New Home Builders in Colorado That Stand Behind Their Work
What’s one of the best ways to determine the quality of new construction homes on the market?
Many homeowners say that a quick look at the builder’s warranty speaks volumes. This is a valuable tool when determining which of the new home builders in Colorado they want to build their dream home.
You are likely researching home builders near me through an internet search to compare options. But how do you know which builder has the best quality? We have a few suggestions to aid you in your search.
A-1 Builders Stand Behind Their Product
This is where a close examination of the warranties offered comes in. Much useful information can be gleaned from these documents. A builder’s warranty safeguards homeowners from materials defects. In many cases – depending on the builder – there’s also a warranty that protects against shoddy workmanship.
Some builders offer only minimal coverage to clients who spend hundreds of thousands of dollars building new construction homes in their developments. Other builders, like Oakwood Homes, go above and beyond to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction. If you’re searching for new builds in Colorado, ask about the warranty before you sign a contract with a builder.
Oakwood Homes Stands Out
Oakwood Homes, one of the area’s most reputable new home builders in Colorado, offers a great example of the warranty buyers might expect from an area developer. We realize the magnitude of the commitment involved in buying a new home. That’s why we strive to get all the details right before homeowners move in. That being said, there are still times when follow-up repairs may be needed to correct an issue. That’s where Oakwood’s in-house warranty service company, Shazam Home Services, takes over.
Shazam Home Services works with homeowners who file claims under Oakwood’s Home Builder’s Limited Warranty and the One-Year Oakwood Customer Care Program to help them determine what’s a warrantable issue and what isn’t. They then help homeowners get the issue resolved as quickly as possible.
What Do Warranties Cover?
Everything in a new home should look brand-new and function as it’s supposed to. If it doesn’t, it needs to be corrected. Most home builders’ limited warranties cover issues that arise because of faulty materials. Sometimes additional warranties are offered that cover workmanship. Many of the home’s appliances and systems (such as the air conditioning, furnace, or garage doors) fall under separate manufacturers’ warranties. Warranties rarely cover damage or breakage caused by the homeowner (or homeowner’s guests), or issues that arise as a result of normal wear and tear on the property.
It can sometimes be difficult for homeowners to determine exactly what’s covered under warranty and what isn’t. Oakwood Homes has found that warranty claims typically fall into one of these three categories:
- Warrantable Item. Oakwood Homes provides new homes clients with a one-year warranty that covers craftsmanship and materials defects. Oakwood also offers a Construction Defect Warranty that meets state guidelines. When determining whether or not a claim is warrantable, we follow the standards set by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
- Home Maintenance. It’s quite common for homeowners to submit warranty claims for non-warrantable items that actually fall under the home maintenance category. In this case, most builders point clients toward the resources they need to get the issue corrected quickly on their own.
- Storm Damage. Builder’s warranties don’t cover storm damage from tornadoes, hail, high winds, freezing rain, or heavy snow. These occurrences are labeled “Acts of God” by the insurance industry. If homeowners suffer damage from a natural disaster, claims should be filed on the homeowner’s insurance rather than the home builder’s limited warranty.
While not every issue in new construction homes is covered under the builder’s warranty, the key to getting problems resolved promptly is knowing the right avenue to follow for help.
Tips for Warranty Claim Success
Oakwood Homes offers the following tips to homeowners for getting issues resolved as quickly as possible.
- Determine the type of issue. Before filing a claim, try to determine whether or not the issue is warrantable. If it is, should the claim be filed under the builder’s warranty, the manufacturer’s warranty, or homeowner’s insurance?
- Put it in writing. When filing any warranty claim, submit it in writing. If filing a claim online, print a copy for your records. This is the best way to track the conversation over time and ensure that nothing is missed.
- Take pictures. If possible, take pictures of the damage or issue that needs to be corrected. Submit the photos with the warranty claim, if possible. This gives customer service personnel a better idea of how to help.
- Determine the severity and urgency of the issue. When things go wrong in a house, it often seems like an emergency to those who live there. But it may not be. If you request emergency service, make sure it’s truly an emergency. Many warranty companies work Monday – Friday. They might charge extra for evening or weekend service. If the issue is life-threatening, call 911 immediately!
- Be accessible. Many warranty companies won’t come out to look at an issue unless someone is home when they arrive. Make sure a legal adult (18 or older) is available to let the adjuster in, answer questions, and get an update on next steps.
- Keep pets safe. Homeowners with pets should secure them in a safe place before warranty or repair personnel arrive. This keeps pets safe and also protects anyone who’s entering the home.
Searching for “New Homes Near Me”?
If you’re searching for new construction homes or trying to find the best new home builders in Colorado, make sure your search includes warranty information. The builders who offer the best warranties do so for a reason. They believe in what they do – building high-quality homes. That’s the type of builder you want to work with. Oakwood Homes is waiting for your call!
