Get the remodel warranty in writing before you sign

"We stand behind our work" is not a warranty. A warranty is a written promise: what is covered, for how long, and what you do when something fails. There is no single national rule that every remodel comes with a one-year warranty. If the contractor is offering one, get it on the page before you sign. The questions to ask in the meeting are in questions to ask a remodel contractor.

What to get on the page

• ☐ Which work. Labor, materials, or both, and which parts of the job are left out.
• ☐ How long, and from which day. Completion, final inspection, or the day you move back in are different dates. Write the one they mean.
• ☐ Who you call. The company on the contract, not a salesperson who may not be there next year.
• ☐ What you have to do. Maryland's consumer page, for a warranty that is offered, says the writing should include any maintenance they require, what they will do, how you ask for a repair, and any informal way they settle a dispute (Maryland Home Improvement Commission).
• ☐ Manufacturer warranties. Windows, roofing, appliances, and fixtures often have their own warranties. Ask for those papers, in your name where the manufacturer allows it.
• ☐ Promises from the sales meeting. The FTC says the contract should include promises made in conversations about the scope and the cost of labor and materials (FTC). A warranty mentioned in the kitchen belongs in that stack.

Two state examples, not a national rule

• California. The Contractors State License Board tells owners: if the contractor offers a warranty on labor or materials, get it in writing, including which parts are covered and the duration. Ask for written manufacturer warranties on materials or appliances the contractor installs. The same guide says consumers have four years to file a complaint with the board about a faulty project, and that the deadline can be extended when additional warranties are written into the contract (CSLB, home improvement contracts).
• Maryland. If a contractor offers a guaranty, the writing has to include the items listed above. The Home Improvement Commission says it typically does not enforce those warranties. Its authority is about whether the original work was done in a workmanlike way, and a warranty is only as useful as the company that issued it (MHIC).

Your state may say something else, or nothing. Read the contract you were given, and ask your state contractor board what it actually requires. Do not assume a one-year term because a friend had one.

What a warranty is not

• It is not the punch list. The punch list is unfinished or incorrect work before the last payment. The warranty is what happens after you have accepted the job. Both should be in writing. See final payment and the punch list.
• It is not your homeowners policy. Insurance and a workmanship promise answer different questions. See insurance for a home remodel.
• It is not a reason to skip a written complaint later. If the work was poor, the steps are in contractor did poor work. A warranty clause does not replace photos, dates, and a written request to fix it.

Keep the paper where you can find it

File the signed warranty with the contract, the product manuals, and the date the clock starts. What to keep after a remodel is the longer list. RenoBinder's Home Finishes Record stores brands, models, and dates when you mark the project complete. One room is free.

This is general information, not legal advice. Rules vary by state; for a dispute, talk to a licensed attorney or your state contractor board.

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