When you buy or build a new home in Alberta, you’re automatically covered by the Alberta New Home Warranty Program (ANHWP). Most buyers know the warranty exists — fewer understand exactly what it covers, what it doesn’t, and what to do when something goes wrong.
This post breaks down the ANHWP warranty in plain language, what your builder’s obligations are, and how to protect yourself if an issue comes up during the warranty period.
| “Alberta’s new home warranty isn’t optional. Every builder must be registered with the ANHWP. If a builder isn’t registered, they cannot legally build new homes in Alberta.” |
What Is the Alberta New Home Warranty Program?
The ANHWP is a mandatory warranty program that provides protection on every new home built in Alberta. It’s backed by private warranty providers (not the government), and your builder must be registered with a licensed provider before they can legally build.
The warranty follows the home — not the builder. If you sell the home during the warranty period, the remaining coverage transfers to the new owner.
What Does the Warranty Cover?
The ANHWP provides three tiers of coverage:
| Coverage Period | What’s Covered |
| 1 Year — Workmanship & Materials | Defects in materials and workmanship throughout the home. Includes things like improper installation, substandard finishing, and defective materials. |
| 2 Years — Mechanical Systems | Defects in the delivery and distribution systems: electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and HRV. Covers failures in how these systems were installed, not normal wear and maintenance. |
| 10 Years — Structural Defects | Defects that affect the load-bearing elements of the home: foundation, load-bearing walls, beams, columns, and roof structure. This is the big-ticket coverage. |
Coverage amounts vary by warranty provider, but most ANHWP providers cover up to $265,000 total per home, with specific caps on each tier. Review your warranty certificate for the exact limits on your build.
What the Warranty Does NOT Cover
Understanding the exclusions is just as important as knowing the coverage. The ANHWP warranty generally does not cover:
- Normal wear and tear (paint scuffs, minor settling cracks in drywall, weatherstripping wear)
- Damage caused by the homeowner (improper maintenance, alterations, or neglect)
- Cosmetic issues that don’t affect function or structural integrity
- Landscaping, driveways, fences, and detached structures unless covered by a separate agreement
- Appliances — these come with manufacturer warranties, not the ANHWP
- Consequential or secondary damage caused by an excluded item
This is why the pre-possession deficiency walkthrough matters. Items that are clearly a workmanship issue get documented before keys change hands. After possession, you’re relying on the warranty process.
How to Make a Warranty Claim
If you believe an issue is covered under your ANHWP warranty, here’s how the process works:
- Document the issue with photos and written description as soon as you notice it.
- Contact your builder first. Most builders prefer to resolve warranty issues directly and will respond faster than going through the warranty provider.
- If your builder doesn’t respond or disputes the claim, contact your ANHWP warranty provider directly. They will assign a mediator or inspector.
- If the claim isn’t resolved through the provider, ANHWP has a conciliation process.
- Structural defect claims follow a separate assessment process given their complexity and cost.
Time limits matter. Report workmanship defects within the first year. Mechanical defects within two years. Structural issues within ten. Missing these windows can void your claim.
Builder Obligations Under the ANHWP
Your builder’s obligations don’t end at possession. Under the ANHWP, they are required to:
- Repair or replace defects covered under each warranty tier when reported within the time window
- Respond to warranty claims within a reasonable timeframe (typically 10 business days for non-emergency items)
- Address emergency items — like a failed furnace in January — within 24 hours
A builder who becomes difficult to reach after possession is a red flag. Ask any builder you’re considering: how do you handle warranty claims? What’s your response time? Who do clients call after possession?
Landry Homes’ Approach to Warranty
We enroll every home with the ANHWP before possession and provide clients with their full warranty documentation at the time of handover. We also provide a trades contact list — so if something comes up with a specific system, clients know exactly who to call.
Our philosophy is straightforward: we stand behind the homes we build. A warranty claim isn’t a problem — it’s part of the job. Clients who call us after possession get the same response they got during the build.
Tips for Protecting Your Warranty Coverage
- Read your warranty certificate before possession and ask your builder to walk you through it
- Keep records of all maintenance you perform on the home — this protects you if a dispute arises about whether damage is maintenance-related
- Don’t make structural alterations without permits — unpermitted work can void warranty coverage
- Report issues in writing, not just by phone — email creates a paper trail
- Don’t attempt to fix covered defects yourself before the builder has seen them — self-repair can complicate a claim
Ready to Start?
Every Landry Homes build comes with full ANHWP enrollment and a clear handover of your warranty documentation. If you have questions about what a warranty covers on your specific build, that’s a conversation we welcome before you sign.
Building custom homes across Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Leduc, and surrounding communities.
Let’s talk about your build.
☎ 780-257-8642 | jamie@landryhomes.ca | Book a Free Consultation →
