There’s a certain feeling that comes with moving into a newly built home. Everything feels pristine and untouched, with that unmistakable “new home scent” (spoiler – it’s the paint).

A new home can be like a blank slate that’s just waiting for you to add your own touch and personality. This is what’s so appealing to many buyers – the home has never been lived in and everything is new. In fact, Tarion’s New Home Buyers Reports have consistently found that buyers are often drawn to newer homes for the peace of mind they offer and the reduced need for immediate repairs.

The first days, weeks, and months in your new home will be a time of transition. You’ll be getting used to your new home and figuring out how everything works. During this period, you may notice little details and question whether it’s something you need to be concerned about. Maybe it’s a door that sticks slightly or a hairline crack where the wall meets the ceiling.

Before the alarm bells go off, it helps to know what you can expect as your new home becomes “lived in” and when you might want to reach out to your builder.

Use the Home Explorer Tool

If you buy a new pair of shoes, it sometimes takes a while to break them in enough to make them feel comfortable. New homes also go through a bit of a breaking in period when building materials adjust to the regular cycles of heating and cooling and other daily routines.

For example, a concrete basement floor might take time to cure and could end up with tiny cracks. Often this is just the nature of concrete, and these small cosmetic items aren’t a cause for concern.

If you notice something, don’t ignore it. If you have any questions or concerns, you should reach out to your builder.

Another option is the Home Explorer Tool on Tarion’s website. Home Explorer is a simple interface with a 3D rendering of a home or condo, and which lets you click on whatever part of the home you are looking at (for example, a concrete floor). The tool will identify the relevant section of the Construction Performance Guidelines and will provide guidance to you on whether there is a problem that needs to be addressed.

If after checking with your builder, and seeing what the Home Explorer says, you still have questions, you can reach out to Tarion for assistance.

The first-year warranty process

The warranty process is set up to recognize that minor things can arise as a house settles over the first year.

To reduce the stress of coordinating with a builder to visit every time a minor item may come up, the process groups all the items together at the 41-day mark, the six-month mark and the end of the first year. This provides time for the house to fully settle, and time for you to communicate with your builder for efficient warranty service.

Our data shows that more than 95 per cent of new-home buyers have their minor first year items addressed with their builder without having to escalate things further with Tarion.

What you can do to help

As you settle into your new home, your new home is settling in as well – and there are some things you can do to manage that process and reduce the likelihood that normal environmental changes will put stress on your homes finishings and surfaces.

A few simple steps can help, especially in the first year:

• Keep indoor temperatures steady. Sudden swings in heat or cooling can cause materials to expand, contract or dry out too quickly – resulting in damage.
• Use bathroom and kitchen fans regularly. Everyday activities such as showering and cooking add moisture to the air, and ventilation helps manage humidity.
• Open windows occasionally or use vents when weather allows. Airflow helps the home continue to dry out and can reduce condensation.
• Give the home time to settle before major decorating. New materials may still be drying and shifting, so waiting can help avoid having to redo the job.
• Keep up with basic maintenance. Checking caulking, weatherstripping, vents and eavestroughs can help prevent small issues from becoming bigger ones.

When you are settling into your new home, Tarion has resources to help you with the warranty process (the MyHome Portal), what to look out for (Home Explorer), and other helpful guidance on how to care for your new home.

We’re also here to help with any questions about your warranty, and you can contact us at any time by emailing customerservice@tarion.com or visiting tarion.com.