Tip · Warranties
Save the warranty, not just the promise
The short answer
Get the actual written terms and keep them with your contract and receipt. Identify what work or product is covered, the responsible business, the time period, exclusions and claim procedure. A sales phrase such as “lifetime” does not answer those questions.
Editorial status: source-checked on 2026-10-07; not reviewed by a lawyer, licensing authority, engineer or trade professional. United States. Licensing, contract and permit requirements vary by state, locality and trade.
Turn the promise into questions
Ask whether the promise concerns the manufacturer’s product or the contractor’s workmanship. Request the documents before signing so the proposed contract and warranty can be read together. Do not assume the two cover the same problem.
Keep a practical record
Save installation dates, model or product information and any maintenance instructions supplied. Ask how a claim should be reported and keep the contact details somewhere you can find after the project folder is archived.
When the written terms differ
Ask for clarification in writing before accepting the promise. If a later dispute remains unresolved, collect the agreement and correspondence and contact your state consumer office. Enforceability and available remedies depend on the actual agreement and applicable law.
Sources
Primary government and consumer-protection sources checked for this guide:
- Warranties, Federal Trade Commission. Accessed .
- State consumer protection offices, USAGov. Accessed .