We stand behind
our work.
Finishing your project should be the start of your enjoyment of the space, not the end of our responsibility. Our workmanship is backed by our written one-year warranty, the applicable manufacturer warranties, and the protections California law provides.
California sets detailed residential construction performance standards through the legislation known as SB 800. Those standards do not apply to every remodeling project, but we use them as a reference for judging the quality and performance of our work.
CSLB #1071136 · Licensed & Insured · hello@kdbinc.org · (714) 202-7684
Not every part of a home has the same period.
California's standards recognize different claim periods depending on the component and the condition. These are the outer periods for each category. Many specific items are shorter, and the ten-year mark is a maximum, not a warranty on everything. The detail is below.
- 1Year
- 2Years
- 4Years
- 5Years
- 10Years
What's covered, and for how long.
These are grouped by the claim period California sets for each kind of component. Your construction contract and product warranties may run longer on some of them.
Fit and finish
For new residential construction covered by SB 800, visible finish items carry a minimum one-year fit-and-finish warranty. We hold the finish work on every project to that same one-year standard.
- Cabinets
- Countertops
- Flooring
- Mirrors
- Interior and exterior wall finishes
- Paint finishes
- Trim and finish carpentry
Normal wear, abuse, material movement, homeowner alterations, and missed maintenance are not construction defects.
Certain exterior and operating items
- Irrigation and drainage operation
- Sound transmission between attached units, where that applies
- Manufactured products with no longer manufacturer warranty, at least one year
Manufacturer warranties often run longer than one year.
Certain site and exterior components
- Untreated wood posts installed in contact with soil
- Builder-installed landscaping
- Dryer duct installation and termination
Plumbing, electrical, and hardscape performance
- Plumbing and sewer systems should operate properly and not materially interfere with normal use of the home
- Electrical systems should operate properly and not materially interfere with normal use of the home
- Driveways, walkways, sidewalks, and patios installed by the original builder should not develop excessive cracking or significant displacement
- Untreated steel fencing and adjacent components should be installed to avoid unreasonable corrosion
Paint and stain application
Paint and stain must be applied so that the application itself does not cause premature deterioration of the surface underneath. Manufacturer specifications and maintenance still apply. California sets a five-year maximum claim period for this standard under SB 800.
The ten-year period is not a ten-year warranty on everything.
SB 800 contains an outside limit that generally prevents a claim under the statute from being brought more than ten years after substantial completion, unless a shorter period specifically applies. That does not put a ten-year warranty on every item in a home.
Many components have defined periods of one, two, four, or five years. Manufactured products carry their own manufacturer warranty periods. The period that applies depends on the component, the nature of the condition, your construction contract, the manufacturer warranties, and California law.
Keeping water out is the job.
Water management is one of the most important parts of residential construction. California's standards address it across many building systems. The principle is simple: components meant to keep water out should be designed and installed so unintended water does not get into the building or damage what is next to it.
- Windows and exterior doors
- Roofs and roofing systems
- Decks, balconies, and exterior stairs
- Stucco, siding, exterior walls, and flashing
- Foundations and slabs
- Retaining and site walls
- Plumbing and sewer lines
- Showers and tub enclosures
- Ceramic tile and tile countertops
- Drainage, landscaping, irrigation, and hardscape where they can affect the structure
The parts that hold the house up.
Foundations, slabs, and load-bearing components should not develop significant cracking or displacement that creates a structural problem, and the structure should meet the applicable requirements for structural safety, including earthquake and wind resistance. These claims can fall within the longer statutory periods, depending on the circumstances.
Installed by us, warranted by the maker.
Many products in your project are made by other companies and come with their own warranties. We warrant that products within our scope are installed to the manufacturer's requirements. The product itself is normally covered by the manufacturer's warranty, which has its own periods, exclusions, registration, and maintenance requirements. Keep your product and warranty documents.
- Windows and doors
- Plumbing fixtures
- Appliances
- HVAC equipment
- Water heaters
- Electrical fixtures
- Cabinets
- Countertop products
- Roofing products
- Specialty hardware and equipment
What a warranty isn't for.
A construction warranty addresses defective workmanship and covered construction deficiencies. It does not replace normal home maintenance or normal aging. Depending on the circumstances, coverage generally does not include conditions caused by:
- Normal wear and tear, and the natural aging of materials
- Lack of maintenance, or improper maintenance
- Misuse, abuse, or neglect
- Damage caused by pets, occupants, or third parties
- Work performed or modified by another contractor
- Homeowner alterations after completion
- Damage caused by appliances or products outside our scope of work
- Failure to follow manufacturer maintenance instructions
- Normal expansion, contraction, and minor cosmetic movement that is not defective construction
- Extraordinary weather, earthquake, flood, fire, or vandalism beyond the design criteria
- Damage that got worse because reasonable steps were not taken after the problem was found
A home needs upkeep.
California construction law recognizes the homeowner's responsibility to follow reasonable maintenance recommendations from builders and manufacturers, and commonly accepted maintenance practices. Skipping required maintenance can contribute to damage and can affect warranty coverage. Typical items:
- Maintaining exterior caulking and sealants
- Keeping roof and site drainage clear
- Keeping irrigation directed away from the structure
- Maintaining grout and sealants
- Repainting and resealing exterior surfaces as needed
- Replacing HVAC filters
- Maintaining plumbing fixtures
- Following appliance and equipment maintenance schedules
- Preventing standing water around foundations and exterior walls
Tell us early.
If you believe something we built is not performing the way it should, a few steps make it much easier to sort out quickly.
- 01
Contact us promptly
Describe the issue and where it is happening. Photos help when you can take them.
- 02
Hold off on alterations until we have looked
We need a fair opportunity to see the condition and work out what caused it.
- 03
Protect the property from further damage
If there is an active leak or another condition that could get worse, take reasonable emergency steps and tell us right away.
- 04
Allow reasonable access for inspection and repair
Most warranty concerns are resolved quickly when they are reported early and we can get in to look.
We want the chance to
make it right.
Construction puts thousands of components together by hand, in real conditions. Once in a while something needs adjustment after a project is done. If it is our work and it is covered by our warranty or applicable law, we want to inspect it and fix it. Good communication and early notice are usually the fastest path.
Email hello@kdbinc.orgFor an active leak or anything affecting safety, call (714) 202-7684 right away.
Things people ask.
Our own commitments, including the one-year workmanship warranty, are on How We Work.
This page is a general, plain-language overview of Keely Design Build’s warranty approach and certain California residential construction standards. It is not a complete statement of California law and is not legal advice. California Senate Bill 800, codified principally at Civil Code Sections 895 through 945.5, applies to certain original residential construction and does not necessarily apply to every remodel, addition, ADU, or home-improvement project, and it does not replace any notice or claim procedure that applies under the statute. Warranty rights and obligations may also arise from your construction contract, applicable statutes, and manufacturer warranties. If this general information conflicts with your executed contract or applicable law, the executed contract and applicable law control. Last updated September 2026.