What Is the Warranty Period in Construction?
By Wyatt Cooper · Published · 3 min read
Key takeaways
- The warranty period is the time after completion when the contractor must correct defective work at no cost; one year is the common contract term.
- Each warranty has its own start date and length: the contractor's, often from completion or acceptance, and each manufacturer's, sometimes from startup or shipment.
- Under the federal clause, work repaired under warranty gets its own fresh one-year warranty from the date of the repair.
The warranty period is the length of time after completion during which the contractor must correct defective work at its own cost, as the contract sets it. A one-year correction period from completion or final acceptance is common, while roofs, equipment and other products often carry longer manufacturer warranties with their own start dates.
How a warranty period works
The federal warranty of construction clause is a clear model. The contractor warrants the work, and "This warranty shall continue for a period of 1 year from the date of final acceptance of the work". The contractor fixes failures at its own expense, "The Contractor's warranty with respect to work repaired or replaced will run for 1 year from the date of repair or replacement", and if it does not act within a reasonable time after notice, the government may remedy the defect "at the Contractor's expense" (FAR 52.246-21). Private contracts set their own terms, often a one-year correction period from substantial completion.
Owners do best when they inspect before the period ends. The federal closeout specification schedules a "4-Month and 9-Month Warranty Review": a walk-through with the facility staff that separates "warranty-related deficiencies" from "issues resulting from normal wear, improper operation, or lack of maintenance" (UFGS 01 78 00, 1.9.6). The warranty letters themselves come in the closeout package; see what an owner gets at closeout.
Example
| Warranty | Starts | Term | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| General contractor's correction period | June 30, 2027 (final acceptance) | 1 year | June 30, 2028 |
| Rooftop unit compressors (manufacturer) | May 15, 2027 (startup) | 5 years | May 15, 2032 |
| Roof membrane (manufacturer) | April 1, 2027 (roof inspection) | 20 years | April 1, 2047 |
| Leak at a storefront joint, repaired | March 10, 2028 (repair date) | 1 year | March 10, 2029 |
The last row is the federal rule for repaired work: the repair has its own one-year warranty, so it outlasts the original June 30, 2028 date. Equipment warranties are often in the O&M manual as well as in the warranty letters.
How it works in Conflo
In Conflo's warranties log, each warranty records the item covered, the responsible company, the spec section, the start date and the term in months, and the expiration date is worked out for you. Warranties ending within 90 days are flagged as expiring, the list is sorted soonest first, and each one keeps a contact to call or email.
The bottom line
The warranty period is the window for getting defects fixed at the contractor's cost, and every warranty has its own start date.
Log each one with its start and term at closeout, walk the building before the first year ends, and give written notice the day you find a defect.
Sources
- FAR 52.246-21, Warranty of Construction — Acquisition.gov, U.S. General Services Administration. Read October 22, 2026.
- UFGS 01 78 00, Closeout Submittals (August 2026) — Whole Building Design Guide (USACE / NAVFAC / AFCEC). Read October 22, 2026.
Questions
When does the construction warranty period start?
When the contract says: often substantial completion on private work, and final acceptance under the federal clause. Manufacturer warranties may start at startup or shipment.
Is the one-year warranty the only protection?
No. The correction period is a contract remedy; manufacturer warranties and the owner's other legal rights for defects can last longer.
What should an owner do when a defect appears?
Give the contractor written notice right away, with photos and the location, and keep a record of when it was reported and fixed.
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