- Agreed, bigger companies rarely budge... tried negotiating once and got nowhere.
- But yeah, smaller outfits can surprise you. My neighbor got a local roofer to extend their leak warranty from 2 to 5 years just by asking nicely.
- Doesn't hurt to ask, worst they can say is no. Just don't expect miracles from the big guys.
That's a great point about smaller companies being flexible—I had a similar experience with a local plumber who extended coverage on some pipework. Curious though, has anyone actually had success claiming warranty repairs from these smaller outfits down the line?
I've had decent luck with warranty claims from smaller contractors, actually. Had a roofing issue about two years after installation—nothing major, just some flashing coming loose. Called the guy up, and he came out within a couple days, no fuss. Honestly, I think smaller outfits often care more about their local reputation, so they're usually pretty responsive. Of course, your mileage may vary depending on the individual contractor...but overall, I'd trust a solid local business over a big-box warranty any day.
That's great to hear you had a smooth experience. Smaller contractors definitely tend to be more responsive—I've seen it plenty of times during inspections. Usually, they're invested in keeping their local rep solid, so they handle warranty issues quickly and without hassle. Of course, like you said, it can vary...but overall, I'd say your experience lines up pretty well with what I've noticed out in the field. Glad it worked out smoothly for you!
"Usually, they're invested in keeping their local rep solid, so they handle warranty issues quickly and without hassle."
Yeah, that's been my experience too. Had a roof leak a couple years back after a nasty storm—called up the local guy who did the install, and he was out there the next morning. No runaround, no waiting on hold with some corporate office halfway across the country. He just climbed up, took a look, and had it patched up by lunchtime. Didn't even charge me extra since it was covered under warranty.
Of course, I've heard some horror stories too...buddy of mine went with a bigger company thinking it'd be safer, but when he needed repairs under warranty, it took weeks of phone tag and paperwork before anyone showed up. Guess it's always a bit of a gamble, but smaller outfits do seem to care more about their reputation around town. Glad yours turned out well—always nice when things actually go smoothly for once.
