Understanding warranties and services for new build homes

What do home warranties usually not cover?

Home warranties usually focus on specific parts or systems in a new home. While it’s important to know what’s covered by your warranty, understanding what falls outside of your coverage can help you prioritize certain home maintenance responsibilities or identify any additional protections you might need.

Things typically not covered by a home warranty include:

• Normal wear and tear that happens with everyday use over time

• Maintenance-related issues, including preventative steps covered by routine care

• Changes made after move-in, especially homeowner additions or alterations

• Damage caused by misuse, accidents, or external events rather than construction or setup

• Items covered under separate manufacturer warranties, which often includes appliances and other equipment

• Conditions that develop after the home is completed, or issues that weren’t present at the time of construction

Not every builder or manufacturer handles these situations the same way. For example, cosmetic damage or imperfections may not be included under Clayton’s one-year limited warranty. However, if written notice is provided within the first 30 days after moving-in, those items may be eligible for repair.

Taking the time to review your homeowner manual and warranty materials can help you make the most of the support available to you. And if you have questions as you review the information, a Clayton home consultant can help explain the details and point you in the right direction.

What’s the difference between appliance warranties vs. home warranties?

This is one of the most common areas of confusion for new homeowners, and it’s easy to see why. Appliances are part of the home, but they’re often covered separately from the home itself.

Many appliances in new construction homes — like refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, or washers and dryers — come with manufacturer warranties. These warranties are typically provided by the appliance maker and are separate from your home warranty. In most cases, these warranties require you to register the appliance directly with the manufacturer, often within 30 to 60 days of installation or purchase.

Registering with the manufacturer helps ensure:

• Your coverage is active if a repair is needed

• You know exactly who to contact for service

• You have clear documentation if ownership of the home changes

Manufacturer warranties cover problems with the appliance itself. If an issue is related to the home building process, that’s when a home warranty may apply. For example, Clayton’s one-year limited warranty covers appliances when the concern is tied to how the appliance was installed in the home.

Together, these warranties support different parts of your home. Understanding how they’re handled separately can help you know where to turn when questions come up.

How do I submit a warranty or service request?

If something doesn’t seem right after you move in, it’s a good idea to speak up early. Many items are easier to address when they’re caught sooner, and most home warranties include specific time frames for different types of coverage.

While details can vary between builders, the process typically looks like this:

1. Find your warranty details

Before anything else, it helps to know what coverage applies to your specific home. Your closing documents and warranty materials should explain what’s included, how long coverage lasts, and where to turn if something needs attention.

Ask your home consultant for this information. For Clayton modern manufactured homeowners, this information can also be found on the home warranty card in your homeowner manual. It includes details about your home that are needed for service requests.

2. Contact the team you purchased your home from

In many cases, warranty or service questions start with the builder or location that helped you purchase your home. For Clayton homeowners, that usually means contacting your local Clayton team.

A home consultant can help talk through the concern, help determine whether it may fall under warranty coverage, and identify next steps. When appropriate, they can also help submit a written repair request to the builder on your behalf.

3. Describe the issue clearly

Sharing clear details helps everyone stay on the same page. Let the team know what you’re noticing, when it started, and where it’s happening in your home.

Photos, notes, or examples can be helpful. The more context you can share upfront, the easier it is for the service team to understand the situation and help move things forward.

4. Understand which warranty applies

Some repairs are handled through your home’s warranty. Others, like appliance-related issues, are covered by manufacturer warranties. In those cases, you’ll contact the appliance manufacturer directly using the information in your homeowner packet. The team assisting you can help clarify who to contact and what to expect next.

As you get settled into your home, you’ll naturally learn more about its features and systems. A clear warranty and service process makes it easier to know where to get support if questions come up.

A steady partner in homeownership

Questions about warranties and services are a normal part of getting comfortable in a new home. Taking time to review your documents, register appliance warranties, and raise concerns early keeps things simple and on track.

If you need more guidance along the way, Clayton is here as a resource. You can reach out to us, and Learning & support offers information to help you throughout homeownership, not just on move-in day. Welcome home!