How do YOU handle warranties

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brantmacga

brantmacga

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I was having a conversation with my brother, a realtor, a year or so back about warranties on new construction. My policy is 1/yr from the date of the final; he says that won't fly w/ most GC's because the property could sit vacant for a year (i've had no problems so far). I explained that everything has to be in working order @ the final.

Today, he calls me to come troubleshoot an AFCI that won't hold on a new listing (foreclosure). The house is almost 2/yrs old, and has been a rental house during this time. He was doing a walk through w/ the tenant, who had to move out today, and found a bedroom w/ no lights or receps working. The tenant said the breaker has never held, but she never reported it to the owner because she didn't use that bedroom.

The house is now out of warranty so no waranty service is being granted. My advice was to try and work something out w/ the GC to get the EC out there. I explained my services for this could cost several hundred bucks.

If you were the EC who did the construction, would you warranty this job?

-- : i was told the breaker will hold for a few seconds or few minutes before tripping, which may explain why the final passed : --
 
I guess at the end of a year if the house doesnt sell, you could do an inspection and offer an extended warrenty for a price is you wanted to keep a customer happy...
 
If it's out of warranty, then it's out of warranty! I don't know how long you've been working with this GC, but if it's been for a while, then the GC should be more understanding---realizing that you are operating a business, not a charity!


But, this is a decision you will have to make as a business owner!!!
 
resistance said:
If it's out of warranty, then it's out of warranty! I don't know how long you've been working with this GC, but if it's been for a while, then the GC should be more understanding---realizing that you are operating a business, not a charity!


But, this is a decision you will have to make as a business owner!!!
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it wasn't my job. I was called to come troubleshoot it, but didn't perform the original installation.

The main question is this: the house was a rental, the tenant never reported a problem that was said to be there from the time she moved in 2/yrs ago. The room was never occupied by the tenant.

Knowing this, would you perform a warranty service. It sounds to me like a problem with the original installation.
 
brantmacga said:
it wasn't my job. I was called to come troubleshoot it, but didn't perform the original installation.

The main question is this: the house was a rental, the tenant never reported a problem that was said to be there from the time she moved in 2/yrs ago. The room was never occupied by the tenant.

Knowing this, would you perform a warranty service. It sounds to me like a problem with the original installation.
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I dont trust anything a renter says about what they do or how long somthing has been a problem, and it doesnt matter anyway, because a one year warrenty runs out after one year has passed, so no I wouldnt perform a warrenty service in this case.
 
ultramegabob said:
I dont trust anything a renter says about what they do or how long somthing has been a problem, and it doesnt matter anyway, because a one year warrenty runs out after one year has passed, so no I wouldnt perform a warrenty service in this case.
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I'd like to pose another question:

Lets say you go troubleshoot it at your normal service rate, and find that it was an error on your part during the original installation. would you cover it?
 
I only warrantee for 1 yr new work. 90 days service work. That is the law by me. It is not a matter of company policy it is dept of consumer affairs law is where these numbers come from. Anything more is billable unless it is an outstanding customer.
 
brantmacga said:
I'd like to pose another question:

Lets say you go troubleshoot it at your normal service rate, and find that it was an error on your part during the original installation. would you cover it?
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Im kinda torn on that scenerio, I guess it would depend on how I felt that day:rolleyes:
 
First I want to agree with ultramegabob. I have certainly gone to calls that the HO swears a particular light/recept/ whatever was working before I get there only to find a problem that could not have possibly been related to my work. Just based on a tenant's word I would most likely not honor a warranty. If I swear to the dealership that the widget in my truck started to give me problems at 55,000 miles but just now had the opportunity to bring it in now I think we know how that conversation would go.

To respond to your second question, I guess I really don't know. It really depends on what level my error was on. If it is obvious that I did something that directly caused a fault that would prevent the circuit from operating as intended I would probably do the right thing. If there was a 1/16th extra stripped from the conductor on the device and the tenant moved a weight room into what was supposed to be a bedroom and it seems like the repeated slamming caused some shifting I might be inclined to deny it.

Interesting q though. I have never been in a similiar situation to compare it to so it is just theory for me.
 
I would fix it with the understanding that if it was not MY issue, I would get paid. Something like that is usually repaired within an hour.

My internet diagnosis is that the drywallers covered an outlet and the circuit isn't complete.
 
About a year ago I was called to troubleshoot a bedroom circuit that had no power in half the room. I tracked it down to a neutral screw on the burnt up receptacle that had never been tightened down during the finish. So I replaced the receptacle and all was wonderful.

The customer asked me how much. I said no charge since I was the one who as an apprentice in 1989 installed that receptacle and forgot to tighten the screw. I felt it was worth the warranty since it was such a minimal repair and probably looked like a good customer relations move. I have since been there for other more profitable tasks.

Just a side note: The owner is a retired lawyer which got me thinking what if the loose screw caused a fire with property damage and/or loss of life. Could I be liable if all the facts were known about the installation that was done 19 years ago with me being an apprentice at the time?
 
jzadroga said:
Just a side note: The owner is a retired lawyer which got me thinking what if the loose screw caused a fire with property damage and/or loss of life. Could I be liable if all the facts were known about the installation that was done 19 years ago with me being an apprentice at the time?
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Yes, I believe you would be found liable. If not legally, than by a jury of your peers.
Proving something like that would be tremendously difficult tho.

As for the OP, was there anything plugged into that circuit? I know it's not your job, and I'm not an EC, but I do like to dummy check everything before I dig into something else.
 
I honor my work and I'd go back in 5 years and if it was defective workmanship, I'd fix it. Parts are another thing, you can't gurantee parts outside the manufacture warranty unless they give you extra bucks.
 
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