Apartment Construction Defect and Builder Warranty Claims Management Checklist

This construction defect and builder warranty claims management checklist provides a structured framework for identifying, documenting, and pursuing construction defect claims during the warranty period. Construction defects — including water intrusion, structural failures, roofing defects, and building envelope failures — represent significant financial risk. Builder warranties typically run 1 year for workmanship, 2 years for systems, and 10 years for structural defects. Missing warranty deadl

Industry: Property Management
Frequency: Annually During Warranty Period / As Defects Are Discovered
Estimated Time: 2-3 hours
Role: Property Manager / Asset Manager / Construction Manager
Total Items: 28
Compliance: State Construction Defect Statutes of Limitations, State Right to Repair Laws Pre-Litigation Requirements, AIA A201 General Conditions Contractor Warranty, State Builder Warranty Acts, NAHB Residential Construction Performance Guidelines

Warranty Coverage Tracking

Maintain active warranty tracking and deadline management.

All builder warranty documents on file with specific coverage periods and claim procedures?
Warranty expiration dates calendared with 60-day advance alerts for inspection and claim submission?
Subcontractor and manufacturer warranties tracked separately from builder warranty?
Builder warranty properly transferred to current owner if property changed hands?
11-month comprehensive inspection completed before 1-year workmanship warranty expires?

Defect Identification and Documentation

Systematically identify and document construction defects.

All water intrusion points identified (roof, windows, balconies, below grade, HVAC penetrations)?
Building envelope professional inspection completed by independent consultant?
HVAC system deficiencies documented (undersizing, improper installation, condensate issues)?
Structural movement, settlement, or cracking evaluated by licensed engineer?
All defects photographed with measurement scale and location documented?
Comprehensive defect log maintained with discovery dates, claim status, and resolution?

Warranty Claim Submission

Verify claims are submitted properly and timely.

All warranty claims submitted in writing per claim procedures in warranty document?
All claims submitted within warranty coverage period with adequate time for response?
State right-to-repair law pre-litigation notice requirements followed before any legal action?
Builder responses tracked and followed up if unanswered within warranty timeframe?
Rejected warranty claims evaluated by construction attorney before accepting denial?

Legal Rights Preservation

Preserve legal rights for significant construction defects.

Construction defect statute of limitations dates tracked by defect category and state law?
Defect evidence preserved before repair (photographed and documented)?
Construction defect attorney consulted for significant defects?
Independent expert consultants retained for significant defect evaluation?
Builder's construction liability insurance carriers notified of significant claims?

Documentation and Resolution Tracking

Maintain complete claim documentation.

All correspondence with builder and subcontractors filed chronologically?
All repairs by builder documented with before/after photos and repair description?
Builder repairs verified by independent consultant before final acceptance?
Unresolved significant claims escalated to attorney before claim period expires?
Complete construction defect claim file maintained with all documentation?
Property owner briefed on warranty status, pending claims, and statute of limitations deadlines?
Builder general liability insurance coverage confirmed active for pending warranty claims?

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Why Use This Apartment Construction Defect and Builder Warranty Claims Management Checklist?

This apartment construction defect and builder warranty claims management checklist helps property management teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for property manager / asset manager / construction manager professionals, this checklist covers 28 critical inspection points across 5 sections. Recommended frequency: annually during warranty period / as defects are discovered.

Ensures compliance with State Construction Defect Statutes of Limitations, State Right to Repair Laws Pre-Litigation Requirements, AIA A201 General Conditions Contractor Warranty, State Builder Warranty Acts, NAHB Residential Construction Performance Guidelines, ICC International Residential Code Warranty Standards. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Apartment Construction Defect and Builder Warranty Claims Management Checklist cover?

This checklist covers 28 inspection items across 5 sections: Warranty Coverage Tracking, Defect Identification and Documentation, Warranty Claim Submission, Legal Rights Preservation, Documentation and Resolution Tracking. It is designed for property management operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed annually during warranty period / as defects are discovered. Each completion takes approximately 2-3 hours.

Who should use this Apartment Construction Defect and Builder Warranty Claims Management Checklist?

This checklist is designed for Property Manager / Asset Manager / Construction Manager professionals in the property management industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.