Home Remodeling Warranties: What's Actually Covered (and What Isn't)

Who this is for: homeowners comparing remodeling estimates who want to know what a warranty really protects before they sign.

Short answer

A remodel is usually covered by two separate warranties: a product warranty from the manufacturer, which covers defective materials, and a workmanship warranty from your contractor, which covers how the work was installed. A "home warranty" is a third, different product. It's a service contract for home systems and appliances, and it doesn't cover a contractor's work. Before you sign, get both remodeling warranties in writing, with the length, what's covered, what's excluded and how to file a claim.

Throughout this guide, we'll show how ours compares. You can also read the full terms of the HHI warranty and 12-month check-up.

Three warranties people confuse

The quickest way to read any warranty is to ask who stands behind it and what kind of failure it pays for.

Product, workmanship and home warranties compared

Type	Who backs it	What it covers	Common exclusions
Product (manufacturer) warranty	The company that made the material or fixture	Defects in the product itself	Installation that doesn't follow the maker's instructions, wrong materials, misuse, normal wear
Workmanship (contractor) warranty	Your remodeling contractor	Failures caused by how the work was installed	Product defects, damage from misuse or outside events, later changes by someone else
Home warranty	A home warranty company	Repair or replacement of certain home systems and appliances, under a service contract	Varies by contract; often structural items, plus caps and per-visit service fees

What a workmanship warranty covers

A workmanship warranty covers problems caused by the installation, for a set period after the job is done. If a shower leaks because the waterproofing wasn't installed correctly, tile comes loose because it wasn't properly bonded, or a door won't latch because it was hung out of plumb, that's a workmanship issue, and the contractor should fix it.

It usually doesn't cover a product that fails on its own (that's the manufacturer's warranty), normal wear, damage from misuse or accidents, or work someone else has changed since. The exact list belongs in your contract. The Federal Trade Commission's warranty guide puts it simply: if something isn't listed, assume it isn't covered.

What voids a product warranty

Product warranties often depend on how the product was installed, which is why the installer matters even for "lifetime" materials. Schluter-Systems, whose waterproofing membranes are common in tile showers, lists what voids its warranties: products not installed according to its technical literature, improper material selection, and products not bought from an authorized seller.

Other manufacturers set their own conditions, so ask your contractor which product warranties apply to your project and whether the installation will meet them. The FTC also notes that a written warranty must be available for you to read before you buy.

"Home warranty" is a different product

A home warranty is a service contract, not a remodeling warranty or an insurance policy. You buy it from a home warranty company, usually for a year at a time, and it pays toward repairing or replacing certain home systems and appliances, often with a service fee for each visit. The District of Columbia Attorney General's consumer alert on home warranties puts it plainly: "Home warranties are not insurance policies, they are service contracts." A home warranty doesn't cover the installation work on your remodel, and we don't sell them. If that's what you're shopping for, read the coverage limits, exclusions and service fees in the contract itself.

What to get in writing before you sign

Ask for every warranty promise in writing, because a spoken promise is hard to enforce later. Your paperwork should answer:

• Who backs each warranty, the contractor or the manufacturer, and how to reach them
• How long the workmanship warranty lasts and when it starts
• What's covered and what's excluded, in plain language
• The remedy: repair, replacement or refund
• Whether a manufacturer claim covers the labor to replace a defective part, or only the part
• Any maintenance you're expected to do to keep coverage
• Whether coverage transfers if you sell the house
• How coverage works on materials you buy yourself
• How to file a claim, and how fast someone responds

How HHI's warranty works

Every HHI remodeling project comes with a written workmanship warranty, a free check-up and the manufacturers' product coverage. The details for your project are in your contract:

• Product coverage depends on the manufacturer and the item installed. Its length, exclusions and whether it transfers to a new owner are set by the manufacturer's terms.
• One-year workmanship warranty. It covers problems caused by our installation during the first year. The start date, exclusions and any service terms are written into your contract.
• Free 12-month check-up. We don't wait for you to call. About 12 months after the job, we contact you to schedule a visit and look over the work.

The check-up timing is deliberate. By then, your project has been through a full North Dakota winter and summer, with their swings in temperature and indoor humidity. That's when small issues tend to show up, such as a caulk joint that needs attention or a trim gap that opened up. Catching them at the check-up keeps small fixes small. Tell us at the visit about anything you've noticed, so we can look at it together.

How to file a claim

Start with your contractor, even if you suspect a product defect. A good contractor can tell whether it's an installation or product problem and help with the manufacturer's claim.

1. Document it. Take photos or video and note when you first noticed the problem.
2. Limit the damage. If water is involved, stop using the fixture or shut off the water, but don't tear anything apart yourself.
3. Find your paperwork. Check which warranty applies and any deadlines.
4. Contact the contractor in writing, with your photos, and keep copies of every message.
5. Schedule an inspection and get the repair plan in writing before work starts.

For an HHI project, call our office at (701) 929-8727 with the project address, installation date, a description and photos if available. We'll review the concern against the workmanship and product terms for your project.

Frequently asked questions

What does a workmanship warranty cover?

It covers failures caused by how the work was installed, such as a shower that leaks because the waterproofing was installed incorrectly or tile that comes loose because it wasn't properly bonded. It runs for a set period, and it usually excludes product defects, normal wear, misuse and later changes by someone else. The details should be in your contract.

What's the difference between a home warranty and a contractor warranty?

A contractor warranty comes with your remodel and covers the quality of the installation. A home warranty is a separate service contract you buy, usually yearly, that pays toward repairing certain home systems and appliances, often with a fee per visit. A home warranty won't fix a contractor's installation mistake.

What warranties should I look for when hiring a bathroom renovation service?

Look for a written workmanship warranty with a clear term, manufacturer warranties on the shower system, fixtures and tile setting materials, and confirmation that the installation meets those manufacturers' requirements. For showers, ask specifically how waterproofing failures are handled, because fixing a leak behind tile usually means taking the tile off.

What voids a remodeling warranty?

For product warranties, the common causes are installation that doesn't follow the manufacturer's instructions, the wrong materials for the job, or products bought from unauthorized sellers. Workmanship warranties are usually voided or limited by misuse, skipped maintenance spelled out in the contract, or changes made later by someone else.

The warranty is one of seven things to check before you hire anyone. Go through our hiring checklist, then request a free written estimate with our warranty terms spelled out. Call or text Viktor at (701) 329-9659 with your town, photos and what you want to change. Our office follows up during business hours.