Understanding Minnesota Construction Warranty Laws: A Homeowner’s Guide

When you purchase a new construction home or hire contractors to build a custom home for you, you expect quality craftsmanship and a build that stands the test of time. Unfortunately, sometimes defects in construction create problems soon after construction is finished. For Minnesota homeowners, understanding Minnesota construction warranty laws is essential to make sure that you are equipped to protect your investment.

What Are Minnesota Statutory Warranties?

The population of Minnesota is growing. Between the 2020 census and the end of 2024, the state saw an estimated population growth of 2.4%. In Minneapolis alone, the number of households is expected to grow to 231,000 by 2050, increasing from 210,000 in 2024. This population growth translates to significant upticks in construction rates

With construction projects come construction problems. This is true even when homeowners, contractors, and developers have good intentions. To protect homeowners from defects that are present when their homes are built, the state of Minnesota has statutory warranties, which are legally required warranties that apply to new construction homes and home improvement work. These warranties are laid out in Minnesota Statutes Section 327A

For new construction work, the statutory warranties are as follows:

• There is a one-year warranty covering faulty craftsmanship or defective building materials related to noncompliance with construction standards.
• There is a two-year warranty for heating, cooling, electrical, and plumbing system problems arising from noncompliance with construction standards.
• There is a ten-year warranty covering major defects in the home’s construction related to noncompliance with construction standards.

For home improvement work, the statutory warranties are the same, except for the two-year warranty on heating, cooling, electrical, and plumbing systems. That point does not apply to home improvement work because the work may not pertain to those systems in any way

What Happens if You Need to File a Claim

If you have a problem with your new construction home or home improvement work that is covered under a statutory warranty, you must follow a prescribed series of steps to have the issue addressed. It is also important to note that any warranty claims must be made within six months of the date the issue becomes apparent, or should have become apparent. Statutory warranties also do not apply when damage is caused by the actions of the homeowner

The first step is to notify the relevant contractor of the problem. This must be a written communication. After the contractor receives the notice, they have 30 days to inspect the work, and 15 days from the date of their inspection to provide you with an offer for repair. If they do not comply or miss these deadlines, you can file a court claim.

These steps and deadlines for action are the same whether the work in question is a new construction home or a home improvement project.

Have a Warranty Claim? Hire a Construction Attorney

If you’re having trouble understanding Minnesota construction warranty laws, hire a construction attorney to help you get the clarity you deserve. Contact Minnesota Construction Law Services on Centre Pointe Drive to discuss your case.