As you think about remodeling any space in your home, one of the most important questions to consider when interviewing a contractor is, “What is their warranty?” Warranties are so important, and typically, from company to company, so different. In this article, you will learn what a warranty is, the different types of warranties, and how our limited lifetime craftsmanship warranty at JSB will protect your investment into your home.
Many companies and contractors have warranties for their products, but almost all of them use different language to define their specific warranty. When it comes to understanding a warranty, clarification is the key.
There are typically two kinds of remodeling warranties. A Manufacturer’s warranty, and a craftsmanship warranty. Let’s define each of these terms.
Manufacturer’s Warranty
A Manufacturer’s warranty covers the products that are put into your home. These warranties are promises made by the manufacturers that produced the product to cover any issues with its function or quality. For example, suppose a finish wears off of a faucet under normal wear and tear. In this case, the manufacturer’s warranty will cover this damage as long as it is within the warranty timeframe.
Manufacturer warranties can come in a variety of lengths. They can span from one year to five years, and even a product’s lifetime. The average manufacturer’s warranty is a year in length. Companies that really want to stand behind their product will offer a lifetime warranty.
Manufacturers will not cover damages that happened as a result of the installation, or misuse and/or alterations of the homeowner.
Craftsmanship Warranty
The other type of remodeling warranty is a craftsmanship warranty. A craftsmanship warranty covers the service and installation of the products. Anything that would go wrong in the installation process or becomes a problem due to faulty installation will be covered by a craftsmanship warranty.
For example, let’s go back to the kitchen faucet. Suppose a contractor tightens the faucet with a wrench and scratches the finish. In this case, a craftsmanship warranty will cover that repair.
Like a manufacturer’s warranty, craftsmanship warranties come in various sizes. Some contractors offer a one-year service warranty, while others provide a lifetime warranty. The average craftsmanship warranty lifespan is generally five years.
A craftsmanship warranty tells you, the homeowner, that your contractor promises to install your products without fault, and they pledge to stand behind their work.
Do Manufacturer and Craftsmanship Warranties Overlap?
Product and service warranties can come with a lot of specific language and at times can be confusing to the homeowner. It can also become confusing for the homeowner when trying to file a claim for repair. When discerning between manufacturer and craftsmanship warranties, a good rule of thumb is to know their core aspects.
Anything that goes wrong with your product’s construction is with the manufacturer. If any damages come during the installation or how the feature fits in, that is an issue with the craftsmanship.
Manufacturer and craftsmanship warranties can overlap in several ways.
One way these warranties overlap is that manufacturer’s warranties often cover the product’s overall performance. Craftsmanship warranties may address performance issues that stem from improper installation or construction.
For example, a manufacturer could warrant a product for a lifetime, but they would still not cover labor costs. Your remodeling company would have to contact the manufacturer in order to request a replacement product at no extra cost, as per the warranty.
Manufacturer’s and craftsmanship warranties may cover defects in materials and installation. They ensure that the product is free from flaws in both its construction and the materials used.
The duration of each warranty’s coverage may overlap, especially when both warranties are offered for a limited period after the purchase or installation. However, the specific terms and conditions regarding the duration of coverage may vary between the two warranties.
What Does JSB Home Solutions’ Warranty Offer?
At JSB Home Solutions, we offer a limited lifetime craftsmanship warranty.
You’re probably wondering what that all means. A limited lifetime craftsmanship warranty states that we will service any claim for defective craftsmanship as long as you own the home. If there were any problems with how your space was installed, we will work to make it right.
Our promise is that the material JSB installs will meet or exceed the manufacturer’s and industry standards’ expectations. If the installation is lacking in either of these areas, work will be done and covered to fix the problem.
Our warranty solely covers materials that are damaged due to defective workmanship. It does not extend to labor costs or product replacement, except in cases of installation defects.
Our limited lifetime craftsmanship warranty has one more caveat. The warranty only applies to the homeowner(s) who signed a contract with us. If your kids inherit your home, the warranty will not transfer to them.
Understanding Your Warranty
Understanding warranties in home improvement and remodeling may seem daunting at first. This is due to the various terms and conditions involved. However, homeowners like you can confidently navigate these waters with clarity by receiving the correct information.
It’s essential to recognize the distinct roles that manufacturer and craftsmanship warranties play. Manufacturer warranties cover product defects while craftsmanship warranties deal with installation and service.
These warranties provide a safety net, but they are not all-encompassing. Being aware of the limitations and exclusions of each warranty type is crucial.
As you go down your remodeling journey, we strongly recommend asking every contractor that you interview about the very specific terms of their warranty, and make sure you have a full understanding of what is covered, and what is not covered. Warranties are that important!
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