New home builder warranties in Florida: what is covered, for how long

A new home warranty is the builder's promise to repair certain defects for a stated period after closing. In Florida, most detached single-family new homes come with a tiered warranty covering workmanship, major systems, and structural components over different time frames, and a recent state law sets a statutory floor for part of that coverage. This guide explains the typical structure, how long coverage runs, what is usually excluded, how claims work, and the role of inspections before coverage ends. It is educational context, not legal advice: review your warranty documents and consult an attorney for how the law applies to your specific home.

The typical 1-2-10 warranty structure

Most builder warranties in Florida follow a tiered schedule measured from the closing or delivery date: roughly one year for workmanship and materials, roughly two years for major systems, and up to about ten years for major structural defects. Individual builders use warranty companies such as 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty or StrucSure, or run their own program, and the exact terms always come from your specific warranty document, not from a general description.

• About 1 year, workmanship and materials: installation and visible finish defects such as paint, doors, trim, flooring, and cabinet or countertop issues; drywall cracks related to settling are commonly treated as workmanship items in the first year
• About 2 years, systems: the distribution portions of major systems, typically electrical wiring, plumbing piping, and HVAC ductwork, when a failure stems from faulty installation or defective materials
• About 10 years, major structural defects: load-bearing components such as the foundation, framing, load-bearing walls, and roof structure; structural coverage usually follows a catastrophic-failure standard, and minor cracks, roof leaks, failed windows, and mold are often not treated as structural

Florida's statutory warranty framework

Florida law changed the warranty picture for new homes recently. A statute that took effect in July 2025 for newly constructed single-family homes requires builders to provide a minimum one-year warranty covering construction defects of equipment, material, or workmanship that result in a material violation of the Florida Building Code. The period runs one year from the earlier of the original transfer of title to the first owner or the date the home is first occupied, and it transfers automatically to a subsequent owner who buys during that first year. The statute does not require coverage of normal wear and tear, normal settling within accepted trade practice, or defects caused by the purchaser or someone acting for the purchaser. Builders may offer their own express warranty, and many provide broader terms than the statute, but they must still provide at least the one-year coverage required by law. Condominiums sit under a separate statutory framework with its own implied warranty terms, so the rules that apply to a single-family house do not necessarily apply to a condo unit.

What is usually excluded

• Normal wear and tear, and normal settling within generally accepted trade practice
• Defects caused by repairs, alterations, or third parties not employed by the builder
• Neglect, misuse, or failure to perform routine maintenance
• Items covered by manufacturer warranties, such as appliances, water heaters, and HVAC equipment
• Site conditions, landscaping issues, and other items spelled out in the warranty contract

How warranty claims work

The claim process is usually written into the warranty booklet: report the issue in writing within the coverage window, often through a claims portal or by phone, and the builder or warranty administrator schedules an evaluation and the repair. Photos, dates, and copies of correspondence matter, because the claim record is what the warranty company and the builder work from. Keep a dated list of every issue you observe from closing day, in writing, even for items that still look minor. If an issue is not resolved to your satisfaction, the warranty document describes the escalation path and any dispute resolution process.

Inspections before the warranty period ends

Three inspection moments matter most. The final walk at closing is where you list cosmetic issues for the builder's punch list. An end-of-first-year inspection, often done around month 11, is where many buyers file a comprehensive list before the workmanship coverage expires. And a pre-drywall inspection during construction catches framing and mechanical issues while they are still visible behind the walls. A third-party inspection at closing gives you an independent set of eyes on top of your own walk. If you plan to sell during the warranty period, confirm whether and how coverage transfers: Florida's statutory one-year coverage transfers to a buyer who purchases within the first year, and private programs have their own transfer rules.

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