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Occasionally we will highlight a section of the warranty book just as a reminder of how things work or to demonstrate protections built into the warranties. This time, we thought a reminder of all the various warranty options available to you by virtue of your RWC membership might be helpful.

Let’s start off here: http://www.rwcwarranty.com/builders/whats-covered/. As an RWC Member, you have choices galore!

You can have a warranty with Major Structural Defect coverage or a warranty with coverage on Designated Structural Elements. You can have coverage that includes workmanship, materials, mechanical systems and structural components or you can pare it down to one that just covers structural components. You can stick to the traditional FHA/VA approved 10-year variety or customize it with a warranty that mirrors your state’s statutes.

That covers the “new home” variety of warranties. But we know that many builders out there do much more that build new homes. They remodel, they convert commercial structures into condos, they may build a detached garage and on and on.

That being said, check out the RWC Menu of Choices at rwclive.wpengine.com/builders/warranty-options/ 

- RemodelerWarranties with options to fit the job (and in states like Indiana & Minnesota, to meet state statutes as well)Commercial Warranties
- Conversion Warranties
- Building Systems Warranties
- HUD-Code Manufactured Home Warranties
- Appliance & Systems Extended Warranties*
- 1 Year Renewable Warranties
- Commercial Insurance Products (GL, Builder’s Risk, and Contractor’s Equipment)

*Available in select states only at this time.

We’re working hard to meet the needs of our Membership. If you have a need for a warranty and we don’t have a product to meet that need, let us know and we’ll look into it. We’re always on the lookout for ways to better serve our Members!

concrete block wall for foundation of a houseBuilding homes is a very complex thing. The National Association of Home Builders estimates that over 3,000 components are used in constructing a house. The single most problematic component for Residential Warranty Company, LLC (RWC) is the foundation, a wall of concrete block resting on a footing, supporting the full weight of the house, its contents, and inhabitants. This component is arguably the most important component. Why then is it the most problematic?

When designing and constructing a concrete block (CMU) foundation there are many very important elements that need to be considered. The single biggest dynamic that we are faced with is resistance to lateral movement. The forces that laterally impact CMU foundations should be considered when using this method of foundation construction. Steel reinforcement, introduction of pilasters, solid grout along with rebar in hollow cores and attention to backfill and soil types go a long way in constructing an adequate foundation wall that can resist lateral forces.

There are external factors that can affect CMU foundation performance. The height of the backfill along with the type of soil (clay, shale, sandy, expansive, etc.) may have required special attention when it was placed. The installation of perimeter drain systems whether internal or external will be evaluated. Is a sump pump installed and has the homeowner been proactive in using and maintaining the system? If the system is day lighted, is the line clear and does it function properly? Hydrostatic pressure created from over saturated soil has tremendous weight that can test the limits of the foundation wall if a potential water condition is not mitigated.

When a claim is made to RWC, a fact-finding inspection is ordered. A licensed professional engineer is scheduled to visit the home and assess all aspects of the condition reported. RWC will contact you and ask for any documentation you have regarding the construction of this home. If upon review of the fact-finding inspection report in relation to the Limited Warranty applicable to the home, the condition of the defect meets the specified criteria for coverage, RWC is obligated to take action. In most instances the mode of foundation movement is lateral and our responsibility is to restore the load-bearing function of the foundation wall. The engineer will evaluate the unbalanced fill condition as he evaluates the foundation wall. Any actions that the homeowner may have taken regarding landscaping, patio installation, modifications to the downspout locations or re-routing of the downspouts along with overall grading and drainage that may have been modified after the home was delivered by the Builder, are noted and taken into consideration.

During this phase of the claim, RWC will again reach out to your company. As the Builder, you have the most knowledge about this home. You have been intimate with this structure from the first idea that a home should be constructed until settlement changes title to your buyer. We understand and respect that you are most knowledgeable. We rely on your expert knowledge and ask that you provide us with the details regarding how this foundation was designed and built. This will include requests for drawings and details regarding any service orders or warranty claims that you have dealt in the first two years of the homes life. Anything that you can provide to us so we can carefully evaluate every aspect of this covered condition.

RWC will be required to provide a settlement offer, or in some cases, make repairs that will restore the load-bearing function to the CMU foundation. We are not obligated to rebuild the foundation wall however this may be necessary dependent on the severity of the lateral displacement. Our efforts commonly involve reinforcement utilizing solid core grouting and rebar installation and more recently the use of carbon fiber reinforcement. This work is most often performed from the interior of the home negating the extensive cost of exterior excavation. It is important to recognize that this work will be accomplished in accordance with a sealed structural repair plan provided by a licensed engineer and the work will be certified at completion by the same professional. Remember, the Limited Warranty requires that the load-bearing function be restored, that does not necessarily mean that a wall that shows signs of lateral movement needs to be plumb when the repairs are complete.

RWC understands that you are truly professional Builders. When we have to deal with this significant structural problem we know you have done your due diligence throughout the construction process and you will be able to provide us with the important data we need to ensure a fair evaluation of the claim and an adequate repair when required.

Written by Don Sechler, RWC Warranty Resolution

The new home building industry saw positive improvements over the past few years and continues to be on the upswing. The nation’s vacant home inventory is becoming depleted and new homes are being built to meet the demand. Buyers have more confidence so not only are homes being built, but they’re being bought.

What are you doing to entice buyers and set yourself apart from your competitors? What kind of bells and whistles are you including in your homes that other builders are not? How are you promoting your quality and strength? What’s your response to a potential buyer when they ask, “What if I have a problem in my home?”

That’s a real concern for buyers. None of us can forget how difficult the economy has been in the past. Home buyers, especially want to be assured they’re getting the most for their money and that they’re purchasing a home from a reputable, quality builder.

By providing RWC’s warranty, you’re proving to your customers that if there’s a problem in their home, it will be corrected. We investigate all of our members. We want to be sure RWC members have a solid reputation, build a quality home, have financial strength, and provide excellent customer service. You don’t just subscribe to RWC. You earn your membership, so be sure to proudly include and display the fact that you’re an RWC member. Add our logo to your printed materials and media advertising and add a link on your website to our Homeowners page.

This will also help you compete against resale homes on the market. Most resale homes include a third party warranty. Quality, reputation, reliability, warranties and assurance are all very important factors in a home buying decision.

Have you ever had a difficult homeowner after the sale? RWC can help you there, too. Our dispute resolution process is extremely effective. We have trained individuals that assist you and your homeowner through a free mediation process. Mediation is efficient and effective. From time to time, a homeowner isn’t satisfied with the outcome. For those occasions, binding arbitration is available. Again, RWC’s staff assists the parties through this process. It’s not necessary for you to hire an attorney.

Now that homebuilding is gearing up again, be sure to emphasize your advantages. Don’t miss out on sales because you didn’t promote yourself adequately. In addition to your company’s profile information, be sure to advertise that you provide an insured, third party warranty from the nation’s largest warranty company. The benefits are numerous for your homebuyers and for you.

house with shield in front of it with RWC logoWhen a builder provides a warranty on a newly built home, what exactly does that mean to your buyer and to you? It means protection, security, peace of mind and value. And a warranty from Residential Warranty Company, LLC will provide just that. One of the least expensive, longest lasting products a builder can purchase for the homes they build is an RWC warranty.

So why exactly is RWC your best choice?

OPTIONS: The RWC “Menu of Choices” allows you the ability to offer the best Warranty program for your business. From our FHA/VA accepted Standard 10 Year Warranty to our Day 1 Coverage Warranty to our Customized State New Home Warranty to our Remodelers Warranty and more, we have what your business needs.

FLEXIBILITY: RWC’s members are able to pick and choose which Warranty options to use and which projects they wish to enroll. We do not require 100% enrollment on detached homes.

MARKETING FEATURES: RWC provides its members with FREE attractive marketing materials to help promote your business and set yourself apart from your competition.

EASY: RWC offers online enrollment, the ability to order marketing materials, renew memberships and run reports through Warranty Express.

EXPERIENCE: RWC has been in business for 35+ years and has warranted over 3 million homes to date. The average tenure of our employees is 18 years.

STRENGTH: RWC’s insurer, Western Pacific Mutual Insurance Company (WPMIC), A Risk Retention Group, is A.M. Best rated “A- (Excellent)”. WPMIC insures only our thoroughly screened builder members and no other catastrophic risks such as planes, trains or automobiles, which can affect an insurer’s strength and equity. Less risk equals more strength. In fact, WPMIC currently has over $111 million in surplus equity.

CREDIBILITY: RWC’s membership criteria presents us with the strongest builder members. This screening process reinforces your credibility as an RWC member.

PROTECTION: RWC offers FREE mediation. When needed, binding arbitration is also available. Both offer effective resolution for Warranty disputes. This reduces your risk of litigation and legal fees.

ADVOCACY: RWC provides support to the Home Building Industry through our involvement and financial contributions as a member of local, state and national Home Builder Associations across the United States.

Our mission is to provide a level of security to homeowners and Builders alike. We can help you in maintaining or improving your customer service, define and limit your liability, and provide the warranty and insurance products your company needs. For more information, don’t hesitate to call 800-247-1812 x2149 or email sales@rwcwarranty.com.

 

Home builder hammering wood frame of house.Residential Warranty Company, LLC (RWC), HOME of Texas and MHWC will be attending the 2017 International Builders Show (IBS) in Orlando, Florida January 10-12, 2017. Be sure to stop by booth #W5571 to learn why new home warranties are an essential ingredient for your business. Whether you are a builder, remodeler or manufacturer, providing a new home warranty is a great way to enhance the value of your homes, strengthen your reputation and get a competitive edge in the marketplace.

As you know, it’s not strictly business at IBS. Before you head off to the House Party or the Spike Concert, have some fun with RWC and try your luck at our Wheel-O-Warranty prize wheel! Not only will you walk away with one of many great prizes, but you will also be entered into our grand prize drawing for a $1000 Visa gift card. Celebrate a brand new year with the innovative leader in new home warranties, RWC!

 

Pisa Leaning tower and Cathedra, and tourists l in Italy in summertimeOn August 14, 1173 Bonanno Pisano, began construction on an 183’ high marble and stone bell tower in Pisa, Italy. It took nearly 200 years to complete, but trouble started long before. Within five years of breaking ground, the bell tower began to lean due to a shallow foundation set in unstable subsoil. The design was flawed from the beginning. A builder’s worst nightmare? Just the opposite. Today the Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the world’s most visited tourist destinations.

For the rest of us less able to make lemonade from the occasional lemons we’re handed, we need help. Fortunately, for Pisa, the tower’s lean hasn’t caused it to fall over on all those cash-carrying tourists…yet. If that ever happens, the contractor responsible for maintaining the famous landmark better have general liability insurance. Otherwise, it could become the world’s most famous uninsured construction defect claim. Of course, the tower has been standing for over 600 years without falling, so what else is there to worry about? Each year in this country more than seven million injuries are attributed to “slip and fall” accidents. Imagine how many tourists may have slipped or fallen going up and down the steps of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Now imagine how many would-be buyers might slip or fall at one of your model homes or active job sites.

Nobody likes thinking about third party liability claims. Bonanno Pisano didn’t have to because he didn’t live to see his project completed. You’re probably planning on being around for a while and I’m guessing those plans don’t include losing everything you’ve worked for because someone was seriously injured at one of your job sites. If my guess is right, we’d like to help. Give RWC Insurance Advantage a chance to review your current general liability coverage. Call us at (866) 454-2155 and ask for Ron Sweigert or click here for a free no obligation quote.

It’s competitive out there and customers are looking for the best value in the HUD-Code manufactured homes they buy. Increase your value by adding a MHWC written, insured new home warranty to every HUD-Code home you build. You benefit from an enhanced reputation, an excellent marketing tool and the best warranty program on the market.

You know a warranty is paramount, but how do you decide which one is the right fit for your business? MHWC is happy to help. Together with its national affiliate Residential Warranty Company, LLC (RWC), MHWC has put together a wide array of warranty programs and services, including warranties for new HUD-Code homes, additions, remodeling projects, building systems and detached garages.

Historically, the standard ten year warranty is what the industry has provided and is the coverage Builders have become accustomed to over the years. With MHWC, Builder/Dealers and Manufacturers may choose between “full” coverage and “structural only” coverage. In either option, your liability as the Member is limited.

“Structural Only Coverage” means that coverage is provided for the structural or load-bearing components of the home for the entire warranty term.
• You continue to use your own customer service program to address workmanship, materials & mechanical systems issues in the first year.
• You’ll pay less to enroll a home in a structural only plan.
• You’ll have access to MHWC’s effective dispute resolution system for structural issues, which includes free mediation. Binding arbitration is also available if needed.
• Non-structural customer service issues must be resolved by your own customer service program.

“Full Coverage” means that we couple Structural Coverage together with industry-accepted standards for first year items (workmanship, materials, and selected portions of mechanical systems).
• By far, “full” coverage warranties are our most widely used programs.
• Clearly written set of warranty standards to spell out coverage are provided for you and your homebuyers.
• Includes 1 year of coverage on workmanship & materials and on selected portions of mechanical systems.
• Includes coverage on major structural components for the entire warranty term.
• You’ll have access to MHWC’s effective dispute resolution system, even on first year customer service issues, which can be a valuable tool in managing your service needs. This dispute resolution system includes free mediation. Binding arbitration is available if needed.

We are more than happy to answer questions and help you review your program choices that best fits your business. Contact Tifanee McCall at 800-247-1812 x2132 or sales@mhwconline.com for more information.

Looking for a professional & customer service oriented builder warranty program to enhance your reputation, marketing and risk management?

Check out the Top 10 Reasons to look no further than the RWC Family of Companies!

1. Limited Liability

2. Widely Recognized New Home Feature

3. Menu of Choices

4. Competitive Rates

5. Government Approved Financing

6. Customer Service

7. Marketing

8. Experienced Warranty Provider

9. RWC Insurance Advantage

10. Value to your Buyers

For more information on how the RWC warranties can impact your business, call us at 800-247-1812, Ext 2149 or email sales@rwcwarranty.com.

RWC, HOME & MHWC –

We Have New Home Warranties Nailed!

All of the Builder warranty programs offered by Residential Warranty Company, LLC, HOME of Texas or MHWC feature mandatory binding arbitration of Unresolved Warranty Issues.* RWC and its Builder members have been very successful at persuading courts to recognize and enforce the warranty’s mandatory binding arbitration provision. Courts across the country have removed cases from the courthouse and directed them to arbitration under our Limited Warranty Programs.

A good example can be found in this case study. Residential Warranty Company, LLC (RWC) had issued a warranty on a home, which was in Year 1 of coverage, and the homeowners filed a lawsuit against the Builder. The Builder was well equipped to defend himself with the home warranty book, the application for warranty and his own contract, which included language that made the RWC home warranty, including the warranty’s binding arbitration language, applicable to any alleged warranty defects in the home. Even though the homeowners argued that RWC’s warranty should not be enforced in that state, the court endorsed RWC’s warranty, and the motion brought by the Builder to compel arbitration and dismiss the homeowners’ lawsuit was granted in its entirety.

Consequently, the homeowners initiated a request for warranty performance with RWC. Prior to arbitration, the Builder’s home warranty provides for informal mediation. The parties agreed to use RWC’s mediation to try to settle the disputes about the alleged warranty defects. RWC became actively involved mediating between the homeowners and the Builder. Through this mediation, communication between the homeowners and the Builder improved and several items were amicably resolved. We were encouraged that most, if not all warranty items, would soon be resolved in the same way. At the conclusion of mediation, if any items remained unresolved, the homeowners and Builder would proceed to binding arbitration under the terms of the warranty.

This is a real case and a great example of how RWC’s mandatory binding arbitration provision is an effective tool in preventing litigation. It also supports the value of using RWC’s mediation process to resolve disputes about alleged warranty defects in the homes you build. To get more information on how to best utilize the mediation and arbitration provisions of your RWC, HOME or MHWC builder warranty, contact us at sales@rwcwarranty.com to schedule a Warranty Training Seminar.

*Note that the mandatory arbitration provision is removed by the HUD addendum, and thus mandatory arbitration does not apply to warranties placed on FHA/VA financed homes.

RWC’s new home warranties are packed with “value added” features – features that provide heightened security, resale value, and an important measure of peace of mind for homeowners.

Yes, it’s essential that you have a strong home warranty under your belt to ensure home protection; but don’t just stop there. There are additional ways to ensure your home holds up over time, including seasonal maintenance inspections.

A part of being a responsible homeowner is checking on things before they go haywire. Inspecting your home on a regular basis and following good maintenance practices is one of the surest ways to keep your home happy all year long. Plus, these regularly scheduled seasonal maintenance inspections can help prevent costly problems from occurring.

If you haven’t completed your fall maintenance inspection, there’s no time like the present! Fall is the time to get your home ready for the coming winter, which is often the most grueling season for your home.

There are a number of indoor and outdoor maintenance tasks to complete each fall. 'Tis the season to service your heating system, check your chimneys and electrical systems, clean your chimneys, gutters and ridge vents, fortify your home’s exterior, check the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and so on. Though tempting, it’s important that you do not overlook these important tasks. If you do, you are likely to pay…literally. Plus, many of these items left undone can be major safety hazards.

For a complete fall maintenance checklist, we invite you to take a look at our handy resource.

And remember, if you don’t have the time or energy to conduct these periodic home maintenance inspections yourself, there’s always the option of paying someone to do the dirty work! Either way, it’s in your home’s best interest to get these seasonal items checked off your list of to-dos.

Questions regarding RWC’s home warranties? Don’t hesitate to contact us. Discover the value of an RWC homeowner warranty today!