Two warranties, two different promises
A new fence or gate often comes with more than one warranty, and they are not the same thing.
A material warranty comes from the manufacturer. It generally addresses defects in the product itself, such as a material that cracks, peels, fades beyond a stated limit or fails in a way the maker acknowledges as a defect. Duration varies a great deal by product and brand, and some are described as “limited lifetime.” That phrase can be misleading, because it usually has conditions and does not mean forever.
A workmanship warranty comes from the installer. It covers errors in how the fence was built, such as posts that lean soon after installation, gates that sag because of poor hanging, or loose hardware. These warranties are often much shorter than material warranties, commonly measured in a small number of years, though terms differ and some contractors offer none.
A good question to ask early is who stands behind each part, and whether the answer is written in the contract. A material defect that the installer has to replace under the manufacturer’s rules is a different situation from a defect the installer built in.
What is commonly covered
Typical coverage, depending on the product and terms, can include:
- manufacturing defects in boards, panels, rails or posts
- finish or coating failure under stated conditions, such as peeling of a factory coating
- rot or insect damage in treated wood, within limits
- hardware defects for specific parts
- workmanship problems appearing soon after installation
Read the specific wording. A warranty may replace the faulty material but not pay for labor to remove and reinstall it, which can be a larger expense than the part itself.
Common exclusions
Exclusions are where many claims run into trouble. Frequently listed items include:
- Normal wear and weathering, including color change, surface checking or small cracks in wood
- Storm and natural events, such as high wind, flood, falling trees, hail or frost damage
- Improper installation by someone other than the warrantor, which matters if you build it yourself or hire a different crew for repairs
- Lack of maintenance, for instance not sealing wood when the instructions call for it
- Contact with chemicals, soil or standing water
- Alterations or misuse, like attaching heavy items to panels or climbing on them
- Damage from animals, vehicles or lawn equipment
- Cosmetic issues that do not affect function
- Automatic gate openers and electronics, which often have separate, shorter warranties handled by their manufacturers
Poor drainage and ground movement may also be excluded, so site conditions you know about are worth mentioning to the installer. Our article on fence drainage covers the water issues that cause many such problems.
Conditions to look for
Many warranties require action from you:
- Registration within a set period after purchase
- Proof of purchase and proof of installation date
- Maintenance according to the maker’s instructions
- Notice within a certain time after discovering the problem
- Transferability, meaning whether coverage passes to a new owner if you sell the home, and whether a fee or form is needed
Missing a registration deadline or ignoring a maintenance requirement is a common reason claims are denied.
Questions to ask before you sign
- What does the warranty cover, for how long, and who pays for labor?
- Is it pro-rated, so that your share of the cost grows over time?
- What actions void it?
- Who do I contact, and how do I submit a claim?
- Will the installer still be in business and reachable in several years? Warranties from a company that closes are only as good as the paper.
- Is anything covered by both manufacturer and installer, and how do they coordinate?
Get answers in writing and make sure they match the contract. Our guide to contractor bids and contracts suggests where warranty terms should appear.
Keep records
Save the contract, receipts, product names and batch information, warranty documents, and dated photos of the finished fence. Photograph any defect when it appears, and report it promptly. If maintenance is required, keep notes of when you did it.
A warranty is helpful, but it is not insurance against every problem, and it does not replace choosing suitable materials and having the work done properly. Terms differ widely, so rely on the actual document you receive and ask for clarification where it is unclear.