Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) and Certificate of Completion & Possession (CCP)
The builder, prior to closing, arranges a pre-delivery inspection at which you and the builder’s representative will be present. The purpose of this inspection affords you the opportunity to identify any items of construction that you consider defective, substandard or unacceptable within the parameters of the act. It is important that you take your time over this procedure. Our representative will advise and clarify any areas of doubt with respect to Tarion requirements. Any deficient items and items requiring completion are noted on the PDI Form used in conjunction with the Certificate of Completion and Possession (CCP). You and the builder’s representative then sign these CCP and PDI forms.
Warranty Service Requests in Accordance with Tarion
As specified in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, we as the builder warrant your home during the first year of possession from defective materials, sub-standard workmanship, Ontario Building Code violations and major structural defects. Ingress of water and mechanical equipment is guaranteed for two (2) years and Tarion covers major structural defects for a total of seven (7) years.
TARION WARRANTY REQUESTS – FIRST YEAR
During the first year of possession of your home, you will have two opportunities to report warranty items covered by Tarion. It is essential that you use the standard forms (available from Tarion) and submit them when necessary to both the Country Homes office and Tarion. Follow the instructions on the forms to ensure that your forms are complete and are submitted on time.
30-Day Form (Provided with your Homeowner Information Package)
We recommend that you fill out and submit the 30-day form on or about the 25th day after your date of possession. If you do not submit a 30-day form on time, you will have to wait until the final 30 days of the first year of possession to make a warranty service request on the year-end form.
Year-End Form
The 30-day form is intended to catch most warranty items; however, it takes several months for the natural materials in a new home to dry and settle. New one-year warranty items may emerge. At any time within the last 30 days before the expiry of year one of your warranty, you may submit a year-end form listing any new or outstanding items. Only forms submitted on time will be accepted.
TARION WARRANTY FIRST YEAR COVERAGE
Tarion requires the home to be:
- Constructed in a workmanlike manner and free from defects in material
- Fit for habitation
- Constructed in accordance with the Ontario Building Code
- Free of major structural defects
*We recommend you keep a running list of items for your year-end form to help keep track of your concerns.
TARION WARRANTY SECOND YEAR COVERAGE
The two-year warranty provides coverage for the following defects for a period of two years from the date of possession:
- Water penetration through the basement or foundation walls
- Defects in materials or work (caulking, windows, doors, etc.) resulting in water penetration into the building envelope
- Defects in materials or work in the electrical, plumbing and heating delivery and distribution systems
- Defects in materials or work which results in the detachment, displacement or deterioration of exterior cladding (such as brickwork, aluminum or vinyl siding)
- Major structural defects
- Violations of the Ontario Building Code’s health and safety provisions
TARION WARRANTY – SEVEN YEAR MAJOR STRUCTURAL COVERAGE
- Any defect in materials or work that results in the failure of a load-bearing part of the home’s structure, or materially and adversely affects its load-bearing function
- Any defect in materials or work that significantly and adversely affects the use of the building as a home
TARION WARRANTY EXCEPTIONS
Similar to any type of warranty, there are exceptions or limits to the extent of your coverage. For this reason, the following outlines what are considered to be non-warrantable items or actions adversely affecting the warranty:
No repair or replacement for which the builder is liable, pursuant to their warranty, shall be undertaken by the owner without first obtaining the express written consent of the builder. If such a repair or replacement is made without first obtaining such consent, the builder shall be fully relieved and discharged from all of its obligations and warranties to the owner with respect to such repair or replacement.
When you examine your home during the pre-closing inspection, certain deficiencies may be visible and you are expected to make careful note of these items for rectification. Those items will generally be our responsibility to correct. In the days following your occupancy of the home, it is not uncommon for considerable minor damage to occur as a result of the move-in process. Movers often bang furniture, appliances and cartons into walls, doors and cabinets, causing surface damage. It is often the case that ceramic tiles are cracked or scratched by heavy items being dropped on them.
Many times, this will not be noted by the homeowner until some considerable time later. For all of these reasons, we can only accept responsibility for damage of a surface nature to those items (i.e. tiles, tubs, floors, sinks, cabinets, countertops, carpet or vinyl) identified within your Certificate of Completion and Possession.
The following occurrences are not covered by the Tarion Warranty Corporation, nor are we responsible for such occurrences:
Caused by a Third Party:
- Damage or destruction occasioned by fire, wind, rain, hail, freezing, lightning, insects, acts of God or other acts not reasonably within the control of the builder
- “Winterkill” in lawns
- Installation of air conditioners, air filters, humidifiers, etc. by any contractor other than the original heating sub-contractor can void the warranty on your mechanical system
- Damage due to installation of roof television antenna or satellite dishes
Normal Wear and Tear:
Defects arising from condensation, contraction, expansion and other occurrences common to the type and grade of material employed, provided that such material is of a grade generally acceptable within the building trade
- Normal weathering of exterior finishes
- Minor surface cracks in concrete walls, floors and porches
- Settlement of exterior wear and tear after initial repair
- Surface pitting, superficial cracking and marbleizing in concrete, unless due to the use of material not in conformance with acceptable standards
Deficiencies due to Homeowners Actions:
- Damage of plumbing fixtures due to abrasive cleaner or careless use
- Plumbing blockages other than those caused by construction debris
- Damage to concrete, slabs, walls and garage floors caused by salt or calcium products
- Damage to driveways caused by heavy or sharp objects
- Damage to driveways caused by petroleum products
Other:
- Any machinery, equipment, fittings, installation, e.g. furnace, water heater, sealed window, appliances, electrical or mechanical installation, which at the time of delivery of the home are subject of a warranty or guarantee given by the manufacturer or supplier thereof; regardless of the term of, or any conditions limiting such guarantee
- Minor drafts at door and window openings, and at electrical outlets
- Locating survey monuments and boundary lines
- Death of a tree which existed before construction of the house
- Depressions of less than six inches, unevenness, flaking of surface stones, or checking/cracking at the edges of asphalt driveways
- Efflorescence (white powder) on concrete and brick walls
- Sanding, painting, wall papering or refinishing of any drywall repairs
- Minor tool marks and blemishes in trim and other millwork surfaces
- Variations in colour and shading on cabinets, panels, trim, wood flooring, pickets and hand rails
- Replacement of faucet washers and “O” rings
- Exact colour match of any replacement material
- Consequential damages caused by any defect covered by this warranty.