on which warranty option was utilized for each home. Coverage varies depending on the warranty program selected by the Builder. Homeowners should review their warranty book for warranty terms and coverage details.

How does a Homeowner start the Warranty Claims Process?

The warranty book that was issued specifically for a particular home contains all the procedures to address a potential defect. Written documentation from the Homeowner in the format described in the warranty book under Requesting Warranty Performance must be sent to the Administrator (HOME of Texas) in order to begin this process. Notice can be sent by mail to the Administrator’s address or by email to warranty.resolution@homeoftexas.com. For convenience, you may also use our online form.  We do not accept telephone or fax requests at this time. You will need to provide:

  • Validation Number and Effective Date of Warranty;
  • Your Builder’s name and address;
  • Your name, address, email address and telephone number (including home, cell and work numbers);
  • A reasonably specific description of the Defect(s), (including the date on which the Defect was discovered);
  • A copy of any written notice to your Builder;
  • Photographs, if they would be helpful in describing the Defect; and
  • A copy of each and every report you have obtained from any inspector or engineer.
What is “warranty resolution”?

Mediation. In the majority of cases, the root of many disagreements is a breakdown in communication between the Builder and the Homeowner. Often, all it takes to get a problem resolved is for someone to take on the role of mediator and assist the other parties in arriving at a fair and reasonable agreement, based on the warranty standards provided. Before formal arbitration or costly litigation is used, HOME does its best to mediate disputes between Members and Homeowners. Mediation is an informal process involving the Homeowner, the Builder and HOME of Texas during the Builder’s period of responsibility. In this initial process, there is no charge to either party.

Arbitration. If the issue is not resolved during mediation, the next step is arbitration, which is a formal procedure to resolve disputes conducted by a neutral, independent arbitrator. Arbitrators used by HOME of Texas are experienced in arbitrating residential construction matters. The decision of the arbitrator under our programs is binding on all parties, including the Builder as well as the Homeowner, unless prohibited by law. Initially, the fee for the arbitration is paid by the Homeowner; however, the final decision on which party is responsible for the fee is made by the arbitrator.

Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklists

springSpring
summerSummer
fallFall
winterWinter
© Copyright 2024 HOME of Texas All rights reserved.
Back To Top