New Construction Warranties in Minnesota: A Buyer's Guide

Buying new construction in Stillwater should feel exciting, not uncertain. Yet even the best-built homes can have surprises in the first year, from sticky doors to HVAC hiccups. You want to know what is covered, how to protect yourself, and what to do if something needs attention. This guide gives you a clear picture of typical warranty coverage in Minnesota, practical steps for claims, and Stillwater-specific tips so you can move in with confidence. Let’s dive in.

How new-construction warranties work

Most builders use a layered model often called 1-2-10. While terms vary by builder, this framework helps you understand what to expect.

• 1 year: Workmanship and materials. This typically covers finish items and defects caused by construction or installation.
• 2 years: Major systems. Coverage often applies to plumbing, electrical, and HVAC when the issue is due to installation defects.
• 10 years: Structural. This focuses on major load-bearing elements and structural integrity issues. Definitions and limits differ widely.

Coverage and timelines can look different for production builders, custom builders, and smaller local firms. Some offer only a 1-year warranty. Others add a third-party warranty provider that backs a 10-year structural plan and manages parts of the claims process. Ask whether the warranty is builder-backed or third-party and request a full document set.

Pay attention to the start date. Warranties can begin at closing, at certificate of occupancy, or at move-in. Get the start date in writing. Many programs are transferable to a future owner, sometimes for a fee. If resale value matters to you, confirm transfer terms.

Finally, understand that Minnesota does not impose a universal, standard statutory warranty for new homes. Warranties are primarily contractual. Your protection lives in the signed documents, so reading them before closing is essential.

What is covered and what is not

Typical coverage

Confirm the exact language in your warranty, but common inclusions are:

• Workmanship and materials in year one, such as paint, trim, cabinetry, tile grout, and flooring issues attributable to installation.
• Systems in years one and two, including plumbing piping, electrical wiring, and HVAC failures caused by installation defects.
• Structural coverage up to ten years for major load-bearing elements and foundation issues that affect structural integrity.
• Common-area items in subdivisions, such as roads, stormwater systems, or shared landscaping, often covered under separate builder or developer obligations for a limited period.
• Manufacturer warranties for appliances, windows, roofing materials, and mechanical components, which are separate from the builder’s warranty and may have their own timelines.

Common exclusions and limits

Most warranties set reasonable tolerances. Typical exclusions include:

• Normal settling, shrinkage, hairline cracks, nail pops, and cosmetic blemishes within industry standards.
• Damage from homeowner actions, neglect, improper maintenance, alterations, or use outside manufacturer instructions.
• Loss from acts of God, floods, fires, vandalism, pests, or environmental conditions not caused by construction.
• Failures after a manufacturer warranty ends or defects in manufacturer parts beyond that coverage.
• Work done by unauthorized contractors after closing.
• Routine maintenance items, like filters and caulking, unless failure ties directly to defective installation.

Remedies often state repair or reasonable replacement at the builder’s discretion. Monetary limits may apply. Many warranties include mediation or arbitration for unresolved disputes, so check that section closely.

Your step-by-step claim process

Before closing

• Do a thorough pre-closing walkthrough with the builder. Create a written punch list and get a completion timeline.
• Confirm the warranty start date and get full written warranty documents and claim contacts.
• Collect manufacturer warranties for appliances, windows, roofing, and mechanical components.

First weeks to first year

• Keep a dedicated file with your warranty documents, builder and warranty-provider contacts, your punch list, and all emails or texts about repairs.
• Capture date-stamped photos and short videos of any issues, plus receipts for maintenance or temporary fixes.
• Track communications in a log with dates, names, and what was discussed.
• Schedule an 11-month walkthrough to identify items before early coverage expires.

How to submit a claim

1. Notify the builder in writing as soon as you notice a defect. Include photos or videos, the discovery date, and whether the condition is changing.
2. If a third-party warranty is involved, follow its claim procedure. Some require you to start with the builder. Others accept homeowner claims directly.
3. Request an inspection timeline in writing and keep any reports.
4. When repairs are scheduled, ask for a written scope and timeframe, and clarify whether the builder or a subcontractor will complete the work.
5. After repairs, inspect the result, document with photos, and sign an acceptance if requested and appropriate.
6. If a claim is denied, ask for a written explanation that cites the specific warranty clause.

Know the fine print

• Note any notice period requirements after you discover an issue.
• Confirm whether you must allow inspection or use approved contractors.
• Keep up with owner maintenance to avoid denials tied to neglect.
• Review any dispute resolution clauses and the steps required before escalation.

Stillwater and Minnesota specifics

Permits and inspections

In Stillwater and Washington County, building permits and inspection records are public. Review the permit history for your lot to confirm that required permits and final inspections were completed. If municipal inspections identify code violations, the builder’s obligation to correct them is separate from the warranty terms in your contract.

Climate and seasonal checks

Minnesota’s freeze and thaw cycles, heavy snow, and spring runoff can stress materials and systems. In your first year, pay special attention to:

• Grading and drainage. Verify proper slope away from the foundation. Document any water entry, seepage, or pooling after snowmelt or heavy rain.
• Roof and gutters. Track performance during your first winter and spring.
• Settlement and cracking. Some movement is normal in initial cycles. Document and report concerns early.

HOA and neighborhood items

In new subdivisions, the developer may be responsible for roads, sidewalks, stormwater basins, and common landscaping for a defined period. These items can carry separate warranty periods and claim processes. Review your plat, HOA documents, and developer disclosures to understand who handles what and for how long.

Vetting builders and support

• Check a builder’s standing with trade groups and seek recent buyer references in the same subdivision. Ask about response times and claim handling.
• Review the Minnesota Attorney General’s consumer protection guidance and complaint procedures if problems escalate.
• Look up a builder’s BBB profile for patterns in service or warranty responsiveness.
• Confirm whether the builder offers a third-party structural warranty and request sample documents during contract review.

Pre-closing and first-year checklist

Documents to secure before closing

• Full written builder warranty and any third-party warranty documents, not just a brochure.
• Start date and duration for each tier, including clear definitions for structural and systems coverage.
• Claim submission process and contacts for both the builder and any third-party provider.
• Copies of manufacturer warranties and maintenance instructions for appliances, HVAC, windows, and roofing.
• A written punch list with a schedule for completing open items, plus how unfinished items will be handled post-closing.

Smart first-year habits

• Do an initial post-move-in walkthrough and document the home’s condition.
• Follow routine maintenance schedules and keep receipts.
• Conduct an 11-month walkthrough and submit a consolidated list in writing.
• Keep communications professional and organized with dates and photos.

Questions to ask your builder

• Who backs the 10-year structural coverage, and is it insurer-backed or self-insured?
• Does the warranty require mediation or arbitration for disputes?
• Is the warranty transferable to a future owner, and is there a fee?
• What are the exclusions and the thresholds between normal cosmetic variation and a repairable defect?
• What are your response and completion timelines for warranty claims?

Move forward with confidence

A clear plan turns your first year in a Stillwater new build into a smooth experience. Know your coverage, document early and often, and keep timelines in view. If you want help evaluating builder documents, organizing your pre-closing punch list, or aligning your purchase with neighborhood and HOA realities, our team is ready to guide you from contract to close and beyond.

If you are considering a new construction purchase in Stillwater and want a thoughtful, step-by-step approach to warranties and builder selection, connect with Juan Rivera. Let’s make your first year feel as good as your first day in the home.

FAQs

What does a 1-2-10 new-home warranty mean in Minnesota?

• It refers to a common framework where year one covers workmanship and materials, years one to two cover systems, and up to ten years address major structural defects, with exact terms set by the builder or warranty provider.

When does my Stillwater new-home warranty start?

• Start dates vary by contract and may begin at closing, certificate of occupancy, or move-in, so confirm and get the date in writing.

Are structural warranties transferable when I sell?

• Many programs allow one transfer, sometimes with a fee, but rules differ, so review the transfer section of your specific warranty.

How do Minnesota seasons impact warranty claims?

• Freeze and thaw cycles can reveal grading, drainage, roofing, and sealing issues, so monitor your first winter and spring and document any concerns quickly.

What if my builder denies a warranty claim?

• Request a written denial that cites the exact clause, keep all records, and follow any mediation or arbitration steps required by your warranty.

Do HOAs handle warranty issues for common areas?

• Often yes, but common-area coverage and timelines are usually separate from your home’s warranty, so review HOA and developer documents to see who is responsible and for how long.