Warranty and Homeowner Management: Made Simple

Transfering Manufacturers' Product Information

Although many builders and remodelors provide manufacturer’s product and warranty guide in a 3 ring binder, new options are available to deliver digital copies to buyers in a single resource.  For homebuilders and remodelers this information could include product registration procedures, user guides, warranties and installers guides for systems such as HVAC, structured wiring, security and home entertainment.

Providing contact information and website links to manufacturer’s websites has been a particularly important time-saver for builders and their buyers.  Keeping a listing and reciept acknowledgement of exactly which manufacturer’s documents the buyer receives may help minimize the builders exposure to warranty  claims.

Generally manufactured products that could be included are items that are manufactured completely off the jobsite.  Some vendors offer web-based document lockers and library system can help you keep track of homeowner documents and facilitate burning them onto CD-ROM and offering them via their corporate websites.

Warranty registration cards and homeowner obligations

Are homeowners obligated to return their registration card to protect their warranty rights?  Generally this is not true - and prohibited in a few states, notably California.

For warranty purposes, the only information a manufacturer needs is the homeowner's name, the date you purchased the product, its model and serial numbers, and a way to contact you in the event of a product recall. 

But the registration cards usually ask you to provide much more personal information, including marital status, the size of your household, frequency of travel and favorite activities. Product owners are not required to answer personal questions to be protected by the warranty.  (NY Daily News) More...

Magnuson - Moss Warranty Act Revisited

For home building, remodeling and improvements, consumer products warranties are generally transferred to homebuyers or homeowners.  Providing these warranties can protect housing professionals installing these products from defect claims and minimize implied warranties that might otherwise arise.

Consumer products are defined by the FTC's Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act as tangible personal property which is normally used for personal, family, or household purposes.  Materials or equipment that are part of the structure may be considered consumer products if they are specified as a product at the point of sale (contract) and then incorporated into a new home, remodel or improvement. Use this link for updated information about the FTC's definition of a Consumer Product....

The act also requires that the consumer have access to consumer product warranty information prior to purchase.  This may include providing homebuyers with updated copies of the applicable warranties at the sales office or using Internet-based information services that present this information to prospective buyers prior to sale.