| Author |
Message |
Randall A Chapple, AIA, SE, CCS, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: rachapple
Post Number: 65
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 - 12:47 pm: |    |
I have been recently getting interest from the architects that I work with for installer's and manufacturer's warranties. Previously I have only been specifying manufacturer's warranties feeling that I want the warranty from the guy with deep pockets and multiple warranties just muddy the water when something needs to be fixed.
We all know that warranties are not the end all be all but I would be curious to here what everyone else does with regard to multiple warranties. |
J. Peter Jordan
Senior Member
Username: jpjordan
Post Number: 508
Registered: 05-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 - 02:24 pm: | |
It does vary across the spectrum of products that get incorporated into a building, but manufacturers; warranties are going to generallly be limited to the materials/products themselves, not the installation. Roofing systems are some of the very few items for which this is not true. Usually, the manufacturer's warranty excludes failures due to poor installation (including preparation, job conditions, etc.), and the only remedy is replacement "stuff." There are many products that fail so infrequently that manufacturers will not hestate to give a conditional warranty that appears to be very good.
Installation (workmanship) is usually warranted by the sub doing the installation. Since the sub (an independent contractor) may be 2 or 3 times removed from the manufacturer (through distribution and sales channels), the manufacturer has no direct control over the installation.
I have long felt that I would rather have a 2nd rate product applied/erected/installed by a good installer than a 1st rate product applied/erected/installed by a jackleg sub who hires day labor for even skill positions.
If you can get the manufacturer to stand behind the installation, you are in a good position to enforce what you suggest; but in the entire spectrum of building products, this will be the exception rather than the rule. |
ken hercenberg
Senior Member
Username: khercenberg
Post Number: 348
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 - 02:48 pm: | |
Keep in mind that manufacturers have lawyers who write warranties for the benefit of the manufacturer, not the Owner.
If you can get a warranty signed by the manufacturer, GC, and Installer, that's the best since all three usually insist that they did their job but the 'other guys' screwed up.
If you're going to get an Installer warranty as well as, or in addition to, a manufacturer warranty, you will probably need to provide sample language which is a bit like getting hit in the head lessons.
No matter how well you write it, odds are that you'll leave out the one condition that will fail. Then the Owner will come to you and it will be your fault that they're not covered. |
Randall A Chapple, AIA, SE, CCS, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: rachapple
Post Number: 66
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 - 03:45 pm: | |
One benefit from extended manufacturer's roofing warranties covering labor and material is that they usually pay a little more attention as to who installs their product and will require certified installers. |
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