Warranty Question

jackrabbit5

We haven't had a huge need for warranties in the past, but every now and then the need arises. I usually just write up something quick and send it out but I'm thinking that I should come up with something a little more professional. I've been browsing through the archives here and found a lot of information. I have taken several different warranties, combined them and added a few tweaks of my own. I'll post it here for you all to critique. Any and all constructive criticisim is welcome.





S B Bolson and Sons warrants that all materials provided by us will be of standard or above quality. Labor is warranted for a period of 2 (two) years. Our liability under a warranty claim shall not exceed the total price charged for the work performed. Customer shall make warranty claims immediately upon discovering defect or performance problem.

Specifically, this warranty covers adhesion of all coatings and/or wallpaper applied to the existing substrate (or previous coating).

Although every effort will be made to remove all loose paint, using prescribed methods of preparation, neither we nor the manufacturer will be held responsible for:

Ø Peeling resulting from the breakdown of any underlying, older paint film or substrate.
Ø Peeling on any horizontal surfaces exposed to standing water such as concrete or wood porches and decks and handrails.
Ø Any structural cracking of the painted or papered surfaces.
Ø Damages caused by abuse or misuse.
Ø Problems arising from moisture infiltration due to leaks or condensation.
Ø Problems with materials not provided or approved by us.

This warranty covers workmanship only and excludes all materials used. Refer to the manufacturer for details about any warranties that may apply to the materials used on your job.

ProWallGuy

Hmm, some of the wording looks suspiciously familiar.

It all looks good to me.

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

jackrabbit5

Imagine that I can plagiarize with the best of them.

ModernStyle

In very small print at the bottom add " Nah, Im just kiddin' once I get in my truck you are on your own."

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daArch

Stacy, (can I call you Stacy on this Forum, I think everyone knows you are a guy by now <BHFG>)

It looks like this warrantee covers all work you do, interior and exterior painting and wallcoverings. Do you think it would be better if you had warrantees specific to each ??

AND, I love PWG's " Contractor will not be liable for failure of coatings or substrate which contractor did not apply" (or something like that).

Otherwise, looks good.

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Wallcovering Installations by Bill Archibald|paperhanger|Eastern Mass|Greater Boston Area|Dover|Wellesley|Franklin|Sharon|MA

jackrabbit5

I had considered that but wanted something more of a "one size fits all". You know, like a "universal primer" It's still a work in progress and the final draft may bear no resembleance to this one. After reading it over I have realized that there are other things that probably should be added covering runs, sags, drips, skips, unformity of finish, bad seams and that sort of thing. The way this thing is written the job could look like Sh*t, as long as it isn't peeling. Maybe I'm making this more complicated than it needs to be, and should just go back to my one liner stating that the job will be free from defects in workmanship for whatever period of time.

Da Vinci

No, cover yourself. If you present a warranty, people WILL refer back to it if there's a problem. The relationship will have cooled, and if you don't have specifics they may argue that you warrantied it. One or two lines won't do it.

But you don't need a 400 page lawyers dissertation either. A one page summary of what you cover, and don't is all that's needed. CLients like these because it says something to your credibility. We have one, but never had to use it because we always take care of the customer.

Sometimes going back, we end up selling more work by fixing minor problems that aren't even our fault.

Bay Area Painting Contractor

daArch

A great reference is the PDCA. I don't know if you are a member, but being NGPP we have some kind of healthy reciprocal relationship.

When we did a job in Boston as subs for a high-end painting concern, I referenced some PDCA language pertaining to acceptance of work and condition. A "per PDCA Standard P6-04" wording can go a long way.

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Wallcovering Installations by Bill Archibald|paperhanger|Eastern Mass|Greater Boston Area|Dover|Wellesley|Franklin|Sharon|MA

chris n

Labor is warranted for a period of 2 (two) years.

Is'nt 1 (one) the norm?

jackrabbit5

I just checked out the PDCA website. It appears that membership dues START at just over 1 dollar a day. I have a pretty small business so I'm guessing that would mean that I would have to pay between $400 and $500 per year How many people here are members and is it worth the price? NGPP dues are cheap by comparison.

jackrabbit5

Yes, one is the norm. I don't have this thing written in stone yet. Several others have a 2 year warranty as a sales tool from what I gather. If you don't have warranty issues I guess it shouldn't really matter if it's one or two, or even five, though I'd be a little nervous about the latter.

ModernStyle

a warranty on an interior doesnt worry me much, on an exterior I usually go 2 years but have been known to go all the way up to 5 years on certain things.
I have been called back for alot of stupid things on exteriors. Like bugs landing on the wet garage door, I actually repainted it the first time she called about it, but after that I told her I can not control where bugs choose to land.
I have been called back because customers ignored my advice to replace rotten wood, it peeled and they wanted me to repaint it, no can do.
I offer no warranty if I do not supply materials, saving a buck by buying Dutch Boy will usually end up costing you hundreds next year.
I had a guy once who wanted me to repaint his deck he had painted with flat latex and was peeling everywhere. He wanted atleast a 10 year warranty, I told him no painter would give him a warranty on that deck and he said he already had a bid from someone who gave him 5 years, then he said a name I had never heard before. I wished him luck and left, he called a week later and asked if I could give him a 2 year warranty, I guess the 5 year guy didnt pan out. I quit answering the guys calls after awhile, he started to bug me and i wanted no part of him.

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daArch

As NGPP members, it is my understanding that we have legal access to their site and documents. I found it exceptionally hard to go in the front door. I found the back door ..... unlocked. back channel me if you want the documents pertaining to a bunch of subjects.

Joe Parker (previous NGPP pres) told me that PDCA and NGPP collaborated on writing many of their standards. Thus, we have legal access.

(Having access to them thru our website is on the loooooong to-do list)

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Wallcovering Installations by Bill Archibald|paperhanger|Eastern Mass|Greater Boston Area|Dover|Wellesley|Franklin|Sharon|MA