Maryland law requires builders to provide at least a 1-year workmanship warranty, a 2-year mechanical warranty (HVAC, plumbing, electrical), and a 5-year structural warranty. Industry practice extends structural coverage to 10 years. The Maryland Home Builder Guaranty Fund covers up to $50,000 if a builder fails to honor their warranty.
Quick Answer
Maryland law requires builders to provide at least a 1-year workmanship warranty, a 2-year mechanical warranty (HVAC, plumbing, electrical), and a 5-year structural warranty. Industry practice extends structural coverage to 10 years. The Maryland Home Builder Guaranty Fund covers up to $50,000 if a builder fails to honor their warranty.
New Construction Builder Warranty in Maryland: What's Covered and How Long
TL;DR: Maryland law (Real Property §10-604 + COMAR 09.01.09) mandates minimum builder warranty coverage of 1 year for workmanship, 2 years for mechanical systems, and 5 years for structural defects. Most builders offer 10-year structural coverage in practice. If a builder won't honor their warranty, the Maryland Home Builder Guaranty Fund covers up to $50,000 per claim.
What Maryland law requires
Maryland Real Property §10-604 and COMAR 09.01.09 set the minimum warranty periods every licensed builder must provide:
- 1 year: Workmanship and materials — cosmetic defects, finish work, trim, windows, doors
- 2 years: Mechanical systems — HVAC, plumbing, electrical
- 5 years: Structural defects — foundation, load-bearing walls, roof framing
- 10 years: Industry standard (not legally required, but common with national builders like Tri Pointe and Pulte)
Active Bethesda-area builders offering new construction include Tri Pointe Northpark Towns (from $899,900) and Pulte Homes Potomac ($624,990–$1,449,990). Both offer warranty programs that meet or exceed Maryland minimums.
What's excluded
Builder warranties typically exclude: insect or pest damage, damage from owner negligence or improper maintenance, normal settling and shrinkage, Acts of God (covered by homeowners insurance instead), and damage from non-residential use of the property. Read your warranty documents at closing — not after something fails.
The Maryland Home Builder Guaranty Fund
If your builder goes out of business or refuses to honor a legitimate warranty claim, Maryland's Home Builder Guaranty Fund provides a backstop of up to $50,000 per claim. The filing window is 3 years from the date of closing. Contact the Maryland Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division: (410) 576-6573 / (877) 259-4525.
When to use warranty vs. homeowners insurance
Builder warranty covers defects in construction. Homeowners insurance covers sudden damage from external events (fire, storm, burst pipe from a weather event). The two work together — if a structural defect leads to water intrusion, that's a warranty claim. If a storm blows off the roof, that's insurance.