What a written warranty should say

Two warranties cover most home improvement work. The manufacturer warrants the materials, and the contractor warrants the labor. They are separate documents with separate rules, and the one that matters most in the first years is the contractor's.

The workmanship warranty

• The term, in years. HomeMaxx Verified Pros pledge a minimum term by trade, and many offer more.
• What it covers: defects in the installation, such as a leak at a flashing, a loose fixture, peeling paint from poor prep.
• What it excludes: storm damage, normal wear, work done by someone else, neglect.
• Whether it transfers to the next owner.
• How to make a claim, and how fast they respond.

The manufacturer warranty

Shingles, windows, water heaters and equipment come with a maker's warranty on the product. Many enhanced warranties require registration within a window after installation and a credentialed installer. Ask your Pro to register it and to give you the paperwork.

Making a claim

Write down what you see and when, take photos, and contact the Pro in writing. A good contractor comes out, looks, and fixes what is theirs. If you got your work through HomeMaxx, your warranty document is in your customer portal, with a claim form that goes straight to the Pro and is visible to HomeMaxx.