Our standard 5-year warranty is available to all builder members and covers the home for 5 years on Defects in Workmanship in Materials up to a maximum of $50,000. The warranty is divided into 2 sections: 1-year defects, and major structural defects.

1-Year Defects

Defects in workmanship and materials supplied by the builder identified and reported by the homeowner within 1 year from the Date of Possession.

Years One to Five - Major Structural Defects

Defects in workmanship and materials supplied by the builder resulting in a "major structural defect", identified and reported by the homeowner within 5 year from the Date of Possession.

 

Your builder may provide, upon approval by the Program, an upgraded warranty that provides 7 years coverage on Defects in Workmanship in Materials up to a maximum of $100,000. The warranty is the same as 1 and 5, with the addition of coverage of limited types of defects for 2 years and an additional 2 years coverage on major structural defects. The warranty is divided into 3 sections: 1-year defects, 2-year defects, and major structural defects.

1-Year Defects

Defects in workmanship and materials supplied by the builder identified and reported by the homeowner within 1 year from the Date of Possession.

2-Year Defects

The builder will repair defects in workmanship or materials, supplied by the builder where such defects become apparent within two years from the date of possession, in respect of the following:

• violations of the Manitoba Building Code that constitute an unreasonable health or safety risk or that result in, or are likely to result in material damage to the new home,
• defects in workmanship and materials that render the new home unfit to live in,
• defects in workmanship and materials supplied for the electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning delivery and distribution systems,
• defects in the building envelope, including defects resulting in water penetration,
• defects in workmanship and materials supplied for the exterior cladding, caulking, windows and doors that may lead to detachment or material damage to the new home

Years One to Seven - Major Structural Defects

Defects in workmanship and materials supplied by the builder resulting in a "major structural defect", identified and reported by the homeowner within 7 year from the Date of Possession.

 

Deposit Coverage

On duly registered homes, the Program will cover a deposit given by the purchaser to the builder up to the amount of $25,000, as a result of the failure of the Builder to refund a deposit which the builder becomes legally obliged to repay.

What is considered a Defect?

A defect is any contravention of the Building Code or building standards prescribed by the authority having jurisdiction. The Program may also use its Construction Performance Standards as guide in determining a defect. To be considered a 'Major Structural Defect', the following definitions apply:

"major structural defects" - are defects in workmanship or materials resulting in failure of the load-bearing portions of the home. Specifically excluded as major structural defects are defects in driveways, basement floors, garage floors, patios, sidewalks, retaining walls, any concrete construction which is not load bearing, or any defects not caused by the negligence of the Builder; and
"load bearing portion" - includes footings, pads, piles, basement walls, grade beams, teleposts, columns, beams of timber or steel, load bearing walls, floor joists, and roof trusses, provided that they constitute an integral part of the home or attached garage.

Types of homes covered

The Program covers new homes built on site with permanent foundations and new ready-to-move homes (RTM's) moved onto a permanent foundation. These new homes must have been built for sale or under contract by a Registered Builder Member of the Program. This includes single detached homes, semi-detached homes, row housing/townhomes, duplexes, and condominium units located within buildings up to 3 stories in height (that do not contain underground parking or commercial use space). Homes not eligible for coverage are renovated homes or additions, recreational/vacation homes, mobile homes, and homes built on an existing foundation (unless it is an RTM being moved onto a newly constructed foundation designed for the home).

Exclusions to the Warranty

There are certain items and situations that are not covered under the Warranty. Exclusions can be found in sections 1 and 3 of the Warranty. Below are a few examples:

• a pool, parking facility, common recreational area, site grading and surface drainage, landscaping, shrubbery, flowers, trees, patios, driveways, garage slabs or carport slabs, sidewalks, retaining walls, wells and attached water systems, septic tanks or fields, detached garages or detached carports, or outbuildings.
• work and material supplied by the homeowner
• damage resulting from improper maintenance by the homeowner
• normal shrinkage and warping of materials
• colour variations or surface defects (dings, dents) apparent and accepted by the homeowner at possession or those that cannot be readily determined as caused by the builder
• contractual disputes (flooring was supposed to be tile rather than carpet; closet is in the wrong location; the house was not built to the size/shape/elevation according to the plans)
• uncompleted/missing items

What happens if I sell my home?

If the home is sold during the warranty period, any remaining coverage stays with the home for the benefit of subsequent buyers. An excellent selling feature! The best part is that you don't need to do a thing as the warranty is automatically transferable. If you sell your home, we recommend that you provide the subsequent homeowners with your warranty certificate.

What happens if the builder goes bankrupt or leaves the Program?

Once your home has been registered and a Possession Certificate issued, warranty stays in place on your homes regardless of the status of a builder. If repairs are required and the builder is not capable of doing these repairs, the Program will act in place of the builder to complete any repairs under the terms of Warranty.