Homebuilders vary

widely in the quality of building materials or

products they use. Quality lumber, for example,

is hard to find in many areas of the country.

When a warped or green timber starts to dry,

nails can pop out or a door can stick to the

jamb.

That's why a

warranty can be critical. It pays to research a

builder's reputation and their warranties

carefully for what they do and do not cover.

A typical new home

warranty covers mechanical items such as

plumbing, electricity, and heating and cooling

systems for two years. Some builders offer a

ten-year warranty against construction defects

and repairs.

But the real test

is not the warranty but the builder's reputation

for following up on problems and fixing them to

the customer's satisfaction. For example,

concrete is supposed to last for 50 years but not

if improperly mixed or formed. If the sidewalk

breaks or the house foundation settles and

cracks, is the builder going to stand behind the

home or hide behind excuses?

The time to find

out is before you buy. Ask for at least three

customer references and call them, and check with

state and local consumer affairs agencies for

complaints.

Remember that no

warranty is perfect or idiot-proof. A builder

definitely should fix cracks in the sidewalk

caused by settling. On the other hand, if you

poured rock salt all over it and chipped it with

your shovel while clearing the ice, whose fault

is that?

For more

information on any aspect of buying a home, go to

https://www.ahahome.com, the web site for American

Homeowners Association.