Painting Warranties - How Good Are They?

Long term warranties are a very common marketing tool for selling exterior residential painting projects. But just how valuable are these warranties, and exactly who is warranting what?

Painting Warranties - How Good Are They?

Long term warranties are a very common marketing tool for selling exterior residential painting projects. We've seen warranties that extend for the lifetime of the homeowner, and ten or twenty years isn't unusual. But just how valuable are these warranties, and exactly who is warranting what? It's not as simple as it seems. Here's a brief look at a complicated legal subject. Since we don't claim legal expertise, please use this information only as a starting point for your own research.

Types of Parties Involved

There usually are at least three types of parties involved in a painting project: the manufacturer(s) of the material(s), the seller(s) of the material(s) and the party who applies some or all of them. If something goes wrong, which of them should the consumer look to, and what result can you expect?

Material Warranties from the Manufacturer

Material warranties are provided primarily by the manufacturer. If paint fails after being applied properly and in accordance with the manufacturer's directions, and there is no Act of God involved, the manufacturer usually is responsible. This sounds reassuring, but if you read the fine print on a paint can, you'll see that often the manufacturer will only give you replacement material(s) for the damaged portion of the work, and won't reimburse you for labor to correct the damage and reapply the paint, or for any consequential damage. But maybe the applicator used the wrong type of primer and there was nothing wrong with the paint. Maybe the weather changed before the paint could cure. Sometimes coating failures occur because of construction errors or accidental damage or even deferred maintenance, and there was no fault on the part of the paint manufacturer, seller or applicator. Finding out who is responsible for a failure can be extremely difficult, particularly if the cause isn't obvious, or if each party passes the buck, or if there was a combination of causes.

The Seller's Role

The seller's responsibility varies according to its role in the transaction. If the seller recommends the wrong product, or gives the wrong instructions for its use, the seller has a greater responsibility than if it simply sold requested material to an applicator or consumer. Finding out the exact nature of the seller's role can be difficult if the consumer wasn't involved in the transaction.

Warranty of Workmanship from the Applicator

The most important warranty is the applicator's promise - often oral, sometimes written, that the work will last for a stated period of time. Usually the applicator's warranty covers only that portion of the work that has failed, may or may not include the cost of materials and supplies, and can be pro-rated over the life of the work.

Most paint failures result from improper workmanship, using the wrong materials, construction defects, or Acts of God. Hiring an honest, skilled and experienced applicator with a good track record is the best way to avoid and/or resolve problems. Choose an established, legitimate business with references and evidence of general liability and workers' compensation insurance if there are employees. Check their references and check their complaint record with the Better Business Bureau.

Some Guidelines for Painting Warranties

Be an informed consumer. Find out who is warranting what.
Hire only legitimate businesses that use skilled workers. It's definitely not true that anyone can paint! If you deal with a salesperson, ask who will be on the job actually doing the work, and what their qualifications are. Listen carefully to the answer you get.

• Have all bidders give you a written scope of work, including details of what preparation will be done, and the manufacturer and specific product name(s) of the materials to be used. Manufacturers have product lines that vary in quality. Don't rely on brand name alone.
• Some products must be applied as part of a coating system from that manufacturer. Ask if the primer and finish coats are intended to be used together, or if a special primer is needed for the warranty to be in effect.
• If the warranty is your primary concern, get a copy of it before you accept the bid. Read it carefully so you understand precisely what it covers and how it applies over the life of the paint job. Some reputable applicators may not provide written warranties, but will verbally guarantee their work for a certain period. Use discretion and common sense.
• Discuss the warranty with the applicator. Ask what procedures will be followed to identify the cause of a problem and resolve it. Be sure you're comfortable with the answers you get to these questions.
• Keep a specimen label for each product used, especially the warranty provisions. Record the batch number for each product as the manufacturer will often request this information if there's a problem. If possible, keep a small quantity of the materials from each batch.
• Find out if the warranty is transferable to the new owner if you sell your home.
• If you're paying for a warranty program, be sure to do your homework so you undertand in advance exactly what you'll be getting.