Crack Repair Guarantee
You spend $300,000.00 on a house and you get a one year guarantee. You buy a car for $40,000.00 and get a drive train only guarantee for three years. Yet, you pay only $300.00 for a foundation crack repair, and most people expect a “lifetime” guarantee! What’s wrong with this scenario?
Some foundation crack repairs do last the lifetime of the foundation, but most don’t! Who started this “lifetime guarantee” crap anyway? There’s no such thing as a lifetime repair! Anyone who knows the dynamics involved in concrete, also knows that all repair materials are susceptible to fatigue over time. So, why should a poor concrete contractor inherit your problem forever for a couple hundred dollars? Remember that most of these guys are there to help you, not to take advantage of you. Most reputable waterproofers will come back without question to make additional repairs if there is a failure due to a defect in their workmanship. On the other hand, how can you expect them to continue to return if your foundation constantly moves and the cracks re-open? This is not a defect in workmanship! Below is an outline on how I used to word my “lifetime guarantee”.
LIMITED LIFETIME GUARANTEE
My Company, Inc. guarantees to provide the highest quality of products and workmanship available. My Company,Inc. is dedicated to complete customer satisfaction, therefore: All guarantees are limited to manufacturers claims and specifications as to the use and application of any and all products.
My Company, Inc. warranties against defects in workmanship according to manufacturers recommended installation and application of said products. The exclusive remedy for all proven claims shall be the refund of original cost of repair or installation only. In no event shall My Company, Inc. be liable for incidental or consequential damages caused by failure of repair. My Company, Inc. is not responsible for the failure of any installation or repair due to movement of concrete for any reason including settling or thermoshock.
Businesses and homeowners are required to provide access to all work areas. My Company, Inc. is not responsible for any damage to furniture, carpeting, paneling, trim, appliances, or any other components of work area damaged during the process of repairs due to the customers failure to remove items from work area. My Company, Inc.is not responsible for sewer or water lines, landscaping, decks, sidewalks, driveways, or any other exterior or interior components of property that may occur during the course of repair or installation. Any modification of repairs by property owners may result in cancellation of warranty. Any exceptions to above conditions will be noted in “Special terms and conditions” section.
Some materials or procedures may be modified or changed according to conditions at the time of repair or installation.
Service charges determined by the industry standard may apply to any or all service calls not covered under the terms of this warranty.
So there it is! This wording is not designed to release the contractor from liability from defects in workmanship. What it does do is release you from responsibility for things out of your control. As I stated in an earlier post, A piece of paper (guarantee), no matter what the company promises, will leverage them to return and honor that guarantee if they have no honor. A piece of paper is a false sense of security for the homeowner. How many homeowners will actually spend triple the cost of the repair, or more, to take a company to court in an effort to force them to honor the guarantee?
The bottom line here is to do your homework! Call references! The real test is to talk to someone who has had an issue with the work a company did, and how the company responded to the complaint. The companies response will speak much louder than a cleverly worded guarantee!
“The worst thing you can do to a chronic complainer is to deprive him of a grievance” - Anonymous
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