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Common mistakes · Detail

Dormer warranty without coverage

A warranty is only as good as the company behind it. Many homeowners discover too late that their 'guarantee' has no real backing.
5 min leestijd·Onafhankelijke informatie

Short answer

A warranty from a company with no insurance or trade body backing is a promise that may not survive a bankruptcy. Always ask who pays if the installer disappears.

The problem

Salespeople sometimes offer long warranties to close a deal. But if the company has no backing, the warranty is just a piece of paper. When the company closes, the homeowner has no one to call.

How to check coverage

Ask for the name of the warranty provider and verify it independently. A genuine backed warranty can be checked with the insurer or trade body.

  • Ask for the warranty provider's name and policy number.
  • Call the provider to confirm the company is registered.
  • Check whether the warranty is transferable to a new owner.
  • Read the exclusions and claim procedure.

What to ask for instead

Look for an insurance-backed guarantee or membership of a recognised trade scheme. These exist specifically to protect homeowners if the installer fails.

The full checklist

Checklist

Warranty coverage checklist

  1. 01The warranty is in writing.
  2. 02The warranty provider is named.
  3. 03I have verified the provider independently.
  4. 04The warranty covers structure, waterproofing and materials.
  5. 05Exclusions and maintenance requirements are clear.
  6. 06The warranty is transferable if I sell the house.
  7. 07The claim procedure is described.
  8. 08I have a copy of the warranty certificate and contract.

FAQ

FAQ

Veelgestelde vragen

01What does 'guarantee without coverage' mean?
It means the company offers a warranty but has no insurance or trade body backing. If the company goes bust, the warranty becomes worthless.
02How do I know if a warranty is backed?
Ask for the name of the insurance provider or trade scheme. Then call them to confirm the company is registered and the warranty is transferable.
03Is a long warranty always better?
Not if the company cannot honour it. A 10-year warranty from a company that has only traded for two years is less valuable than a 6-year warranty backed by insurance.
04What should the warranty cover?
Structure, waterproofing, materials and installation defects. It should also say what is excluded, such as damage caused by lack of maintenance.
Conclusie
A warranty is part of the product. Treat it with the same scepticism as the price: if it sounds too good to be true, ask who is really backing it.