Marshalls guarantee - worth it?

[MarkRW]

Hi,

I am currently having a new driveway installed by a marshalls approved installer.

I have read up on the guarantee and wondered what peoples thoughts were if it is worth the £50 or is it one of these where the company have got that many loopholes to get out of paying it makes it pointless?

Thanks,
Mark

[local patios and driveway]

why they have to charge 50 quid is beyond me, mine 10yr guarantees are written and handed over on completion of every job, free of charge.

lifetime guarantee for anyone over 100 too

[Carberry]

Shouldn't be charging to guarantee their work. I remember reading over it once and wondering what you could actually claim for, seems like they have it stitched up

[mickg]

its a piece of mind guarantee for the customer in case the Marshall's register contractor ceases trading or is removed from the Marshall's register

I also give a 10 year guarantee but a few of my customer still take out the Marshall's guarantee too and at only £50 per £5,000 contract value its good value for money in my opinion

[parishpaver]

As I understand it the actual charge is for what is referred to as an Insurance Indemnity against the contractor going bust or ceasing trading (as Mick said).

Looked at a job recently where the house was for sale and the buyers lender had asked for a survey which had revealed that the raised patio was knackered, which was totally self evident.

The lender then sent instruction to the seller that they had to get a structural engineers report on the patio. The structural engineers report concluded that the patio was knackered.

The lender then sent instruction to the seller that in order for them to lend the buyer the money they would have to:

a) Get the structural engineer to design a new retaining wall for the patio (most massively over engineered bollocks I have ever seen as patio only extends 3m from house and is only raised 1200 from ground level).

b) Get the structural engineer to monitor works and sign off the construction at all stages.

c) Have the new patio built by a contractor who could provide a 25 year guarantee backed by an Insurance Indemnity.

No amount of bargaining or reducing the asking price seems to make a difference. These are the conditions of the lender and are not subject to negotiation.

Before I even got round to quoting I spent a frustrating hour on the phone speaking to various insurance brokers before concluding that the whole project was far too much aggro and wishing the seller the best for the future. It was questionable as to whether I could have started it within the sort of timeframe they needed any way.

I spoke to sellers daughter last week and they have managed to get quotes from two larger local building firms and they are seriously telephone number quotes. She said her parents were at the stage of calling off the sale which is a shame as they are desperate to move and the house has been on the market for two years.

They are asking way too much for it though IMO.

Anybody had request for similar guarantees on small domestic works?

[lutonlagerlout]

yes and like you we walked
5 years on labour 10 on materials
plus what does " fair wear and tear mean"?
LLL