Homeowner Protection

Your home is your most significant investment. Florida law gives you more protection than most homeowners ever realize — but only if you know your rights and act within the window.

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Your Rights as a Florida Homeowner

Most homeowners believe their warranty protection ends when the builder's one-year warranty expires. That is not true. Florida law provides multiple layers of protection — and the most powerful one is the one most people never hear about.

  • You have up to 7 years of legal protection against latent construction defects under Florida §95.11.
  • Your builder's one-year warranty is not your only protection — it is just the first layer.
  • Proper documentation of defects before the statute window closes is essential to preserving your rights.
  • Florida §558 establishes a mandatory pre-suit notice process for construction defect claims.
  • An annual inspection creates a time-stamped record that protects you and holds builders accountable.

Your Warranty Protection Timeline

Florida law layers multiple levels of protection over the first seven years after your home is built. Each layer requires different action on your part.

Year 1
Builder's Limited Warranty
Workmanship, materials, and installed systems. Most visible defects must be reported within this window.
Year 2
Systems Warranty
Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. Defects in major systems that were not apparent at closing.
Years 3–7
Latent Defect Protection
Structural and hidden defects under Florida §95.11 Statute of Repose. This is the window most homeowners never know exists.

Important: The 7-year window begins at the date of substantial completion — not the date you purchased the home. If you bought a resale home within 7 years of its construction, you may still have rights under §95.11.

Inspection Services Available to You

Warranty Shield offers a comprehensive range of InterNACHI-certified inspection services. Any homeowner, homebuyer, or seller may schedule any inspection type below.

Home & Warranty Inspections

  • 11-Month Warranty Inspection
  • Annual Asset Protect Inspection
  • Pre-Purchase Home Inspection
  • Pre-Listing Inspection
  • New Construction Phase Inspection
  • 4-Point Inspection

Mold & Indoor Air Quality

  • Mold Inspection
  • Mold Assessment
  • Indoor Air Quality Testing
  • Water Damage Assessment
  • Post-Remediation Clearance

Insurance & Specialty

  • Wind Mitigation Inspection
  • Roof Certification Inspection
  • Pool & Spa Inspection
  • Fireplace & Chimney Inspection
  • Manufactured / Mobile Home Inspection
  • Commercial Property Inspection
Schedule an Inspection

The Annual Asset Protect Inspection

The single most important inspection a homeowner can schedule is not the one at closing — it is the one every year after. The Annual Asset Protect Inspection creates a time-stamped, documented baseline of your home's condition that protects your warranty rights, your insurance coverage, and your investment.

Each inspection is conducted by a CMI®-certified inspector and documented through HIRAM AI — creating an immutable record that can be referenced in the event of a warranty dispute, insurance claim, or resale.

Schedule Your Annual Inspection
Conducted annually — same time each year
Full written report with photos and documentation
Preserves your warranty rights under §95.11
Identifies latent defects before the statute window closes
Establishes a year-over-year condition baseline
Increases resale value and buyer confidence

Learn More in Our Education Center

Our Education Center covers Florida warranty law, homeowner maintenance responsibilities, how to document a defect, and what to do if your builder disputes a claim. Knowledge is your first line of defense.