Replies

1. 
   jonblakemore | Mar 25, 2003 05:17pm | #1

   Start here:

   http://forums.prospero.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=27458.1

   Jon Blakemore
2. 
   ProBozo | Mar 25, 2003 05:18pm | #2

   I mostly do reno/remodel.  1 year on all work/workmanship.  Mostly it is just going back to take care of very minor items, settling cracks, etc.   

   Most of my custs come from my church, neighborhood, etc, so I pretty well know everyone, and will typically take care of most anything that isn't just about perfect, no matter how long it takes it to show....normal wear, tear, and abuse excluded, of course. 

   My contract (letter of agreement on small jobs) has a 2paragraph section, basically giving 1 year, excludes wear/tear/abuse/act of God/weather/war/riot/alien invasion/etc

3. 
   jako17 | Mar 25, 2003 05:23pm | #3

   Till the tail lights pass over the curb!!!  <g>

1. 
   jimblodgett | Mar 25, 2003 06:43pm | #5

   A few years ago I worked with an electrician on a t+m job.  This was an experienced guy, say 50, solid pro.  So after we look at the job, out comes his standard t+m contract.  I looked through it and was surprised by his stated one year warranty.  I asked him about it and he replied he'd been to one of those seminars we always get mailings for to educate contractors about legal issues and one of the main things he learned was that unless you define your warranty period, you're on the hook for 12 years, at least here in Washington State.

   Now I gotta say, 1 year seems too short for most things I do, I'd be embarassed to write that into a contract. But 12 years?  That seems pretty dicey in many cases, too. 

   To answer your question, on a job with a written agreement (maybe 1 job in 20 for me) I discuss warranty with the customer before writing up the contract.  If we can agree on what is a fair warranty that's what I write it up as.  If we can't agree on what's fair, I don't do the work.

   When a customer or a sub insists on a written agreement, it gets my attention.  It is that rare.

2. 
   CDN_Builder | Mar 26, 2003 02:55am | #6

   I knew someone wouldnt' be able to resist that one.

   Edited 3/25/2003 7:57:03 PM ET by CDN_Builder

4. 
   tenpenny | Mar 25, 2003 06:29pm | #4

   In Atlantic Canada, there is a program called the Atlantic New Home Warranty, that builders can buy into.  Is it effective?  Don't know.  Never been involved.  Some lawyers claim it's pretty useless; if the homeowner  and builder have a good working relationship, any problems will be sorted out easily; if the relationship is bad, they won't be, no matter what.

   Anyway, check out the details at

   http://www.ahwp.org

1. 
   user-218654 | Mar 28, 2003 10:25pm | #14

   We have the same thing in Ontario - Ontario New Home Warranty Plan.  Details what is covered and for how long (for instance, cracks in your foundation are only under warranty for two years, and don't leak until year 3).

   The catch is that this is for new construction only; it does not apply to renovations.  For renovations, industry standard seems to be 1 year materials / labour, with the exception of those components that have a longer warranty as standard (e.g. roofing).

   HTH,

5. 
   rasconc | Mar 26, 2003 03:24am | #7

   I am pretty much like ProBozo, I jokingly tell customers one year or until the check clears whichever comes first,  back when I was in aviation working with high performance aircraft we used to say 1000 hours or wheels in the well which ever occurs first.  If it is something I did I will generally fix it with no recourse,  if it is something I advised the customer against doing or something they just had to use that I thought was wrong then it is a different story.  Sometimes I will bite the bullet to keep folks happy.  Like the tail lights over the curb.

1. 
   CDN_Builder | Mar 26, 2003 03:53am | #8

   What I'm contemplating, is whether its beneficial longterm for me to charge more and offer a better warranty, and if so, how much do i need so that i cover my #### down the road.

   Thanx.

1. 
   calvin | Mar 26, 2003 04:37am | #9

   CDN,

   up it 10% and lengthen the warranty Till The Tail Lights Dim On The Horizon.__________________________________________

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   http://www.quittintime.com/

1. 
   CDN_Builder | Mar 26, 2003 04:44am | #10

   yeah thanks..lol

2. 
   carlsperry | Mar 26, 2003 06:09am | #12

   Try this approach.  First check with your state law makers and see exactly what they require you to provide.  For us it is 4 years on patent defects and 10 years on latent defects.  Most contractors in my area are unaware of this and they offer the industry standard of one year.  Not knowing that they are in violation of the contractors license law by doing so.  Those who do know still most often don't tell the customer that they are entitled to a warranty longer than a year.  You might say, "well a warranty is only as good as the person who gives it" and you would be correct in saying that.  I think that we all have seen the movie Tommy Boy.  "Hey I'll take a $#*t in a box and stamp it guaranteed, I've got spare time."  My advise to that is use that as a tool to differentiate yourself from your competition.  Make it a selling point.  People ask me all the time, "How long is your warranty?" I tell them 4 years and 90% of the time they say, "Wow, 4 years that's pretty good."  Peace of mind is priceless.  You dont neseccarily have to charge more to cover the costs but I would make sure that your people were doing a excellent job installing for you.  Just some ideas to get you thinking!      

6. 
   scampernatra | Mar 26, 2003 05:43am | #11

   18 mo. from date of sale or completion of project in MI. Could be longer if the customer was good to work with, but only for obvious faulty work or products. Not normal wear & tear type stuff. Some problems can arise with subs- example- drywallers finish job on spec house in June 02, house doesn't sell until June 03. Now I have to warrant a house that has sat through four seasons of cold, heat, humidity variances, etc.

   Drywaller doesn't want to come back and do touch up in Aug 04 for a job he finished over two tears ago. Guess who fixes the drywall?  18 mo. has now turned into 30 mo.(June 02 - Dec. 04) Doesn't happen often , but it does happen. 

7. 
   RussellAssoc | Mar 28, 2003 10:20pm | #13

     One year from use.  This is especially important for the HVAC equipment, which may start up 6 or 8 months before completion and be taking a beating with construction dust. But for additional dollars, I'll go longer.  On the practical side I've gone back 3 or 4 years later and fixed small problems.  Good PR.