What does a workmanship warranty cover?

What a workmanship warranty covers

A workmanship warranty covers faults that come from how the job was done: the installation, the fixing, the joining or the finishing. If such a fault shows up within the stated period, the contractor comes back to inspect it and put it right. To claim, you tell the contractor about the fault in the way the warranty sets out, ideally in writing with photos, and give them a fair chance to repair it.

It does not cover a product that is faulty in itself. A tap, a light or an appliance may come with its own warranty from its maker, and that is a separate promise. On a renovation, you may hold both at once: a renovation warranty from the contractor on the work, and makers' warranties on the items that were installed.

When something fails, the first question is whether the fault lies in the work or in the product. The answer decides who you contact first.

Get it in writing

The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) published a guide on fair trading practices for the renovation industry in 2022. It covers a mutually agreed timeline, transparent and itemised pricing with mandatory charges stated at the outset, accurate descriptions, a clear exchange, repair and refund policy, and the consumer's express agreement to changes in the contract.

Treat the workmanship warranty the same way: as written terms, not a promise made at the door. Before you accept any contractor warranty in Singapore, check that the quote or contract states:

• The period. How long the warranty lasts and when it starts.
• What is covered. Which parts of the work, and what counts as a workmanship fault.
• How to report. Who to contact, and whether by email, message or form.
• Response time. How soon the firm will inspect and repair.
• What voids it. For example, misuse or changes made by someone else.

If you are weighing several quotes, put the warranty terms next to the price and scope in the quote comparison tool. A longer period helps only if the terms behind it are clear.

The Lemon Law is about goods

The Lemon Law is a different protection. The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) explains on its Lemon Law page that the law covers defective goods and does not apply to services. Remedies come in order: repair or replacement first, then a price reduction or a refund. CASE also notes that you may lose the remedy if you repair the item yourself and damage it, or where the problem is wear and tear. So raise a fault with a new item before you try any repair of your own.

This means one job can raise two separate questions. If a newly installed item is faulty in itself, that is a question about the goods. If it fails because of how it was fitted, that is a question for the contractor's workmanship warranty. With an aircon, for example, a fault in the unit itself is a product question, while a fault in how it was mounted or connected is a workmanship question. For an appliance example, see aircon warranty explained.

When the contractor will not fix it

Start with the firm, in writing. Send an email or message with the date you noticed the fault, clear photos, the relevant part of the warranty terms and a request for an inspection. Keep it factual and keep every reply, since a written record matters if the matter goes further. For more on handling a dispute with a contractor, see the separate guide.

If the firm does not reply or refuses to act, contact CASE. It is the first point of contact for consumer disputes and can help with mediation.

If that does not settle it, the Small Claims Tribunals hear claims arising from contracts for the supply of services, and the Courts give renovation as an example. A claim must be filed within 2 years from the date the cause of action arose, so do not let a warranty dispute drift while you wait for a reply.

Check defects before the final payment

The final payment is the natural point to check the work closely. CASE's consumer advice in the CCCS release on its renovation guide is to insist on a written contract, pay progressively by milestones, and photograph defects and make sure they are fixed before you make full payment.

Walk through each area in good light. Open and close doors, drawers and windows, run each tap, look under sinks for drips and check tiles, joints and paint finishes. Note each defect with a photo and agree when it will be fixed. Use the post-renovation defects checklist to work through the home in order.

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