A.    Site Work    :    Back to Top

A.    Site Work

1.  Site Grading

a.     Settling of ground around foundation, utility trenches or other filled areas interferes with water draining away from the Home

       1

Builder will fill settled areas which affect the proper drainage.

Install guttering around the Home.  Remove and replace shrubs, sod or other landscaping affected by the placement of the fill.

2.  Site Drainage

a.     Improper drainage of the site

       1

Builder will establish the proper grades and swales (sloped low areas) for water to properly drain away from the Home.  Water will not stand or pond within 10 feet of the Home for extended periods after a rain (usually not more than 24 hours).  For swales which drain other areas or where sump pumps discharge; a longer time is not unusual.  It is normal for water to stand after a heavy rainfall.  Grading or ponding determinations will not be made while there is frost or snow on the ground, or while the ground is saturated or frozen.

Maintain the grades and swales after they have been properly established by Builder.

Insure established drainage patterns are not impeded by landscaping, decking, patios, pools, driveways, walls, etc which You install.  Do not change the grade of the soil away from the foundation by building planters, raised beds, or other blocking construction.  Damage caused by changes in drainage and grading is not covered.

Where a sump pit has been installed by Builder but the sump pump was not contracted for or installed by Builder, You must install a properly sized pump in attempt to correct the condition.

B.    Concrete    :    Back to Top

B.    Concrete

1.  Cast-in-place concrete

a.     Cracks in basement walls, or foundation walls, stem walls or floor slabs

       1

Cracks are not unusual in concrete .  Builder will repair by surface patching cracks more than 1/8" wide.

b.     Cracks in basement floor

       1

Minor cracks in basement floors are normal.  Builder will repair cracks more than 3/16" wide or 3/16" in vertical displacement.

c.     Cracks in slab in attached garage

       1

Builder will repair cracks in garage slabs more than 1/4" wide or 1/4" in vertical displacement.

d.     Uneven concrete floors or slabs

       1

Concrete floors in rooms designed for habitability (as living space) will not have pits, depressions, or raised surfaces greater than 1/2" in 30".  Builder will repair these defects.

e.     Cracks in concrete slab-on-grade floors under finished flooring

       1

Builder will repair cracks which rupture the finished flooring material so the cracks are not readily apparent when the finished flooring material is in place.  (See also Performance Standard G., "Finishes.")

f.      Pitting, scaling or spalling (flakes, chipping) of concrete surfaces covered by the Limited Warranty

       1

It is normal for some minor chipping of the surface to occur.  Concrete surfaces should not disintegrate so that the aggregate is loose under normal use and weather conditions.  Builder will repair concrete surfaces.  Builder is not responsible for deterioration caused by salt, chemicals, mechanical implements or other factors beyond Builder’s control.

Avoid damaging concrete with salt, chemicals, mechanical equipment, etc.

g.     Settling, heaving or separating of stoops, steps or garage floors

       1

Stoops, steps or garage floors will not settle, heave or separate more than 1" from the Home.  Builder will repair these defects.

h.     Standing water on stoops

       1

Water should drain from outdoor stoops and steps.  However, it is normal for small amounts of water to stand on stoops for short periods after it rains.  Builder will correct any improper drainage.

i.      Cracks in driveways, walkways, patios, decks, porch stoops, boundary walls and retaining walls

0

These items are not covered by the Limited Warranty.

C.    Masonry    :    Back to Top

C.    Masonry

1.  Unit Masonry

a.     Cracks in masonry basement or foundation walls

       1

Cracks up to 1/8" wide are not unusual in mortar joints of masonry foundation walls.  Builder will repair cracks more than 1/8" wide.

b.     Cracks in masonry or veneer walls

       1

Cracks up to 3/8" wide due to shrinkage are common in mortar joints in masonry construction.  Builder will repair cracks more than 3/8" wide by “repointing.”  Builder will not be responsible for any difference in the color of the old and new mortar.

c.     Mortar used in brick veneer, fireplaces or chimneys is excessively sandy or of low tensile or bond strength

1

Builder will correct these conditions by repointing affected areas.  Under no circumstances will Builder be required to tear down and replace brick veneer, fireplaces or chimneys.

Do not allow sprinklers to spray directly onto exterior veneer.

D.    Wood & Plastic    :    Back to Top

D.    Wood & Plastic

1.  Rough carpentry

a.     Squeaking floors or subfloors that appear loose

       1

These conditions are often temporary in new homes.  Builder will correct these conditions only if they are caused by underlying defects in construction.  A squeak proof floor cannot be guaranteed.

b.     Uneven wood floors

       1

Builder will repair any floors that have more than 1/4" ridge or depression within any 30" measurement when measured in any direction to the joists.

c.     Bowed walls or other interior exposed surfaces.

       1

All interior and exterior walls have slight variances on their finished surfaces.  Bowing of walls will not detract from or blemish the wall’s finished surface.  Builder will repair any walls which bow more than 3/8" out of line within any 30" horizontal or vertical measurement taken a minimum of 16" from any sheetrock corner or opening.

d.     Out-of-plumb walls

       1

Builder will repair any walls that are more than 1/4" out-of-plumb for any 30" vertical measurement.

2. Kitchen cabinets

a.     Warped kitchen cabinets

       1

Builder will repair any doors or drawer fronts that are warped more than 1/4".  This condition is measured by closing the drawer or door and measuring from the face frame to the point of furthermost warpage.  Builder is not responsible for matching cabinet finishes.

b.     Gaps between the cabinets, or between the cabinets, ceiling, or walls

       1

Builder will correct any gap that is more than 1/4" wide.

Do not overload cabinets.

c.     Split in panels of a cabinet door

       1

If light is visible through the split in a panel, Builder will repair the panel.

3. Countertops

a.     Separation from wall

       1

Builder will repair the crack.  Caulking is acceptable.  Builder will repair only once after closing or first occupancy, whichever occurs first.

4. Interior finish carpentry (trim inside the Home)

a.     Trim/molding has open joints between molding and the surface areas to which the moldings are attached.

       1

Builder will repair open joints in moldings or between moldings and surfaces if the gaps are more than 1/8" wide.  Caulking is acceptable.

5. Exterior finish carpentry (wood siding, or masonry trim on the outside of the Home)

a.     Trim has open joints between pieces of trim, including siding and masonry

       1

Builder will repair any open joints that are more than 3/8" wide or which do not keep out the elements.

Maintain exterior finish by caulking and painting.

E.     Thermal and moisture protecting materials    :    Back to Top

E.     Thermal and moisture protecting materials

1.  Waterproofing

a.     Leaks in basement

       1

Dampness on the walls or floors in the basement is not a defect.  However, if water is actually trickling into the basement, Builder will repair the leaks.

Maintain proper grades and drainage around the Home and landscape properly to avoid water problems in the Home.

2. Insulation

a.     Insufficient insulation

       1

Builder will insulate the Home as required to meet local energy and building requirements.  Insulation does not render a wall or room soundproof.

3.  Louvers and vents

a.     Rain or snow leaks into the attic through louvers and vents

       0

Homes must have louvers and vents for proper ventilation.  Rain or snow will sometimes come through these openings.

4.  Roofing and siding

a.  Ice build-up on roof

       0

During prolonged cold spells, ice is likely to build up at the eaves of the roof.  This build-up will occur when snow and ice accumulate and gutters and downspouts freeze up.

Remove ice build up.

b.     Leaks in roof or flashing

       1

Builder will repair roof or flashing leaks.  Leaks caused by ice build-up are not Builder’s responsibility.

Clean leaves from valleys, gutters and downspouts.

c.     Standing water on a flat roof

       1

It is not unusual for minor ponding to occur on a flat roof for up to 24 hours after a rainfall.  However, if water is not draining properly, Builder will correct the drainage.  Builder is not responsible if the roof was specifically designed to retain water or if it has a design flaw.

d.     Delamination of veneer siding or joint separation

       1

All siding will be installed so that it meets the manufacturer's standards and industry standards and is sufficiently painted or protected.  Builder will repair or replace any siding that delaminates or separates.  Builder will only paint new materials as part of the repair.  The paint may not be an exact match to the original colors.

Protect the siding from damage, such as leaning heavy objects against siding, ball dents, and water from sprinklers striking the siding.

Annually, seal or recaulk siding.

e.     Gaps in wood siding

       0

Gaps on end and side edge may occur due to normal expansion and contraction.  Builder cannot control wood expansion and contraction.

5.  Sheet metal

a.     Leaks in gutters and/or down-spouts

       1

Gutters and downspouts may overflow during heavy rains.  They should not leak at connections.  Builder will repair leaks.

Keep leaves and debris out of gutters so that water can flow properly.

Do not lean ladders against gutters and downspouts.

b.     Standing water in gutters

       1

Small amounts of water may stand in a gutter after a rain.  If the water is more than 1" deep in a gutter and the gutter is not clogged with debris, Builder will repair the gutter so that water can drain properly.

Keep leaves and debris out of gutters so that water can flow properly.

6.  Sealants

a.     Leaks in exterior (outside) walls because calking is inadequate

       1

If water is coming into the Home, Builder will repair leaking joints or cracks in the exterior wall surface, around openings and flashings.

Properly installed caulking may shrink.  You must maintain caulking during the life of the Home.

F.  Doors and windows    :    Back to Top

F.  Doors and windows

1.  Wood and plastic doors

a.     Outside doors are warped

       1

Builder will repair any doors that warp to the extent that they satisfy one of the following:

  - they no longer work;

  - they are no longer weather resistant; or

  - they warp more than 1/2", when measured diagonally from corner to corner on a 3-0 x 6-8 door Builder will refinish any new doors to match other doors as closely as possible.

If You paint outside doors, doors must be properly prepared.

b.     Inside doors or closet doors are warped

       1

Builder will repair any doors that warp more than 1/2", when measured diagonally from corner to corner on a 3-0 x 6-8 door. In the event Builder installs a new door, Builder will finish new door to match other doors as closely as possible.

c.     Panels in doors shrink so that raw wood edges show

       0

It is normal for panels to shrink.</