D.R. Horton Warranty: What’s Covered, How Long, and How to File a Claim
If you’ve bought a new D.R. Horton home, your warranty is one of the most valuable documents you own, and one of the easiest to misunderstand. It isn’t a single blanket promise. It’s a layered “1-2-10” structure, each layer covering different things, with different people responsible and different rules for making a claim.
This guide explains what the DR Horton warranty covers, who stands behind it, how to submit a request, the deadlines that matter, and the exclusions that catch homeowners off guard.
DR Horton Warranty at a Glance
D.R. Horton provides a 10-year limited new home warranty administered by Residential Warranty Company, LLC (RWC). The Limited Warranty book describes it as a written ten-year limited warranty your builder has elected to provide with your home. It is not an insurance policy, a maintenance agreement or a service contract.
| Coverage period | What’s covered | Who is responsible |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Workmanship and materials: warranted items must function as described in the Warranty Standards | D.R. Horton |
| Years 1-2 | Specified portions of heating, cooling, ventilating, electrical and plumbing systems | D.R. Horton |
| Years 1-10 | Major Structural Defects (MSD) affecting load-bearing components | D.R. Horton in years 1-2; the insurer in years 3-10 |
Year 1: Workmanship and Materials
During the first year after the Effective Date of Warranty, your builder warrants that covered items will function and operate as presented in the Warranty Standards. This is where most everyday homeowner claims land.
Some items are specifically limited to Year 1 only. For example, electrical switches, outlets and fixtures, and faulty plumbing faucets, valves, joints and fittings, are covered in the first year but not the second.
Year 2: Major Systems
For two years from the Effective Date of Warranty, specified portions of these systems are covered:
- Electrical: wiring that fails to carry its specified load, when the failure is due to improper installation or materials
- Heating and cooling: ductwork that separates (owner maintenance is required)
- Ventilation
- Plumbing: pipe leaks, and clogged drains or sewers within the structure caused by faulty workmanship or materials
Two details matter here. Condensation on pipes does not count as a leak. And clogs beyond the exterior wall of the home are not covered.
Years 3-10: Major Structural Defects
For ten years, Major Structural Defects are covered. This protection applies to the load-bearing framework and integrity of the home. In years 1 and 2, D.R. Horton is the warrantor. In years 3 through 10, the insurer stands behind the coverage, with claims handled through RWC.
The remedy is deliberately narrow. The warrantor will repair, replace or pay the reasonable cost of repair, limited to what is necessary to restore the defective component to its load-bearing capacity. It is not a promise to fix cosmetic damage that follows a structural problem.
What the Warranty Does Not Cover
Read this section before you need to make a claim. According to the Limited Warranty book:
- Appliances and equipment included in the home are not covered by this warranty. They may be covered by separate manufacturer warranties, which your builder passes on to you at closing. For how those work, see our GE appliance warranty and Rheem warranty guides.
- Maintenance is your responsibility. The warranty is not a maintenance agreement.
- Consequential or incidental damages are not covered.
- Items not named in the Warranty Standards. Only warranted elements specifically designated in the standards are covered.
- Unauthorized repairs. If you pay for repairs to a warranted item without written authorization from the Administrator, those costs are not reimbursable.
- Overlap with other coverage. The warranty applies only in excess of coverage provided by other warranties or insurance.
- Implied warranties. The builder makes no housing merchant implied warranty or other warranty, express or implied, except as stated in the Limited Warranty.
The warrantor’s total aggregate liability is also capped at the Final Sales Price listed on your Application for Enrollment.
Fixing a defect also does not restart the clock. Actions taken to cure a defect do not extend the coverage periods.
Confirm Your Warranty Is Validated
Your validated warranty consists of three documents: your Application for Enrollment, the Limited Warranty book, and your Warranty Confirmation. After closing, you can confirm validation and get your Warranty Confirmation at confirm.rwcwarranty.com. In some cases processing can take up to 60 days before the warranty appears on the portal.
Save your Validation number and Effective Date of Warranty. You’ll need both when filing a claim.
How to Submit a DR Horton Warranty Request
The process differs depending on the age of your home and the type of problem.
Years 1 and 2: Start With D.R. Horton
- Go to the Warranty Request page on drhorton.com, under Customer Care.
- Enter your home’s zip code, then select your complete address from the list.
- Describe the defect in reasonable detail, in writing.
A request to your builder does not count as notice to the Administrator, and it does not extend your coverage periods. If the builder doesn’t act satisfactorily within a reasonable time, send written notice to RWC.
Years 3-10: Go Directly to RWC
For a warranted Major Structural Defect, notify RWC in writing.
Where to send written notice to RWC
- Email: [email protected]
- Certified mail: Residential Warranty Company, LLC, Attn: Warranty Resolution Department, 5300 Derry Street, Harrisburg, PA 17111
- Phone: 717-561-4480
Notices must be in writing and sent by email or certified mail, return receipt requested. A notice is not considered received without a valid confirmation of receipt number. If you don’t get one within 48 hours, call RWC.
What to include in your notice
- Your Validation number and Effective Date of Warranty
- The builder’s name and address
- Your name, address, email and phone number
- A reasonably specific description of the defect
- A copy of any written notice you sent your builder
- Photographs, if requested
- Copies of any inspector or engineer reports
Deadlines You Can’t Afford to Miss
- Notify in writing during the coverage period. For years 1-2, you must show you notified your builder while coverage was active.
- Final cutoff: a written request to RWC must be emailed or postmarked no later than 30 days after the applicable warranty period expires. For years 3-10, requests made more than 30 days after the term ends will not be honored.
- Respond to RWC within 30 days. Failing to respond can result in your warranty file being closed.
- Give access. You must give the warrantor reasonable weekday access during normal business hours.
A practical tip: don’t wait for the end of year one or year two to walk your home. Document problems as they appear, in writing, with photos and dates.
Service Fees
Standard service fees apply. They are $250 for claims in years 1-2 and $500 for years 3-10, though fees may vary or be waived under state-specific addenda. Confirm the exact fee for your home when you file.
What Happens After You File
Within 30 days of receiving proper notice, the Administrator may review and mediate the request. You’re required to cooperate with mediation, inspection and investigation. Where the item is covered, the warrantor chooses whether to repair, replace or pay the reasonable cost of repair or replacement.
If a dispute can’t be resolved, the process moves to mediation and then binding arbitration under the Federal Arbitration Act. Read the arbitration terms in your warranty book before closing, since they affect your options if a claim is denied.
State Addenda
The Limited Warranty book includes addenda for specific locations: Newark, Delaware; the State of New York; the State of Indiana; and Maryland. If you live in one of these, review the addendum, because it can change terms such as fees and procedures.
Is the DR Horton Warranty Transferable?
Yes. The Limited Warranty transfers automatically to subsequent owners during the ten-year term. The exception is foreclosure: the warranty becomes void as of the date an owner vacates the home due to foreclosure proceedings.
Tips for Getting the Most From Your Warranty
- Confirm validation at confirm.rwcwarranty.com soon after closing.
- Keep a copy of the Limited Warranty book and your Warranty Confirmation.
- Follow the maintenance schedule. D.R. Horton publishes a recommended maintenance schedule on its Documents and Guides page. Neglect is a common reason claims fail.
- Report issues in writing, and keep copies and receipts for every notice.
- Get authorization before paying for repairs to anything you think is warranted.
- Calendar your deadlines for the end of year one, year two and year ten, with reminders well ahead of each.
DR Horton Warranty FAQ
How long is the DR Horton warranty?
It’s a 1-2-10 limited warranty: one year for workmanship and materials, two years for specified systems, and ten years for Major Structural Defects.
Who administers the DR Horton warranty?
Residential Warranty Company, LLC (RWC), based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Does the DR Horton warranty cover HVAC?
Specified portions of heating, cooling and ventilation systems are covered for two years, such as separated ductwork. Owner maintenance is required, and appliances and equipment are not covered under this warranty.
Does the warranty cover appliances?
No. Appliances and equipment may be covered by separate manufacturer warranties passed on at closing.
How do I file a DR Horton warranty claim?
Use the Warranty Request page on drhorton.com for years 1-2. For structural claims in years 3-10, or if your builder doesn’t respond, give written notice to RWC at [email protected] or by certified mail.
What is the deadline to file?
Notice must be emailed or postmarked within 30 days after the applicable warranty period expires, and for years 1-2 it must show you notified your builder during the coverage period.
How much is the service fee?
Standard fees are $250 for years 1-2 and $500 for years 3-10, subject to state-specific variations.
Can I sell my home and keep the warranty in place?
The warranty transfers automatically to later owners for the remainder of the ten-year term.
Bottom Line
The DR Horton warranty is strong where it’s specific: one year for workmanship, two for core systems, ten for structural integrity. Its value depends on how you use it. Confirm your validation, document problems in writing, and watch the 30-day deadlines. For the rest of your home, including appliances and equipment, rely on the manufacturer warranties you received at closing. Weighing extra protection once builder coverage thins out? Our Sears home warranty and home warranty cost guides show what third-party plans cover and cost.
This guide summarizes publicly available warranty terms for general information. Your Limited Warranty book, Warranty Confirmation and any state addendum control.
Related Warranty Guides
Check the Latest Official Manufacturer Warranty Before You File
Warranty coverage periods, required proof-of-purchase documents, eligible defect categories, and claim handling times vary by region, model, and authorized seller. Always check the official manufacturer’s latest support portal before filing a claim to confirm your product's eligibility.