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Warranty · Detail

How to read a dormer warranty

The headline 'ten-year warranty' tells you almost nothing. The real story is in three pages of conditions at the back — and in whether anyone other than the company is standing behind them.
6 min leestijd·Onafhankelijke informatie

Short answer

A serious dormer warranty has three layers: a legal minimum (the Dutch consumer law), a company warranty (5–10 years on construction), and a trade-body warranty (e.g. BouwGarant, VLOK) that protects you if the company is gone. Read all three before you sign — most of the value is in the third.

The three layers of cover

  • Statutory. Dutch consumer law (Boek 7 BW) gives you a right to a product fit for purpose — for hidden defects, that protection runs well beyond the formal warranty period.
  • Company warranty. Usually 5–10 years on construction, sometimes longer on specific components. Only useful if the company is still trading.
  • Trade-body warranty. Backed by an industry organisation. Steps in if the company cannot or will not perform. The single most valuable line in a dormer warranty.

What to read in the warranty document

  • Scope. Construction, lead work, frames, glazing, cladding — which of these are covered, and for how long?
  • Response time. How quickly does the company commit to inspect a reported defect? 5–10 working days is reasonable.
  • Resolution time. How long to actually repair? A vague "as soon as possible" is weaker than "within 30 days for non-emergencies".
  • Transferability. Does the warranty pass to the next owner if you sell the house? A transferable warranty raises the property's value.
  • Maintenance obligations. What must you do yourself (e.g. yearly inspection, paint cycle) to keep the warranty valid?

Exclusions to watch for

FAQ

FAQ

Veelgestelde vragen

01How long should a dormer warranty be?
10 years on construction is the modern standard for a good company. Glazing usually has its own manufacturer warranty (often 10 years against seal failure). Cladding and frames vary by brand.
02What is the difference between a company warranty and a trade-body warranty?
A company warranty depends on the company still existing. A trade-body warranty (e.g. BouwGarant) steps in if the company goes bankrupt or refuses to fix a defect — a far stronger safety net.
03Is the legal '2-year hidden defect' rule enough?
It is the floor, not the ceiling. The Dutch warranty law (consumentenkoop) gives you basic protection, but the explicit company and trade-body warranties go far beyond that.
Conclusie
A warranty is not the promise printed on the front page. It is the conditions on the back, the trade body behind them and the response time when something actually goes wrong. Spend ten minutes reading those three things and you have done more diligence than most homeowners ever do.