Builder and Contractor refuse to honor the one year builder warranty (sale, appliances)

[tamagoliu]

Hello , I can really use some advise here.

I purchased a new home in May 2009, the home was built in 2007 as a standing inventory. At the time of purchase I was told I have 1 year home warranty, but when I call for home warranty repair, I was told by the "contractor" that since they finished their work back in 2007, it is now out of warranty.



What are my options?

Thanks and happy holiday.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by tamagoliu

Hello , I can really use some advise here.

I purchased a new home in May 2009, the home was built in 2007 as a standing inventory. At the time of purchase I was told I have 1 year home warranty, but when I call for home warranty repair, I was told by the "contractor" that since they finished their work back in 2007, it is now out of warranty.

What are my options?

Thanks and happy holiday.

What do you mean by "told"...? Do you have it in writing?

May be worth talking to a lawyer.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Generally, all builders give a "one year" warranty on the whole house. That being said, there are things that go into a home that are warranted by the manufacturers themselves. Here's where it gets complicated- appliances; i.e., furnace, w/heater, d/washer, range, etc., manufacturers go by registered serial numbers. If that particular appl., has a serial number that is easily 2-3yrs old- they obviously are not going to honor a warranty.
So, now it falls on the builder to make good on the "one year warranty".
All builders use subcontractors to 'build' their houses. Those sub's are contracted through the builder to honor their work for a period of one year. Again, here it gets complicated.
If the builder has standing inventory, and that inventory sits for an extended period of time (more than one year) who has the ultimate responsibility for a warranty? Again, it should fall on the builder (as mentioned by "rc", check your contract).
If, the sub isn't honoring, then the builder isn't doing his best to maintain his relationship; not only with you, but also the contractor.
Subcontractors are weaseling out of work left and right because of (housing slump) standing inventory. And the builder(s) didn't have the forethought to see the potential problem down the road.
The end result I'm affraid will be arbitration. Unless you bought from a national builder- then the threat of arbitration will probably get things fixed (this is not the kind of publicity they need- when they need every sale they can get).

[tamagoliu]

Thanks for the valuable information. I've spoke with the builder and they agree to send someone out to look at the problems I have.

We'll see what will happen next...


Thanks again for all the support.

Originally Posted by K'ledgeBldr

Generally, all builders give a "one year" warranty on the whole house. That being said, there are things that go into a home that are warranted by the manufacturers themselves. Here's where it gets complicated- appliances; i.e., furnace, w/heater, d/washer, range, etc., manufacturers go by registered serial numbers. If that particular appl., has a serial number that is easily 2-3yrs old- they obviously are not going to honor a warranty.
So, now it falls on the builder to make good on the "one year warranty".
All builders use subcontractors to 'build' their houses. Those sub's are contracted through the builder to honor their work for a period of one year. Again, here it gets complicated.
If the builder has standing inventory, and that inventory sits for an extended period of time (more than one year) who has the ultimate responsibility for a warranty? Again, it should fall on the builder (as mentioned by "rc", check your contract).
If, the sub isn't honoring, then the builder isn't doing his best to maintain his relationship; not only with you, but also the contractor.
Subcontractors are weaseling out of work left and right because of (housing slump) standing inventory. And the builder(s) didn't have the forethought to see the potential problem down the road.
The end result I'm affraid will be arbitration. Unless you bought from a national builder- then the threat of arbitration will probably get things fixed (this is not the kind of publicity they need- when they need every sale they can get).