The Open Door Blog

Your new home means a lot to you, so it goes without saying that you want to be the best homeowner you can possibly be. Knowing how to operate your HVAC system and properly maintain your hardwood floor is only part of the challenge. Where a lot of homeowners fall short is when it comes to making the most of their warranty. 

When you know your warranty and how it works, both you and your home benefit.   

So to help you avoid potential pitfalls, here are five of the biggest mistakes owners of new homes make: 

They think the PDI form is a warranty request

1. They think the PDI form is a warranty request: Under the new home warranty, the Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) Form is meant to be a record of the condition your home was in before you took ownership. Tarion does not receive a copy of it, and the only time we would ask to see it is if a dispute arises between you and your builder over a defect and we want to determine whether it existed before you moved in. To protect your warranty on items that you identified during your PDI, you need to list them on your 30-Day Form. 

2. They think Tarion is responsible for carrying out warranty repairs:  Because it is your builder who provides the new home warranty to you, it is your builder who is primarily responsible for resolving any warranty matters. Tarion’s role is to backstop your warranty, and you can ask us to intervene at specific points in the warranty process if items are not being resolved by your builder.  However, you need to work with your builder first. 

3. They miss warranty form deadlines: To make the most of your warranty coverage, you need to know when and how to submit warranty claims to Tarion. The best way to stay on top of this is to sign up for MyHome, our online service for homeowners. Not only are you able to fill out and submit warranty forms easily, but you also get e-mail reminders when your forms are due.   

4. They forget to ask Tarion for help: You submitted your warranty form to Tarion on time.  That’s great, but keep in mind that’s only the first step. The next step is knowing when you can ask Tarion for help in resolving your warranty items. Click here to find out more about how Tarion can assist. 

5. They get warranties mixed up: Some builders offer additional warranty coverage on top of the seven-year warranty they are required to provide. While this is a good thing, it often adds more forms and timelines for homeowners to juggle. Be sure to get your warranties straight and know that the seven-year mandatory new home warranty is the only one that is protected by Tarion. 

Avoiding these common mistakes will not only reduce your stress level, but also ensure that your new home gets the protection it deserves.   

If you have any questions, contact us.