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Does your cover offer peace of mind?

Anthony MatteoThe West Australian
As a minimum, Western Australian builders have a six-year statutory warranty period, during which they are required to remediate confirmed construction defects, according to Summit Homes Group Building Manager Jeff Edgar.
Camera IconAs a minimum, Western Australian builders have a six-year statutory warranty period, during which they are required to remediate confirmed construction defects, according to Summit Homes Group Building Manager Jeff Edgar. Credit: stefanamer/Getty Images/iStockphoto.

While we would all prefer our experience of building a new home to be seamless and trouble free, such a large and multifaceted project is bound to invite the odd hiccup, and this is where warranties may come to the rescue.

It is very important to have a clear and concise understanding of the warranties available from the builder, according to Summit Homes Group Building Manager Jeff Edgar.

“There should be several warranties available, covering structural, workmanship, materials and maintenance/service,” he said.

“Warranties give you peace of mind that your new home is built to a high standard and that, if anything is to happen, the builder is there if you need.”

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Mr Edgar said people regularly misinterpreted warranties, which often caused confusion between builders and homeowners.

“Just as items wear out on a new vehicle and you have to get it serviced, it is the homeowner, rather than the builder or manufacturer, who replaces them,” he said.

“So is the case with new homes.

“Replacement of items due to wear and tear is not the builder’s responsibility.”

According to Mr Edgar, damage caused by storms, floods or earthquakes is regularly mistaken as being covered under a structural guarantee, however this isn’t the case.

“Usually when there’s a night of heavy rainfall or a storm, our service department gets a lot of calls,” he said.

“As a minimum, Western Australian builders have a six-year statutory warranty period, during which they are required to remediate confirmed construction defects.”

When asked about what was actually covered, Mr Edgar said the following were quite common warranties given throughout the building industry in WA.

Structural guarantees

Structural guarantees reflect the warranties and protections given against negligence or faulty workmanship by the builder. Structural failure of concrete foundations, structural brickwork and structural steel and timbers are examples of this and will be rectified by the builder at their cost.

“Damage caused by storm, tempest, floods or earthquakes are not covered by this guarantee,” Mr Edgar said.

“This warranty also only applies to the original purchaser of the home.”

Workmanship or materials warranties

According to Mr Edgar, these warranties refer to the workmanship or materials aspects such as easing and adjusting doors, window sashes, cupboard doors and catches, as well as stopping up and touching up plaster cracks.

As the duration of these warranties vary from builder to builder, it is important for customers to check and be fully aware of what you are entitled to.

“Under this warranty, we will rectify at our cost any faulty workmanship or materials installed by the builder,” Mr Edgar said.

Appliance warranties

Referring to warranties given to items such as cookers, hot water units and heaters, appliance warranties are not issued by the builder, but instead by the individual manufacturer of the appliances.

“These warranties are covered by manufacturers guarantee not by the builder,”Mr Edgar said.

“Free service within the manufacturer’s guarantee period can be obtained by contacting the manufacturer’s service department.”

CONTACT Summit Homes Group, 9317 0141, www.summithomes.com.au

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