BC Developers Face More Warranty Claims Than Ever—Here’s What That Means for Homeowners in 2025
- ENGIPRO
- Aug 1
- 3 min read
In the past 18 months, BC’s construction defect claims have surged—with more strata councils and homeowners filing under the 2-5-10 New Home Warranty than in any previous year.
But here’s the catch: many claims are denied not because they’re invalid—but because they weren’t documented properly or filed in time. This article looks at the rise in warranty enforcement, how this impacts owners and developers, and how a Warranty Review gives you real legal leverage.
Why Are Warranty Disputes Increasing in BC?
According to BC Housing’s Licensing & Consumer Services Division, over 40% of new home complaints in 2024 involved missed deadlines or insufficient documentation.
Reasons include:
Construction volume surge during 2020–2022 → workmanship issues now surfacing
Developers outsourcing to multiple subcontractors
Owners unaware of the 2-year claim deadline
Builders disputing claims without documentation
Real Risk: Missed Deadline = Lost Legal Right
Warranty Coverage | Claim Deadline | Common Disputes |
Workmanship & Materials | 2 years | Flooring, appliances, interior walls |
Envelope (Water Ingress) | 5 years | Leaks, flashing, drainage |
Structural Defects | 10 years | Foundation, load-bearing walls |
Even a valid issue (like a leaky balcony or HVAC failure) can be rejected if you didn’t document it before your deadline.
What Builders Are Doing (and Not Doing)
Developers in 2025 are under pressure to reduce exposure to costly warranty payouts. Some common tactics:
Delaying repairs to push past claim expiry
Disputing defect scope by requesting “independent verification”
Claiming wear-and-tear instead of workmanship
Requiring owners to prove system failure timelines
Unless you have a third-party inspection on file, many claims turn into dead ends.
Why a Warranty Review Changes Everything
A professional Warranty Review—conducted before your coverage expires—can serve as:
Legal documentation of defect existence
Baseline condition for future dispute
Evidence of timely reporting
Expert-validated support for arbitration
Many owners don’t realize: BC Housing tribunals prefer sealed engineering documentation over owner-submitted smartphone photos.
BC Homeowner Case: Claim Reopened with ENGIPRO’s Report
A Surrey condo owner had a window seal failure denied at 23 months. ENGIPRO’s report, dated before the deadline, allowed her to:
Reopen the case with the builder
Avoid $4,800 out-of-pocket replacement
Get full coverage for parts & installation within 6 weeks
Who Should Get a Warranty Review (and When)?
Owner Type | Ideal Timing | Why It Matters |
Condo buyer | 20–23 months | Final 2-year review window |
Strata councils | 18–24 months after occupancy | Bulk issues across units |
Rental property owners | 21–24 months | Lease turnover = opportunity to inspect |
Builders (self-developed) | 18–20 months | Risk mitigation + recordkeeping |
FAQ: Rising Warranty Issues in 2025
Q: Are developers fighting more claims than before?
Yes. As defect volumes rise, so does resistance. Documentation is your best defense.
Q: What if my builder says they’ll “take care of it later”?
Always file in writing before the deadline. Verbal promises don’t hold up.
Q: Can I still hire a reviewer at 23 months?
Yes. We recommend booking 30–60 days before the 2-year mark.
Why ENGIPRO Is Trusted for Warranty Reviews
Reports prepared by P.Eng-certified engineers
Photo-based defect tracking
Sealed documentation usable in arbitration
5–7 day turnaround, ready for submission
Friendly support to explain next steps
More Claims = More Pressure—Be Prepared
BC’s building warranty system is being stress-tested. Owners who are proactive—and backed by professionals—are winning their claims. If your 2- or 5-year coverage is approaching, now’s the time to get expert backup.
Want to protect your rights? We inspect, document, and deliver reports in just 5 business days. Email your strata number or property address to info@engipro.ca today or get an instant estimate with our Online Quote Tool.
Book your Warranty Review now!
External Resources:
BC Housing: Consumer Protection Complaints Statistics - https://www.bchousing.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/Licensing-and-Consumer-Services-Compliance-and-Enforcement-Statistics-Infrographic-2024.pdf
2-5-10 Warranty Explained (BC Housing) - https://www.bchousing.org/publications/Regulatory-Bulletin-03-2-5-10-Year-Home-Warranty-Insurance.pdf
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