Warranty
Maintenance Warranty
The maintenance or defect liability period covers the finishes, fittings, and workmanship in your new home after handover. It's the period during which the builder must return to fix defects, cracks, and issues that arise — and understanding the terms is essential for a smooth handover and first year of ownership.
153
Builders Include Standard
0
Offer as Upgrade
0
Do Not Include
What is it?
The maintenance warranty (also called the defect liability period) is the period after handover during which the builder is obligated to repair defects in finishes, fittings, and workmanship. The standard period is 12 months in most states, but some builders offer extended periods of 24 months or more. It's separate from the structural warranty, which covers major structural defects for longer.
Why buyers compare it
- The defect liability period is when most post-handover issues are resolved
- Standard is 12 months; some builders offer 24 months as a differentiator
- The maintenance period covers finishes, fitting, and workmanship — not structural
- A responsive builder during the maintenance period saves stress and money
Is it worth upgrading?
Questions to Ask Your Builder
Maintenance Warranty — Typical Costs
Included
Statutory defect liability — builder fixes defects for 12 months post-handover
$500 – $1,500
Extended defect liability — longer coverage for finishes and workmanship
$1,500 – $3,000+
Extended period plus priority response and regular maintenance inspections
Compare My Build Tip
Before the end of your defect liability period (usually at 11 months), arrange a professional building inspector to do a thorough defect assessment. Many issues — like cracking render, sticking doors, or leaking taps — only become apparent after the home settles, and you want them documented and submitted before the warranty period expires.
Which Builders Include Maintenance Warranty?
SJD Homes
Southern Vale Homes
Fairhaven Homes
Aston Homes
Beachwood Homes
SOHO Living 
Simonds Homes
Hudson Homes
Evoca Homes
Hallmark Homes
DR Homes 
Bold Living
Carlisle Homes
McDonald Jones Homes
JG King Homes
Clarendon Homes QLD
Arden Homes
Henley Homes
Value Homes
Kingsbridge Homes
Integrity New Homes 
Metricon Homes
Cougar Homes
Coral Homes
Brighton Homes
Ownit Homes
Indigo Homes
Gemini Homes
AUSMAR Homes
DARE Homes
CJ Homes
Stroud Homes
Dixon Homes
McCarthy Homes
Rawson Homes
OJ Pippin Homes
Vantage Building Group
Omni Built Homes
Fresh Homes
Homes by CMA
Plantation Homes
Stylemaster Homes
Mimosa Homes
Hotondo Homes
Austart Homes
Omnia Homes
Wide Bay Homes
Orbit Homes
Boutique Homes
Burbank Homes
Emerald Developments
Steve Bagnall Homes
Tapscott Homes
Nostra Homes
G.J. Gardner Homes – Gold Coast South
P.J Burns Builder
Homebuyers Centre - VIC
CCS Homes
Ausbuild Homes
Kiba Built
ABC Homes
Leonard Homes
G.J Gardner Homes – Melbourne North West
Eden Brae Homes
Bellriver Homes
New Living Homes
Masterton Homes
Domaine Homes
MOJO Homes
Champion Homes
Montgomery Homes
Hibbarb Homes
Wisdom Homes
Candor Homes
Lily Homes
Fowler Homes
Tempo Living
Kurmond Homes
Perry Homes
Winton Homes
Trend Connection Homes
Casaview Homes
Vogue Homes
Baygrove Designer Homes
Kaplan Homes
Crystele Homes
Practical Homes
Eagle Homes
Dream Scope Homes
Arcadia Homes
Homes By DJ Jones
Ellis Developments
MasterBuilt Homes
Bundy Homes
Arden Vale Homes
G&P Builders
McLachlan Homes
Weeks Homes
Metro Homes 
Kookaburra Homes
Coast Life Homes
CSB Homes
Everyday Homes
Infinite Homes
King Homes
Malpress Homes
Stonewood Homes
Bennic Homes
Movinda Homes
Verona Homes
Clarendon Homes NSW
Arli Homes
Metronest Homes
Oxame Homes
Melbourne Homes
5AB Homes VIC
5AB Homes SA
Hudson Ridge Builders
Langdon Building
Lane Housing Co
Arkadian Homes
Oasis Building Group
McMaster Designer Homes
Highmark Homes
Hearty Homes
Sessions Builders
Colmac Homes
Legend Homes
Key Homes
Allworth Homes
Garraway Homes
Hosies Homes
Redink Homes
Ultra Living Homes
Neptune Homes
Costa Homes
Better Built Homes
Vision Homes
Tullipan Homes
Oakworth Homes
Green Homes
Bluetongue Homes
Meridian Homes
Homes By ZAC
Provincial Homes
Avia Homes
Kline Homes
Ridgewater Homes
Central Property
Paul Gray Builders
Twomey Homes
Oakridge Living
Hunter Homes
MyStyle Homes
Aspect Homes
Xircon HomesRelated Guides
What Are Inclusions vs Upgrades?
Understand the difference between standard inclusions and paid upgrades in a new home build.
Hidden Costs Builders Don't Mention
Discover the costs that builders commonly exclude from their advertised 'from' prices.
Upgrade Costs Guide
Full breakdown of common upgrade costs across all categories in Australian home builds.
What to Compare Before Signing
The essential checklist of what to compare between builders before you sign a contract.
Compare Maintenance Warranty Across All Builders
Use our free comparison tool to see all inclusions side-by-side and find the best builder for your needs.
Compare All Builders