Structural Warranty
Also known as: 10-Year Structural Warranty, Structural Defect Warranty
A warranty that covers major structural components of the home — foundation, load-bearing walls, roof framing, and floor systems. Typically the longest warranty offered by builders (10 years).
Detailed Explanation
The structural warranty covers the bones of the home — the components that keep it standing. This typically includes the foundation, load-bearing walls and columns, roof and floor trusses, and structural framing.
While 10 years is the most common duration for structural warranties, the exact coverage can vary. Some builders' structural warranties are provided through a third-party warranty company, which may survive the builder's bankruptcy.
Structural warranty claims tend to be the most expensive and contentious. Builders often argue that issues like foundation cracks are cosmetic rather than structural, or that the buyer's actions (landscaping changes, improper drainage) caused the problem.
In Your Contract
The structural warranty is typically detailed in the builder's warranty document, which may be separate from the purchase agreement. Look for the specific definition of "structural defect" — it may be narrower than you expect.
Key Points
- 1Covers foundation, load-bearing walls, roof structure, and floor systems.
- 2Typically 10 years — the longest builder warranty period.
- 3The definition of "structural defect" may be narrow.
- 4Third-party structural warranties may survive the builder's bankruptcy.
- 5Structural claims are often contested — document everything thoroughly.
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