How long are you legally responsible for the accessories you fit? | on ElectriciansForums

Discuss How long are you legally responsible for the accessories you fit? in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

F

ffm

Hi all,

Question for you all. Just been contacted by a client that i installed a strip light for 11 months ago to say that the light has just failed and its my responsibility to cover all costs associated with replacing the faulty unit. Surely I cant be held accountable for a strip light failing 11 months after install?

Any comments?

Cheers,

FFM
 
Would depend on whether you gave a warranty or not, if it isn't in writing then couldn't see you being held accountable for it! I usually give a year warranty on the gate automation kit I install, but I also charge more for doing so, as if anything is faulty within that period and it isn't to do with my install I need to change it over free of charge!
 
If you supplied the part then it's your business duty to replace it.

The wholesaler should provide one to replace and Bill you, then when you return the faulty one you will get a credit.

simples
 
As standard practice, we replace any item/accessory that fails within a manufacturers warranty free of charge, but this client is particularly difficult, has an unusually large number of newly installed accessories that fail, plus has a habit of tinkering with fixtures and fittings which usually then break and he always asks for them to be replaced under warranty, FOC...... Like the previous electricians who conducted work for him, we have now reached a point that we dont want anything further to do with him......but......does anyone know how long after install we legally bound replace items free of charge? For example, we have also fitted 6 MK Logic plus sockets, several switch plates, several pendants, down lighters etc etc (each has a manufacturers warranty of between five and ten years), does this mean that at any point in the next five to ten years, we are legally bound to return and replace the failed unit FOC? I would hope not.........We give a 6 yr workmanship warranty which does not cover kit fails.

So, outside of a duty of responsibility, are there any actual legal stipulations that anyone is aware of that will bind us to him for the next x number of years?

Cheers,

FFM
 
Any part will come with a standard 1yr guarantee from the fitter or more if expressed.

Any product that fails after the warranty period regardless of its warranty length could be subject to the consumers rights act 1979 recently ammended 2015 to include online purchases to the fact that any product should have a reasonable lifespan expected of such a product, once out of warranty this is usually taken up with the manufacturer although the complainant will need independent verification the product has failed through no fault of the themselves or mis-use at their initial cost which if proven in their favour can be claimed back.

In your situe' you are still liable to replace said fitting unless you can prove its been tampered with, tbh its not worth it, just replace it and wait a month and he's out of the loop for good.
 
Any part will come with a standard 1yr guarantee from the fitter or more if expressed.

Any product that fails after the warranty period regardless of its warranty length could be subject to the consumers rights act 1979 recently ammended 2015 to include online purchases to the fact that any product should have a reasonable lifespan expected of such a product, once out of warranty this is usually taken up with the manufacturer although the complainant will need independent verification the product has failed through no fault of the themselves or mis-use at their initial cost which if proven in their favour can be claimed back.

In your situe' you are still liable to replace said fitting unless you can prove its been tampered with, tbh its not worth it, just replace it and wait a month and he's out of the loop for good.

They are also covered by the sale of goods act 1982 if you supplied them. Yet again a minefield of legislation and gray areas. I haven't had any problems like the OP described but realising the potential flaws and possible customer comebacks. I only start work with a signed agreement by both parties for estimates or quotes which state amongst other things a 12 month guarantee on parts supplied. It doesn't matter whether it is a job for ÂŁ50 or ÂŁ3000, no signature, no workie.

I also keep every receipt from suppliers and make sure they will replace FOC faulty items before I buy from them in the first 12 months. There are some exceptions for long term customers who I know are trustworthy. But you have to cover your a*se for potential pitfalls. I also think it shows the client that you are acting in a professional way to cover both parties.
 
As standard practice, we replace any item/accessory that fails within a manufacturers warranty free of charge, but this client is particularly difficult, has an unusually large number of newly installed accessories that fail, plus has a habit of tinkering with fixtures and fittings which usually then break and he always asks for them to be replaced under warranty, FOC...... Like the previous electricians who conducted work for him, we have now reached a point that we dont want anything further to do with him......but......does anyone know how long after install we legally bound replace items free of charge? For example, we have also fitted 6 MK Logic plus sockets, several switch plates, several pendants, down lighters etc etc (each has a manufacturers warranty of between five and ten years), does this mean that at any point in the next five to ten years, we are legally bound to return and replace the failed unit FOC? I would hope not.........We give a 6 yr workmanship warranty which does not cover kit fails.

So, outside of a duty of responsibility, are there any actual legal stipulations that anyone is aware of that will bind us to him for the next x number of years?

Cheers,

FFM


12 months before you can ignore the calls - so smile, replace the fitting and count down the days until 365 have elapsed since you finished.....
 
The replacement fitting only has a 1 month warranty after you will replace it.
Warranty only runs from the time of original purchase/installation. If replaced 10 times in that 12 months is irrelevant, as the warranty is only for the original purchase. Not for replacements.
 
Not sure but reading the OP, it appears that the client wants the OP to cover the cost of someone else replacing the faulty item.
Not aware of any warranty they would allow such.
The OP should have been made aware of the faulty item, and be given the opertunity to examine the item to establish whether the fault is due to faulty manufacture/installation, or due to misuse or accident.
 
Standard materials warranty is 12 months for the supplier/installer anything after that is a manufacturer issue, any time for labour to replace faulty item is then billable

Also you need to consider this into your pricing, the fact that nearly all materials, even 'quality' brands are made on the cheap in china nowadays

allways factor in a callback for something not lasting out in every single job!

also if its found customer has interferred in any way with item, this would void any warranty in my book

time to ditch that customer asap
 
Last edited:
Firstly many thanks for all your comments on this - greatly appreciated, and have learnt alot!

I spoke with my competent scheme's legal team today and the reply that I got (at this stage), is below. Its interesting in that it agrees with all your comments, but suggests that the time frame for faulty goods is 6 rather than 12 months:

"When a consumer purchases goods or services from a trader, they are automatically protected by consumer laws (giving them what is known as “statutory rights”).

These rights require that any goods sold to a consumer by a trader must correspond with the description given, be of satisfactory quality and be fit for purpose. If they are not, the trader must replace or repair them at their own expense (or provide a reduction/refund if appropriate).

A consumer has an initial 30 day period from the date of purchase to reject faulty goods, but they can still request for a product to be repaired or replaced (or its value refunded) within six months. Throughout this period, the onus is on the trader/seller to prove that the goods were not faulty at the time of purchase. Thereafter, as in your case, the onus falls on the consumer.

If the product has a guarantee/warranty and the fault is discovered within its timeframe, then the consumer could claim for a replacement under it as an alternative to requesting that the trader repair/replace the product."

Cheers,

FFM
 
I can't comment on the legalities of guarantees and warranties in the UK but if you think a customer is likely to tamper with accessories you could always just put an anti-tamper sticker on. Most decent print shops will do customised anti tamper stickers with your business name on them for example.
 

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