Martha's Warranty Wake-Up
What she learned too late.
What the Brochure Said
Lifetime structural warranty. Transferable to new owners. Coverage for settlement, pier performance, and structural failure. It sounded comprehensive. The salesman emphasized how valuable this would be for resale.
Martha didn't read the fine print. Neither did I until she asked me to look at it when she was selling.
What the Fine Print Said
Transfer required a "warranty transfer inspection" at then-current rates, which turned out to be $1,500. Coverage after transfer was limited to 50% of repair costs. The warranty only covered pier failure, not damage caused by continued settlement in unrepaired areas. And "acts of God" including drought, flood, and earthquake were excluded.
The warranty was real but far narrower than the sales pitch implied.
What Actually Happened
Martha paid the $1,500 transfer fee because having some warranty documentation helped the sale. The buyer got a warranty that covered half of repair costs if the piers specifically failed. Not worthless, but not the "lifetime protection" Martha thought she was passing along.
The Lesson
Marketing language and legal language are different. "Lifetime" doesn't mean unlimited. "Transferable" doesn't mean free transfer. "Structural warranty" doesn't mean all structure. Read the actual document.
Types of Coverage
What different warranty types actually cover.
Workmanship Warranty
Covers defects in how the work was done. If straps weren't bonded properly, if piers weren't driven to adequate depth, if the installation was faulty. This protects against contractor mistakes.
Usually 1-5 years. Some companies offer longer. The question is what constitutes a workmanship defect versus normal operation.
Materials Warranty
Covers failure of the materials themselves. If carbon fiber delaminates, if pier steel corrodes, if epoxy fails. Often backed by the material manufacturer rather than the installer.
Quality materials have long lifespans. Carbon fiber doesn't degrade. Steel piers shouldn't corrode for decades. But read what specific material failures are covered.
Performance Warranty
The most valuable type. Covers the outcome: if settlement continues, if the wall bows more, if water returns through a sealed crack. This is what you actually care about.
Gary's wall anchor warranty covers the wall not bowing further. That's a performance warranty. If the wall moves despite the anchors, the warranty covers additional work. That's meaningful protection.
Transferability
Can the warranty be transferred to a new owner? This matters for resale. But transfer terms vary wildly. Martha's required $1,500 and reduced coverage. Others require only notification. Some aren't transferable at all. Read the terms.
Common Exclusions
What warranties typically don't cover.
New Problems
Most warranties cover the specific area repaired. Gary's wall anchor warranty covers that wall. If his opposite wall develops problems, that's not covered. The warranty protects what was fixed, not the entire foundation.
This is reasonable but sometimes catches people off guard.
Natural Disasters
Earthquakes, floods, and other "acts of God" are typically excluded. If an earthquake damages your repaired foundation, the warranty probably won't help. This is standard but worth understanding.
My cousin Sarah in California found this out when asking about earthquake coverage on her repair warranty. There wasn't any.
Owner Actions
Damage caused by subsequent work is usually excluded. If you excavate next to the foundation, plant large trees near the repair, or make modifications that affect the repair, coverage might be voided.
Reasonable, but be aware of what activities might affect your warranty.
Root Cause Failures
Some warranties exclude problems caused by conditions you were supposed to fix. If your warranty says maintain proper drainage and you let gutters overflow onto the foundation, coverage might be denied.
Gary's warranty requires him to maintain drainage improvements. If he removes the downspout extensions and his wall starts moving again, that's on him.
Cosmetic Issues
Structural warranties typically don't cover cosmetic concerns. Minor cracking near repairs, visible hardware, finish issues. These might bother you but usually aren't covered under structural warranties.
Questions to Ask
Before signing anything.
What Specifically Is Covered
Get a clear list. Is settlement resumption covered? Further wall movement? Crack reopening? Water intrusion through sealed cracks? Don't assume anything is covered that isn't explicitly stated.
Gary asked these questions. His warranty document specifies that the wall will be returned to current bow or better. If it moves backward, additional work is covered.
What's Excluded
Ask about exclusions directly. What would void the warranty? What situations aren't covered? This is where the uncomfortable truths live. Better to know before signing than after a claim is denied.
Transfer Terms
If you might sell, understand transfer terms now. What's the fee? Is there a time limit? Does coverage change after transfer? Martha would have negotiated differently if she'd understood her transfer terms upfront.
Claim Process
How do you actually make a claim? Who do you contact? What documentation is required? How long does the process take? Understanding the claim process before you need it helps if problems arise.
Company Stability
A 25-year warranty from a company that goes bankrupt in 5 years is worthless. How long has the company been in business? Are they financially stable? Warranty value depends on the company surviving to honor it.
Gary chose a contractor partly because they'd been in business 15 years. That track record means the warranty probably has someone behind it.
Comparing Warranties
How to evaluate different offers.
Duration Isn't Everything
A 10-year warranty that covers performance is worth more than a lifetime warranty that only covers material defects. What's covered matters more than how long it's covered.
Company Versus Third-Party
Some warranties are backed by the contractor. Others are backed by third-party warranty companies or insurance. Third-party backing provides protection if the contractor goes out of business. Ask who actually backs the warranty.
Maintenance Requirements
Some warranties require documented maintenance. Annual inspections, gutter cleaning, drainage maintenance. These requirements create ways to deny claims if you haven't kept records. Know what's required.
Gary pays $200 annually for the contractor to inspect and document his anchors. It maintains his warranty and provides piece of mind. Worth it for a $8,400 repair.
Deductibles and Caps
Some warranties have deductibles you pay before coverage kicks in. Some have caps on total coverage. Martha's 50% post-transfer coverage was effectively a 50% deductible on future claims. Read for hidden cost-sharing.
Documentation to Keep
Protect yourself for the future.
Original Contract
The signed contract specifying what work was done. You'll need this for any warranty claim. Keep it somewhere safe and make digital copies.
Warranty Certificate
The actual warranty document with terms and conditions. This is what governs your coverage. Read it, understand it, keep it.
Payment Records
Proof you paid for the work. Invoices, receipts, canceled checks, credit card statements. Claims can be denied without proof of payment.
Before and After Documentation
Photos of the problem before repair and the completed work after. Measurements, inspection reports, anything documenting what was done. This establishes baseline condition.
I take photos of everything now. Gary has photos of his wall before and after anchors. If there's ever a warranty question, he can show exactly what was done.
Maintenance Records
If the warranty requires maintenance, document that you did it. Inspection dates, gutter cleaning dates, whatever is required. This prevents denial based on maintenance failures.
If Something Goes Wrong
How to handle warranty claims.
Document the Problem First
Before contacting anyone, document what's happening. Photos, measurements, dates. This evidence supports your claim and shows when the problem appeared.
Review Your Warranty
Before calling, reread your warranty terms. Is this type of problem covered? Are you within the coverage period? Have you met requirements? Understanding your warranty helps you make a stronger case.
Contact in Writing
Make your initial claim in writing, email or letter. Describe the problem, reference your warranty, request service. This creates a record of when you notified them and what you said.
If They Deny
Get the denial in writing with specific reasons. Review whether the denial is valid under warranty terms. If you disagree, respond in writing explaining why. Consider having an independent expert evaluate the situation.
Sometimes companies deny valid claims hoping you'll go away. Don't.
Escalation
If direct resolution fails, options include BBB complaints, state contractor licensing board complaints, or legal action. The threat of these actions sometimes prompts resolution. Know your options.
The Real Value of Warranties
Honest assessment.
Peace of Mind
The main value is psychological. Knowing you have some protection if things go wrong lets you sleep better. Even if you never make a claim, the warranty has value for your mental health.
Resale Factor
Documented repairs with transferable warranties help resale. Buyers feel better about foundation work when there's warranty backup. Even Martha's limited warranty helped her sale.
Actual Claims
Most foundation repairs don't fail. Most warranties are never claimed. The warranty is insurance against unlikely events. Valuable insurance, but don't overpay for coverage you probably won't use.
Company Quality Matters More
A good contractor doing quality work matters more than warranty terms. The warranty is backup for rare failures. The contractor's skill prevents those failures in the first place. Choose contractors for quality, not just warranty length.