RenoBinderThe last check is written and the dust is gone. Spend one evening putting the paperwork in order. It pays off the first time a faucet drips, a tile cracks, or a buyer's agent asks what was done.
Two kinds of warranty
- Workmanship warranty, from your contractor. It covers the installation. Get it in writing: the FTC warns that a business might later refuse to honor a spoken promise that isn't in writing (FTC), and California's CSLB says to get any contractor warranty for labor and materials in writing (CSLB). Note how long it lasts and who to call.
- Manufacturer warranties, on products. These cover faucets, appliances, flooring, windows, and so on. Under FTC rules, a written warranty on a consumer product costing more than $15 must spell out in one document what's covered, what the warrantor will do, when coverage starts and how long it lasts, and the steps to make a claim (16 CFR 701.3).
Many product warranties also require installation to the manufacturer's instructions, so keep the installation and care guides with the warranty.
Keep the warranties in RenoBinder
The Home Finishes Record stores the brands, models, and dates. One room is free.
Start your free projectDo you have to mail in the registration card?
Save the decisions and the budget in one place. One room is free.
Start a free planFor a full warranty, no. FTC rules say that making a registration card a condition of coverage under a full warranty is an unreasonable duty. A card can be offered as one way to prove the purchase date, but the warranty must say that not returning it won't affect your rights if you can show the purchase date another way (16 CFR 700.7). Limited warranties can work differently: the FTC notes that sometimes you'll have to return a registration card first to qualify for warranty service, so read the terms. Either way, the FTC suggests saving a copy of the warranty with your receipt, which proves the purchase date (FTC).
The closeout file
| Keep | Why |
|---|---|
| Contract, change orders, and the final invoice | Shows what was agreed and what was done |
| Proof of payment | For warranty claims, disputes, and your tax basis |
| Final lien releases (and, in California, the recorded Notice of Completion) | Proves the subs and suppliers were paid. See lien waivers |
| Permits and final inspection sign-offs | Buyers and insurers may ask. No permit on file? See contractor didn't pull a permit. |
| Workmanship warranty | Length, coverage, contact |
| Product list: brand, model, color or finish, size, where bought, date | So you can reorder, repair, or claim |
| Paint: brand, color name and code, sheen, room | Touch-ups |
| Manuals and care instructions | Some warranties depend on proper care |
| Photos of open walls before drywall | Where the pipes, wires, and blocking are |
| Leftover tile and flooring, labeled | A matching repair later |
That last row matters. Wayne Tile notes that a later box may come from a different dye lot and not match, and recommends keeping extra tile for future repairs (Wayne Tile). The NKBA's final inspection form for its members includes confirming the owner has received all warranty and operating literature (NKBA BMF25, PDF). If you didn't get yours, ask now.
How long to keep it
- Taxes: improvements can add to your home's basis, which affects the gain when you sell. The IRS says to keep those records, in general, until 3 years after the due date of your tax return for the year you sell (IRS Pub. 523). More in tracking remodel receipts.
- Complaints: in California, CSLB can act on license-law violations for up to four years from the act (CSLB).
- Selling: in Texas, a seller must give a buyer, on request, an affidavit that the bills for improvements were paid (Tex. Prop. Code § 53.085). Rules vary by state.
Put the finishes in one place
When you finish a project, RenoBinder builds a free Home Finishes Record from it: brands, models, paint codes, and warranties, readable whenever you need them.
The record is free. Home Record+ ($19/yr) keeps it editable as you replace things and emails you before a warranty runs out. If you cancel, the record stays readable. Still mid-project across several rooms? See the Project Pass ($49) and Whole-Home ($89) on the pricing page.
Start free and build your Home Finishes Record →General information, not legal or tax advice. Warranty terms, lien rules, and record-keeping periods vary by product and by state. Check your warranty documents and a tax professional.
Keep the warranties in RenoBinder
The Home Finishes Record stores the brands, models, and dates. One room is free.
Start your free projectLaunch offer: 30% off with code LAUNCH30