Typical periods by element
| Element | Typical warranty | Who provides it |
|---|---|---|
| Joinery workmanship | 1–5 years | The contractor |
| Hardware — hinges, runners | 5–10 years | Manufacturer, via the contractor |
| Waterproofing | 5–10 years | The applicator, backed by the contractor |
| Paint and polish | 1–2 years | The contractor |
| Modular units, factory-built | 5–10 years | The manufacturer |
| Appliances | 1–2 years, extendable | The brand, registered in your name |
The four things that make it real
- In writing, with a start date, on the contractor's letterhead — not a verbal assurance.
- Specific about what is covered: workmanship, materials, or both, and which elements.
- Transferable or not — relevant if you may sell or let the flat.
- Backed by a business that will exist. A five-year warranty from a two-year-old single-person operation is a statement of intent, not a guarantee.
How to make a claim that gets answered
Write, do not call. One email per defect, with a photograph, the location, the date it appeared and the warranty reference. Keep the handover document pack where you can find it, because the first question will be the handover date. A written trail also matters if the contractor becomes unresponsive — an email history is the difference between a claim and a complaint.
What is always excluded
Normal wear, misuse, water ingress from outside the contractor's scope — a leaking common wall or a slab from the flat above — modifications by other contractors, and natural variation in materials. That last one matters: veneer darkening, marble developing a patina and timber moving seasonally are characteristics of the material, not defects, and they should be explained before the material is chosen rather than argued about afterwards.
Warranty, guarantee and AMC
In Indian usage the first two are interchangeable, though a guarantee sometimes implies replacement rather than repair. An AMC is a different thing entirely — a paid service contract for routine maintenance, not an obligation arising from the original work. See our warranty and guarantee terms and what to expect from an interior warranty.
Frequently asked questions
How long should an interior warranty last?+
One year is the minimum worth accepting for joinery workmanship, five years is good practice, and waterproofing should carry five to ten. Hardware warranties come from the manufacturer and are often longer than the contractor's own.
Is a verbal warranty enforceable?+
Theoretically, and practically almost never. Get it in writing with a start date and a scope. A contractor unwilling to put a warranty on paper has told you what the warranty is worth.
Does a warranty transfer if I sell the flat?+
Only if the document says so. Most interior warranties are personal to the client who commissioned the work. If you may sell or let within the period, ask for transferability to be stated explicitly.
What if the contractor closes down?+
Manufacturer warranties on hardware, modular units and appliances survive independently, provided you hold the documents. The contractor's own workmanship warranty does not. This is the practical argument for choosing an established firm.