If it did, you would probably laugh … thus the term the laugh test. But they don’t. Car buyers today routinely get 60,000-mile, and in some cases 100,000-mile warranty coverage. If cars routinely last up to 200,000 miles or longer, this warranty coverage suggests manufacturers are willing to back up their product’s performance for 30% to 50% of its life.
But what does this have to do with home builders?
Before answering that question, first another question: How long will a home last? 30 years? Are we tearing down homes built in 1985? 50 years? Are we tearing down homes built in 1965? Homes built today should last well past 100 years and high-performance homes more than 200 years.
Sam Rashkin writes for BUILDER Magazine, and has spent the last 40 years accelerating housing innovation and transforming the homeowner experience.
Why should new home builders warranty new homes? Because their competition – existing homes comprising 85% of the home sales market – cannot. But where do we start? What do we warranty?
Here’s a starter list:
-
- specified low energy bills
- maintaining the temperature within the home
- fresh air circulation
- no lead or asbestos
- no formaldehydes or VOCs
- no water problems, rot, termite damage
Rashkin provides examples of why these simple examples are a good starting point for builders – and how to build a more advanced warranty.
Our Conasys Homeowner Care platform digitally links your homebuyers with their new home. Provide buyers with information about their home at their fingertips – both during and after construction: important dates, operating manuals and warranties, maintenance reminders, service requests, and deficiency review functionality.
If you decide to provide a home warranty, we can help you make it happen. Learn more about the Conasys Homeowner Care platform by downloading the eBook “Differentiation Through Homeowner Care” below. When you’re ready, request a demo of the homeowner experience 2.0 with Conasys.