Buying a new home should feel exciting, not overwhelming. Between choosing your layout, picking finishes, and imagining furniture placement, it’s easy to overlook the “less glamorous” stuff, like warranties. But here’s the thing: your new home warranty matters just as much as your kitchen backsplash.
If you’re building or moving into a brand-new home in Ontario, there’s one name you’ll want to get familiar with: Tarion. At Sally Creek Lifestyle Homes, we don’t just hand over the keys and say goodbye. We walk with you through the entire homeownership journey, including helping you understand what Tarion is and why it protects your future.
So grab a snack, and let’s walk through how Tarion helps protect one of your biggest life investments, your home.
What is Tarion?
Imagine yourself in this situation: You’ve just moved into your dream home. The light is perfect in the living room, your boxes are finally unpacked, and life is good. Then, something unexpected happens. A leak in the ceiling. A window that doesn’t close right. A weird rattle from the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning).
This is where Tarion comes in.
Tarion is the organization that administers Ontario’s new home warranty program. It’s been around since 1976 and exists to make sure builders meet the high standards set by the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act. Think of Tarion as your safety net; it’s there to protect your rights and hold your builder accountable for their work.
Tarion helps ensure that every newly built home meets provincial building codes and performance standards. It also steps in to help resolve disputes between homeowners and builders, which can be a huge relief if something goes sideways and you’re not sure what to do next.
Key Coverage Periods Under Tarion
The Tarion warranty isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s designed in layers, with different protections kicking in before and after you move in. Let’s walk through the stages and what’s included.
Coverage and Claims Before You Move In
Your warranty protection actually begins before you take possession of your new home. During this period, Tarion provides:
- Deposit protection, in case your builder cannot complete the home
- Delayed closing or occupancy compensation, if your home isn’t ready by the agreed-upon date
- Financial loss coverage for contract homes, such as homes built on your own land
These protections offer reassurance while your home is being completed, making sure your investment is safe even before you move in. You can learn more about each of these by visiting Tarion’s detailed breakdown of pre-possession coverage.
The Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI)
Before you officially take possession, you’ll participate in a Pre-Delivery Inspection—often referred to as the PDI. This is a detailed walkthrough of your new home, led by your builder.
The purpose of this inspection is to document anything that’s missing, incomplete, damaged, or not functioning properly. These items are recorded on the PDI Form to show that the issue existed before you moved in. It’s an important step in protecting your warranty rights and making sure everything is in order from the start.
Not sure how to prepare? Tarion’s website has great resources on what to look for and how to get ready for your inspection day.
1-Year Warranty
This kicks in the moment you take possession of your home. It covers:
- Requires a home is constructed in a workman-like manner and free from defects in material
- Protects against Ontario Building Code violations
- Applies for one year, beginning on the home’s date of possession even if the home is sold
- Protects against unauthorized substitutions
- Requires the home to be fit for habitation
This is your “get settled in” period. If something obvious isn’t working the way it should, you can (and should) report it.
2-Year Warranty
The second year goes a little deeper. Coverage includes:
- Protects against water penetration through the basement or foundation walls
- Protects against defects in work or materials that result in water penetration into the building envelope
- Covers defects in work or materials that result in the detachment, displacement or deterioration of exterior cladding (such as brickwork, aluminum or vinyl siding)
- Covers defects in work or materials in the electrical, plumbing and heating delivery and distribution systems
- Applies for two years, beginning on the home’s date of possession
- Protects against violations of the Ontario Building Code that affect health and safety
While this coverage includes major systems like your plumbing and HVAC, it’s important to note that Tarion is not an emergency repair service. If your furnace stops working in January, for example, you’ll need to call a qualified service technician first to restore heat, not Tarion. Any issues related to workmanship or defects can then be followed up through Tarion’s claims process if applicable.
This stage of coverage is about ensuring the essential systems in your home were properly installed and meet provincial standards, not about handling urgent repairs in real time.
7-Year Warranty
Major structural defect is any defect in work or materials in respect of a building, including a crack, distortion or displacement of a structural load-bearing element of the building, if it:
- results in failure of a structural load-bearing element of the building;
- materially and adversely affects the ability of a structural load-bearing element of the building to carry, bear and resist applicable structural loads for the usual and ordinary service life of the element; or
- materially and adversely affects the use of a significant portion of the building for usual and ordinary purposes of a residential dwelling and having regard to any specific use provisions set out in the purchase agreement for the home.
You might not see these issues right away, which is why this extended coverage exists. It’s peace of mind that lasts well beyond the excitement of move-in day.
What’s Not Covered (and That’s Okay!)
While Tarion has your back, it’s not a catch-all for every little ding or scratch. Here are a few things the warranty doesn’t cover:
- Normal wear and tear – Think scuffed floors or paint chips
- Damage from neglect or misuse – Skipping seasonal maintenance can contribute to these factors.
- Appliances and fixtures – Most come with their manufacturer’s warranties, so make sure you register those separately.
Owning a home also means learning a bit of homeowner TLC, cleaning eavestroughs, sealing windows, and all the stuff HGTV glosses over.
Why This All Matters
Imagine moving into your new home only to discover something’s wrong, and then learning you’re stuck with the repair bill. Tarion protects you from exactly that and makes the whole process less stressful.
Tarion coverage can help you by:
- Keeping you financially protected in the early years when big repairs could derail your budget
- Giving you a roadmap for what to expect and when
- Ensuring builders stay accountable for the quality of your home
- Giving you peace of mind so you can focus on settling in, not stressing out
For many of our buyers, especially first-time homeowners, just knowing there’s a trusted system in place makes the entire experience feel more manageable.
Helpful Tips for Homeowners
Your Tarion warranty is powerful, but only if you use it right. Here’s how to stay on top of things:
- Keep a Home Journal: Snap photos, jot down notes, and save receipts. It sounds simple, but it helps if you ever need to make a claim.
- Know Your Forms: There are specific forms for 30-day, 1-year, and 2-year claims. Mark those dates on your calendar.
- Ask Questions: Don’t be shy, Tarion and Sally Creek Lifestyle Homes are here to help guide you.
Sally Creek Lifestyle Homes & Tarion
Here at Sally Creek Lifestyle Homes, we follow Ontario’s building codes and go above and beyond them. As a registered and compliant Tarion builder, we design and build homes that reflect not only style and comfort but long-term durability and value.
We’re with you every step of the way. From first consultation to final walkthrough, Sally Creek provides advice, support, and a friendly voice when you have questions.
When you choose Sally Creek, you’re choosing a builder who cares about quality, honesty, and delivering you a dream home.
Your home is where your life unfolds. Tarion helps protect that, so you can spend less time worrying about repairs and more time enjoying morning coffees on the porch, movie nights in the living room, or summer barbecues in the backyard.
When you build with Sally Creek Lifestyle Homes, you get more than just four walls and a roof. You get a partner that understands your needs, answers your questions, and stands behind every detail we build. Let’s build something lasting, together. Contact us today.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. While we strive to provide accurate and current information about the Tarion Warranty, coverage details may change over time. For official and personalized guidance, please visit the Tarion website or contact Tarion Customer Service directly.