Before accepting your newly built home, one important question every homeowner should ask is:
“What warranty do I get after turnover?”
A construction warranty gives homeowners assurance that valid workmanship-related concerns may be inspected, corrected, or repaired after the project is turned over, subject to the signed contract, approved scope, exclusions, and proper homeowner maintenance.
A good contractor should not only build the house. The contractor should also explain what happens after turnover.
Why Warranty Matters After Turnover
A home may look complete during turnover, but some issues may only appear after actual use.
Examples include:
Minor leaks
Door alignment concerns
Electrical outlet issues
Plumbing concerns
Paint touch-ups
Loose fixtures
Roof or gutter concerns
Waterproofing-related concerns
Cabinet or hardware adjustments
A clear warranty process protects both the homeowner and contractor because it defines what is covered, what is not covered, how concerns should be reported, and how repairs will be handled.
Under the Civil Code provisions on contracts for a piece of work, a contractor is expected to deliver work with the qualities agreed upon and without defects that reduce its value or fitness for use; the owner may require correction of qualifying defects under the law’s stated conditions.
What Is Usually Covered by a Limited Home Warranty?
A limited home warranty usually covers defects caused by contractor workmanship or installation within the approved scope of work.
Possible covered items may include:
Warranty Area | Possible Coverage |
Workmanship | Installation defects, poor workmanship, minor correction items |
Plumbing | Leaks caused by installation error |
Electrical | Faulty outlet, switch, or wiring issue due to workmanship |
Roofing | Leaks caused by installation defect |
Waterproofing | Failure caused by improper application within covered scope |
Doors and windows | Alignment or installation issues |
Tiles and finishes | Loose tiles, grout concerns, or installation-related defects |
Cabinets and hardware | Alignment, hinge, or handle issues caused by installation |
Paint finish | Touch-ups or workmanship-related paint issues |
Warranty coverage should always be written in the contract or turnover documents.
Recommended Warranty Periods
Warranty periods may vary depending on the contractor, project type, material supplier, and signed agreement.
A practical limited warranty guide may look like this:
Item | Suggested Warranty Period |
General workmanship | 6 months to 1 year |
Plumbing installation | 6 months to 1 year |
Electrical installation | 6 months to 1 year |
Roofing installation | 6 months to 1 year |
Waterproofing application | 6 months to 1 year |
Doors and windows | 6 months |
Tile installation | 6 months |
Cabinetry and built-ins | 6 months |
Paint finish | 3 to 6 months |
Supplier-provided fixtures | Based on supplier/manufacturer warranty |
For major structural collapse issues, Philippine law has separate provisions. Civil Code Article 1723 states that an engineer or architect may be liable if a building collapses within fifteen years due to plan/specification defects or ground defects, and the contractor may also be responsible if collapse happens within the same period because of construction defects, inferior materials furnished by the contractor, or violation of contract terms.
What Is Not Usually Covered?
A limited home warranty does not mean every concern after turnover is automatically free for repair.
Common exclusions may include:
Normal wear and tear
Owner misuse or negligence
Lack of maintenance
Unauthorized repairs
Third-party modifications
Damage caused by drilling, cutting, or alteration
Force majeure such as flood, typhoon, earthquake, fire, or landslide
Pest damage
Clogged drains caused by improper use
Hairline cracks caused by normal settlement or temperature changes
Damage caused by client-supplied defective materials
Product defects covered by supplier or manufacturer warranty
New requests after turnover
Items excluded from the signed contract
Works not part of the approved scope
This is why the warranty section should be clear before signing the final acceptance.
Warranty vs Punchlist: What Is the Difference?
Many homeowners confuse punchlist and warranty.
Punchlist
A punchlist covers items found before or during turnover.
Examples:
Missing outlet cover
Paint touch-up
Unfinished trim
Loose handle
Pending fixture installation
Cabinet alignment issue
Warranty
Warranty covers qualified concerns found after turnover within the warranty period.
Examples:
Faucet leak due to installation
Electrical outlet issue due to workmanship
Roof leak due to installation defect
Door misalignment due to workmanship
Variation Order
A variation order is a new request or change outside the original scope.
Examples:
Add outlet
Change tiles
Add cabinet
Upgrade fixtures
Add partition
Change paint color
Variation orders are not warranty items.
What Should Be Given During Turnover?
Before final turnover, homeowners should ask for proper documentation.
Recommended turnover documents:
Final acceptance form
Punchlist closure form
Warranty guide
Warranty period details
List of covered and excluded items
Keys and access items
Approved variation order summary
Final billing statement
Maintenance reminders
Supplier warranties, if applicable
As-built plans, if included
Photos of completed project
A proper turnover process helps avoid confusion after the client moves in.
How to File a Warranty Claim
Warranty concerns should be reported properly and documented.
Step 1: Report the Concern in Writing
The homeowner should provide:
Name
Project address
Turnover date
Area of concern
Description of issue
Photos or videos
Date issue was noticed
Any temporary action taken
Avoid verbal-only reporting.
Step 2: Contractor Reviews the Concern
The contractor will check if the concern is:
Within warranty period
Within approved project scope
Caused by workmanship
Caused by product defect
Caused by owner use
Caused by third-party work
Caused by force majeure
A new request or variation order
Step 3: Site Inspection
The contractor may schedule an inspection depending on urgency.
Suggested response priority:
Concern Type | Suggested Action |
Electrical safety issue | Immediate priority |
Active water leak | Urgent inspection |
Roofing leak | Inspect weather permitting |
Door/window issue | Scheduled inspection |
Paint/tile/cabinet issue | Scheduled correction review |
Cosmetic concern | Review based on warranty terms |
Step 4: Classification
After inspection, the concern may be classified as:
Classification | Meaning |
Covered Warranty | Contractor workmanship-related issue |
Not Covered | Due to misuse, wear, third-party work, or exclusion |
Supplier Warranty | Product issue handled by supplier/manufacturer |
Client-Supplied Material Issue | Material problem outside contractor supply |
Variation Request | New or changed work |
Further Evaluation | Cause still needs checking |
Step 5: Repair and Closure
For covered items, the contractor should schedule repair, document the correction, test the item, and ask the client to verify.
A warranty claim should be closed only after:
Repair is completed
Area is cleaned
Concern is tested
Completion photo is taken
Client or representative confirms status
Homeowner Responsibilities After Turnover
A warranty works best when the homeowner also maintains the house properly.
Homeowners should:
Clean roof gutters regularly
Keep floor drains clear
Avoid flushing solids into drains
Avoid overloading outlets
Report leaks early
Do not allow unauthorized repair before inspection
Maintain bathroom sealants
Keep rooms ventilated
Protect cabinets from moisture
Avoid drilling walls without checking pipe and electrical locations
Follow proper use of fixtures and appliances
Warranty may be affected if the damage is caused by misuse, negligence, lack of maintenance, or third-party alteration.
Questions to Ask Your Contractor About Warranty
Before turnover, ask:
What is the warranty period?
What is covered?
What is not covered?
When does the warranty start?
How do I report concerns?
Who will inspect the issue?
How fast will urgent concerns be handled?
Are plumbing and electrical works covered?
Are roof leaks covered?
Are client-supplied materials covered?
Are supplier warranties separate?
Is punchlisting completed before warranty starts?
What voids the warranty?
Will warranty repairs be documented?
Who do I contact after turnover?
Red Flags in Warranty Terms
Be careful if the contractor:
Does not provide written warranty terms
Says “warranty included” but gives no details
Does not explain exclusions
Has no claim process
Has no punchlisting process
Does not document turnover
Gives only verbal promises
Does not clarify client-supplied materials
Does not explain maintenance responsibilities
A trusted contractor should clearly explain after-build support.
Sample Limited Home Warranty Statement
WallPro Systems & Construction Inc. provides limited home warranty support for qualified workmanship-related concerns within the approved project scope and warranty period stated in the contract. Warranty claims are subject to inspection, validation, proper homeowner use, maintenance, and applicable exclusions.
This warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, owner misuse, lack of maintenance, unauthorized modifications, third-party damage, force majeure, supplier product defects, client-supplied material defects, excluded works, or new requests after turnover.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What warranty do I get after house turnover?
You may receive a limited workmanship warranty depending on your contract. It may cover qualified installation or workmanship defects within the approved scope and warranty period.
2. Does warranty cover all repairs?
No. Warranty usually covers only qualified workmanship-related issues. Normal wear and tear, misuse, lack of maintenance, third-party work, and excluded items are usually not covered.
3. When does the warranty start?
Warranty usually starts from the date of final acceptance, completion certificate, or key turnover, depending on the signed documents.
4. Are client-supplied materials covered?
Usually, contractor warranty is limited to installation workmanship only. Product defects, shortages, and supplier issues are normally handled by the client or supplier.
5. Is punchlist the same as warranty?
No. Punchlist covers items found before or during turnover. Warranty covers qualified concerns discovered after turnover within the warranty period.
6. Can WallPro provide after-turnover support?
Yes. WallPro Systems & Construction Inc. can provide a clear turnover, punchlisting, and limited warranty process based on the approved project scope and contract terms.
Before accepting turnover, do not ask only:
“Is the house finished?”
Ask:
“What warranty do I get after turnover?”
A clear warranty gives homeowners confidence, protects the contractor-client relationship, and provides a fair process for handling valid workmanship concerns after move-in.
The best warranty is written, explained, documented, and supported by proper punchlisting.
Planning to build your house in Cagayan de Oro?
WallPro Systems & Construction Inc. can help you build with clear scope, proper documentation, punchlisting, turnover guidance, and limited home warranty support.
Message WallPro today before you build.
Build with assurance. Build with clarity. Build with WallPro.
