Before you make an expensive purchase, you always want to ensure it will be worth it, right?
You’re thinking about the quality of the product, how it will benefit you, and how long it will last when considering a significant investment.
As you debate whether a product is worth buying, one of the biggest things you wonder is whether this product will last for what it is worth and what happens if something breaks or goes wrong with it?
This is where warranties come into play.
Whether it’s a new refrigerator, a freshly-built outdoor deck, or a brand new car, you need to know that your investment will be worth it. Not only this, but you need to know that if something does happen, what then?
You need to know that your purchase is insured by a quality warranty that will have you covered for years to come.
At Southwest Exteriors, we offer a lifetime warranty for all products we install in your home for as long as you own your home. As a San Antonio exterior remodeling company since 1989, we’ve upheld this warranty for many past homeowners who worked with us.
We understand a high-quality warranty both ensures your products are manufactured to last and that the company you work with will be there in the future when you need them.
So, to best understand warranties, you’re researching what a warranty is, the parts of a warranty, and some baseline facts you need to know to find a quality warranty.
That’s where we’re here to help.
This article will outline four key things to know when looking for a high-quality product warranty.
After reading, you will have the right information to analyze a warranty and know if it is of quality or not. Then, when looking for the right product, you will know what to look for and determine if a warranty is the best for you.
What do I need to know about product warranties?
Understanding warranties is essential before making any big purchase. So, what do you need to know about a product warranty?
There are four crucial things you must understand when looking at a warranty. They are:
- The warranty will tell you the quality of the product
- You must define the lifetime of a warranty
- You have to look into the history of the product, manufacturer, and company
- You need to distinguish between a company warranty and a manufacturer warranty
Let’s look into each of these things so you can better understand warranties and what to look at.
1. The warranty will tell you the quality of the product or service
One thing you may not have been looking for in a warranty is what it says about the quality of the product or service. Two parts of the warranty that will tell you this is the lifetime and coverage in the warranty.
If the lifetime of a warranty is only five years, then that tells you the product is not meant to last more than five years.
When looking at the coverage of a product or service, you want to make sure what is included and excluded makes sense for the product or service you purchase.
For example, if you have an HVAC unit with a warranty that doesn’t cover the heater exchanger component, the product was not made to last.
This first thing is important to be aware of when purchasing a new product or service.
2. You must define the lifetime of the warranty
While you first want to be aware of the length of the warranty, or the lifetime, you also must define what a lifetime is for that warranty.
If a product has a lifetime warranty, it may not mean your lifetime. Some lifetime warranties mean the product's lifetime or how long it will last.
This could be two years, or it might be 20 years. This is why it is important to define the lifetime of your warranty to understand the quality of the product and warranty and know how long your coverage is good for.
3. You have to look into the history of the product, manufacturer, and company
The third thing you need to know about warranties is that you must know about the history of your purchase. This includes the product, product manufacturer, and company you purchase the product from.
When looking into these things, you want to look at real reviews of the product, manufacturer, and company and how long they have been in business.
Seeing real reviews shows you the product quality and the workmanship of the company you purchase it from.
Knowing how long a manufacturer and company has been in business tells you if they are reliable. If a company has only been in business for a year or two but has a 30-year warranty, how can you trust they will be there in 30 years?
This is why working with a company that offers products with a longstanding history of success is important. Then, you know they are a credible company that stands behind their warranty.
4. You need to distinguish between a company warranty and a manufacturer warranty
The fourth thing you need to know about warranties is that there is a difference between a company and a manufacturer warranty.
When you buy a product from a company, that product is most likely manufactured by either a different corporation or branch of that company.
If you buy a product that must be installed and have it installed by a company separate from the manufacturer that made the product, then it’s important you understand and differentiate between both warranties.
The manufacturer’s warranty will cover potential damages to the actual product. The company’s warranty often covers the installation of that product, whereas manufacturer warranties typically exclude damages that occur from improper installation.
So, if you purchase a product that is manufactured by one company and installed by another, it’s important to understand each separate warranty.
Understanding product warranties before you buy
Now you know four essential things about warranties to keep in mind when investing in any product.
Understanding your product’s warranty is crucial to ensure you purchase a high-quality product that will last. It’s also important to distinguish between a product warranty and a company warranty if your product is installed NOT by the manufacturer.
Remember, when looking at a warranty, you must define the lifetime and what a lifetime means. You also have to look at the history of the company you are purchasing from to be confident they will be there for you in the future.
Overall, the quality of the warranty will tell you what the quality of the product is. This is why understanding warranties are so important.
Because Southwest Exteriors offers a lifetime warranty on our workmanship for as long as you own your home, we understand the importance of finding a quality company that offers quality products that will make your investment worthwhile.
Whether you are looking to remodel your home or upgrade a high-dollar item of yours, we want you to have the right information to understand warranties.
You want to know exactly what to look for in a product warranty, as well as identify the parts of a warranty to dissect further and understand it.
So, how do you look at a warranty, and what are the important parts you should pay attention to?
This article will outline seven parts of a warranty that you need to identify to understand it better. Then, you will know not only the basics of a warranty, but you will be able to find exactly what you need when looking at any warranty.
