The warranty walk before the warranty ends
The owner reports a sticking door just before a warranty period ends. Several other concerns have never been gathered in one list. The project manager realizes that the team planned reactive calls but never arranged a review before the relevant dates.
Schedule a warranty walk before the applicable coverage dates, gather the owner's operating observations and refer each finding for the required assessment and notice. Allow time for the actual contract process rather than choosing a familiar month by habit. Different work or repaired items may have different terms. The walk finds concerns to resolve; it does not decide by appearance alone that every concern is covered.
- Review the actual warranty records and start dates with the contract administrator. Identify systems or items with different terms and confirm who receives a notice under the relevant agreement.
- Ask the owner's operating staff to gather concerns before the walk. Include recurring symptoms, dates, maintenance records and changes to use so the assessment has context.
- Plan the route and attendance around the findings. Arrange the responsible trade or specialist for issues that need technical assessment, and confirm safe access through the owner.
- Record each observation by location and asset, with photos and a clear description. Separate the observed condition from a conclusion about cause or warranty coverage.
- Have the authorized parties assess coverage and issue any required notice in time. Record the response, approved correction and who coordinates access with the owner.
- Verify the agreed action and retain the closing record. Track disputed or unresolved matters explicitly, and update any repair warranty information under the actual terms.
The US federal FAR construction warranty clause illustrates that possession, acceptance and repaired work can affect the relevant warranty arrangements. Read your own terms rather than treating one anniversary as the expiry date for everything.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every system shares the same start and expiry dates.
- Waiting for the last day to send a required notice.
- Recording 'roof defect' without the location and observed condition.
- Treating a planned correction visit as proof the issue was resolved.
Checklist
Before booking the walk
- Actual terms and dates checked
- Owner observations gathered
- Required attendees and access
- Conditions recorded without guessed causes
- Notice process followed
- Corrections and disputes tracked
Check your understanding
The walk finds a concern on equipment with a different warranty period. What should you do?
