PROTECTING YOUR INVESTMENT
SnapADU Warranty Information
Adding an accessory dwelling unit is one of the largest investments you will ever make. It is important to ensure your new ADU home comes with protection.
SnapADU partners with 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty, the nation’s leading provider of structural warranties, to provide you with the industry’s most comprehensive protection available. Your warranty includes protection against workmanship and distribution systems defects, as well as structural defects throughout the warranty term specified on your Certificate of Warranty Coverage.
With the completion of your new ADU, you’ll receive a copy of the structural home warranty contract that explains what is covered as well as a maintenance booklet with tips on how to care for your home. In addition, the warranty is fully-transferable, which increases the resale value of your ADU.
Warranty Coverage
1-YEAR WORKMANSHIP WARRANTY
- SnapADU will provide a Workmanship Warranty for the fit, finish and materials in your ADU. Unless expressly noted otherwise, this warranty covers a period of one (1) year, commencing upon issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy or upon submission of final invoice in cases where Occupancy is not contractually required.
- Workmanship Warranty will cover all workmanship and materials directly managed or procured by SnapADU, provided defects are not the result of normal wear & tear or neglect by the homeowner.
2-YEAR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS WARRANTY
- SnapADU will provide a Distribution Systems Warranty for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical (HVAC) systems. Unless expressly noted otherwise, this warranty covers a period of two (2) years, commencing upon issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy or upon submission of final invoice in cases where Occupancy is not contractually required.
- Distribution Systems Warranty will cover all systems directly managed or procured by SnapADU, provided defects are not the result of normal wear & tear or neglect by the homeowner. This includes the wiring, piping, and ductwork of your new ADU.
10-YEAR STRUCTURAL WARRANTY
- SnapADU will provide a Structural Warranty against major structural defects (unless expressly noted otherwise) for a period of ten (10) years, commencing upon issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy or upon submission of final invoice in cases where Occupancy is not contractually required. The Structural Warranty will cover work directly managed or procured by SnapADU, provided defects are not the result of normal wear & tear or neglect.
- For the purposes of this Structural Warranty, “major structural defects” means the failure of structural, load bearing components to a degree which renders the ADU unsafe for habitation. Structural load bearing components include foundations, footings, load bearing walls/framing and roof trusses.
MANUFACTURER’S MATERIAL WARRANTY
- Fixtures and appliances are covered by the manufacturer’s warranties, which are linked in the individual Selections for each item in your Buildertrend portal – please let us know if you need help locating these. For any issues related to fixtures or appliances, please direct claims to the manufacturer.
Understanding How the 2-10 Warranty Works
Our partnership with 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty is designed to give homeowners both structure and security. The intent behind our warranty setup is to ensure fairness and consistency for all parties. It uses national standards homeowners can reference directly for what’s considered normal wear versus a warrantable defect, and lasting protection long after construction is complete.
Here’s how it functions in practice:
For the first two years, SnapADU is your direct warranty provider. We handle all workmanship (1 year) and systems (2 years) issues ourselves. During this time, 2-10 serves as the administrator—they define the national performance standards we follow, and they are also the backup guarantor if a builder ever goes out of business. In other words, 2-10 would step in and pay eligible claims if a builder were no longer solvent.
After year two, 2-10 assumes full responsibility for the 10-year structural coverage, protecting against major load-bearing failures such as foundations or framing.
Read more about ADU Warranties and Guarantees in the industry.
Submitting Warranty Requests
To submit a warranty service request, follow these steps:
- Log into your Buildertrend portal.
- Select “Project Management,” then select “Warranties.”
- Click on “Add a Warranty Claim.”
- Fill out the form with as much detail as possible. You can also attach photos if applicable.
We will review & respond to your warranty request within 24-48 business hours.
Emergency Warranty Requests: If you experience an emergency warranty-related situation, such as no hot water, total loss of electricity or complete lack of heating or cooling, please use our Emergency Contact Number: 760-259-2228
Non-Emergency Warranty Requests: To enhance efficiency and manage resources effectively, please note that we will handle non-emergency and non-safety related warranty claims on a quarterly basis. We appreciate your patience and understanding, as this approach allows us to provide thorough and attentive service to all our clients.
Frequent Warranty Questions & Known Issues
Understanding What’s Normal — And What’s Not
We want to set you up for success in your new ADU by proactively addressing some of the most common post-move-in concerns. Many of these are normal aspects of living in a newly constructed ADU and do not require service. Below, we explain what to expect and how to resolve these issues. If something does not resolve after following the steps below—or appears to meet warranty thresholds—you are always welcome to submit a warranty request via Buildertrend.
⚡ Breaker Keeps Tripping (GFCI / AFCI Circuits)
What’s happening:
GFCI and AFCI breakers are designed to trip at the slightest electrical irregularity. New ADUs are built to modern safety codes, which are stricter than in older homes. This is a known issue across the building industry and not necessarily a sign of faulty installation. Recent changes to electrical codes now require GFCI protection on more circuits—including for large appliances and HVAC systems. However, many of these appliances weren’t originally designed to work with GFCI breakers. They can produce harmless electrical “noise” that the breaker misinterprets as a fault, causing it to trip—even when everything is functioning properly.
What you can do:
- Locate and reset the tripped breaker or outlet (GFCIs often have a reset button; AFCIs are in your panel).
- Unplug and test devices one at a time to identify the culprit.
- If a particular outlet or breaker trips repeatedly with nothing plugged in, or during normal operation of an HVAC unit or appliance, submit a warranty request.
Good to know:
This is one of the most frequent questions we receive. Unless there is a persistent issue with the outlet itself, it is considered a safety feature—not a defect. That said, if a specific outlet or breaker continues to trip, this may indicate an electrical issue covered under your two-year mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) warranty. In such cases, SnapADU’s electricians can assess and address the problem as needed. Please submit a warranty request with details.
💧 Water Heater Smells Like Rotten Eggs
What’s happening:
A sulfur or “rotten egg” smell often comes from the anode rod inside your water heater reacting with natural bacteria in the water—especially in new tanks or if the water has not been used regularly.
What you can do:
- Flush the water heater (follow manufacturer instructions, typically found online).
- Run hot water in each fixture for several minutes.
- If the smell continues, contact the water heater manufacturer directly.
Good to know:
This is a common issue that usually resolves with use. It is unpleasant but harmless—and not a warranty item unless it results from a manufacturer defect.
🧱 Hairline Cracks in Stucco or Drywall
What’s happening:
It is completely normal for small cracks to develop as the structure settles and materials expand or contract with weather. You may notice these at corners, seams, or material junctions.
What you can do:
- Keep an eye on cracks over time. Most are cosmetic and expected.
- SnapADU will review any cracks that exceed 1/8″ in width or show separation or displacement.
- To maximize efficiency, please submit only one claim for drywall and stucco cracking during your one-year warranty period.
Good to know:
Your ADU will go through a natural period of settling, and cosmetic cracks are part of that process. We will perform repairs once within the first year of ownership if the cracking meets warranty thresholds—but we do not perform ongoing or repeated cosmetic touch-ups. We recommend waiting until near the end of your one-year warranty term before submitting your claim to allow the ADU to fully acclimate.
🚪 Squeaky or Sticking Doors & Windows
What’s happening:
Seasonal changes in humidity and temperature can cause wood and framing materials to expand or contract, which may temporarily affect how doors and windows open, close, or align. This is especially common during the first year as your ADU settles.
What you can do:
- For squeaks: Apply a small amount of silicone spray or dry lubricant to hinges or tracks.
- For sticking: Check that the area around the door or window is clean and free of debris. Gently sand or adjust weatherstripping if needed.
- If the issue persists or significantly affects function, you may submit a warranty claim.
Good to know:
Minor sticking and squeaking are considered normal and often resolve on their own with seasonal changes. If adjustments are needed, SnapADU will address door and window alignment issues once during the one-year workmanship warranty period—so we recommend waiting until closer to the end of that year unless it is a more severe issue.