Alberta's 1-2-5-10 New-Home Warranty: What Is Covered and When to Act
The short answer
Alberta's new-home warranty structure covers one year comprehensive, two years for delivery and distribution systems like plumbing and electrical, five years for the building envelope against water penetration, and ten years for major structural components. Each window has its own coverage scope and its own deadline to act.
Key takeaways
- Year one: comprehensive coverage for materials, labour, and general defects in workmanship.
- Year two: coverage narrows to delivery and distribution systems — electrical, plumbing, heating.
- Year five: coverage narrows further to the building envelope, protecting against water penetration.
- Year ten: coverage narrows to major structural components only.
- Missing a window's deadline generally means losing coverage for issues that fall under that specific period.
Year one: comprehensive coverage
The first year of Alberta's new-home warranty is the broadest, covering materials, labour, and defects in work and general items throughout the home. This is the window your 11-month inspection is timed around, since it's your last real checkpoint before this comprehensive coverage narrows. Our first-year maintenance calendar walks through what to watch for season by season along the way.
Year two: delivery and distribution systems
In year two, coverage narrows to delivery and distribution systems — electrical, plumbing, and heating systems that move water, air, or power through the home. General cosmetic and workmanship items that were covered in year one generally fall outside coverage by this point.
Year five: building envelope
Coverage through year five narrows further to the building envelope — protection against water penetration through the exterior walls, roof, and foundation. This is a longer-tail concern, since water intrusion issues can take time to become apparent.
Confirm your specific warranty provider and policy details. Coverage specifics can vary by provider and policy. The Alberta New Home Warranty Program's construction performance guide is a useful first-party reference for what's generally expected.
Year ten: major structural components
The longest window, ten years, covers major structural components — the elements that affect the home's basic structural integrity. By this stage, coverage is narrow but addresses the most significant possible category of defect.
Acting before each window closes
Each of these windows has its own effective deadline — missing it generally means losing coverage for issues that would have fallen under that period. Keep track of your possession date and these milestones, and don't wait until you're near a deadline to raise a concern you've been meaning to look into. See our guide on who to contact when something comes up.
Ready to look at actual homes?
Not sure which warranty window a concern of yours falls under? Get in touch — we'll help you figure out where it fits and what to do next.
Ryan McCann
Ryan is an Edmonton-based new-construction specialist with MaxWell Polaris and the person behind MoveNew. He's helped over 2,200 clients in the Edmonton area buy and sell their home.
Contact Ryan today at 780-964-8445 to start your new home journey.
Last reviewed 11 August 2026. General information for Edmonton-area buyers — not legal advice. Contract terms, builder practices, and Alberta regulations can change or vary; confirm current details with a real-estate lawyer or the relevant builder before making a decision.
Frequently asked questions
Who provides new-home warranty coverage in Alberta?
Several licensed warranty providers operate in Alberta; your specific provider is set out in your purchase documents. Confirm yours and keep the policy details on hand.
What happens if I miss the year-one deadline for a comprehensive item?
You generally lose access to that broader first-year coverage for the item in question, which is why an 11-month inspection is worth doing.
Does the warranty transfer if I sell my home?
In many cases remaining coverage can transfer to a new owner, but confirm the specifics with your warranty provider directly.
Is warranty coverage the same across all builders?
The general 1-2-5-10 framework is set by the province's new-home warranty requirements, though specific provider and policy details can vary.
What if I have a home to sell?
That is common, and it is worth planning early. The timing question is how a builder's possession date lines up with the sale of your current home — completion dates can move, and carrying two homes or bridging the gap has a real cost. Start with a free home evaluation so you know what your current home is worth, then read our guide to selling before buying new construction.
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