FMB MasterBond Warranty - worth it?

Savvy_Sue

Not sure if this should be on the "Is this fair" bit of the board, but if I start here maybe the Board Guide will move it if necessary.

We need a new roof. We have two quotes. In an ideal world I'd get more, but I've tried, and you can't MAKE them come and quote, can you?

Quote A: £7700 plus £450 for the porch, and I presume there's VAT on top of that.

Quote B: £9000 + VAT. Also offers an FMB MasterBond Warranty: ie we pay extra and we're covered for two years against defects due to faulty workmanship or materials, and against structural defects for a further eight years. Plus other benefits, but that's the one I'm a bit phased by. If the roof started leaking again in 3 years, how easy would it be to tell whether it was 'faulty workmanship or materials' or a 'structural defect'?

If we went for the MasterBond I think we'd be paying between £150 and £200. Is it worth it?

Both companies come recommended by people who've had work done and were happy with it. And - something I'm impressed by - they've turned up when they've said they'll turn up, and done what they said they'll do. But Company A probably isn't a member of the FMB: not sure how much that matters? If it doesn't, my next question to them both is almost certainly "How soon can you start?" :rotfl:

wolfehouse

are you talking about the 10% extra you pay before a job starts to be covered by poor workmanship/collapse/dispute with someone on the master builders list?

If so I would definately go for it. Just because someone is a master builder doesn't make all the usual problems disappear. I had all my soffits and gutters repaired by a 'master builder' with fair trade status etc. and the job was done poorly. Turns out the fair trade stamp meant nothing and as i had not paid beforehand I was not covered by master builders either (he didn't tell me about the scheme). I did get some money from my home insurance as the legal dept said we had a case but it cost too much to take him to court.

If you pay the 'insurance' the job will be finished or put right by another master-builder if things go wrong.

The only time I wouldn't consider it now is if I'm absolutely airtight sure of the contractor's character beforehand.

Nile

Hello Savvy_Sue

Yes, I think it will be better placed in the 'Is This Fair' board, so I'll move it across.;)

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

Regards

Nile

Savvy_Sue

wolfehouse wrote:

are you talking about the 10% extra you pay before a job starts to be covered by poor workmanship/collapse/dispute with someone on the master builders list?

I think so, but all I have is a leaflet about the scheme with one of the quotes. This chap has already done some work for us but did not give us a leaflet with his previous quote (admittedly a lot smaller!), I think at that point he told me he was a member of the Institute of Roofers, so maybe he's only just joined FMB. If I go with that quote I will ask him for more details about costs etc.

wolfehouse wrote:

If you pay the 'insurance' the job will be finished or put right by another master-builder if things go wrong.

The only time I wouldn't consider it now is if I'm absolutely airtight sure of the contractor's character beforehand.

Yes, I'd noticed that and thought it useful, although I think there's some 'small print' I'd want to read first ... And of course, even if you are sure - can one ever be? - about the contractor's character, things go wrong for even the best run of companies ...

But I'm left with this question about how long I'd be covered for:

If the roof started leaking again in 3 years, how easy would it be to tell whether it was 'faulty workmanship or materials' or a 'structural defect'?

Because we'd only be covered for 2 years for anything 'faulty', and a further 8 for any 'structural defect'. Realistically, am I looking at 2 years cover against a leaking roof, or 10? Anyone know?

Thanks for the help so far ...

Sooler

Be aware ...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/jan/26/homeimprovements.insurance

"The FMB, and its insurers, declined their claim, arguing the policy clearly states the original builder has to be allowed to finish the job. "The situation is crazy," says Lal. "The FMB has struck this guy off its MasterBond scheme and he is facing a disciplinary meeting - but it insists on us allowing him to complete the work. It's contrary to all common sense."

Roseberry_2

I think you need to look into "Liability For Latent Defects". As I understand it in the past this has mostly applied to professionals like architects but a recent change in EU law (I believe) means that it now applies to every product or service. In this case the additional cost you may be asked to pay for such as this warranty or even extended warranty on the new washing machine is money down the pan. The supplier of the product or service is obliged to cover "latent defects" for 6 years!

This is my understanding. Anyone else any better knowledge?

Cheers

brightontraveller

FMB....The Guild of Master Craftsmen :rotfl: etc etc Yes pay 6 pounds a week and become a member..... if they do bad work you have to let them back to rectify it ? could be even more bad work ? they can't force builder etc to pay but you can get independent experts opinion and take them to court.... but you can do that if they are not members From there own web site

The FMB complaints procedure has teeth. If members don't meet our standards they can be removed from the FMB register

now thats teeth... :rolleyes2 assuming the builder is good The most important thing is communication with the builder etc make sure you both now what you want and there doing are the same

BobProperty

brightontraveller wrote: »

FMB....The Guild of Master Craftsmen :rotfl: etc etc Yes pay 6 pounds a week and become a member..... if they do bad work you have to let them back to rectify it ? could be even more bad work ? they can't force builder etc to pay but you can get independent experts opinion and take them to court.... but you can do that if they are not members .....

I could not agree more. So many of these schemes seem to exist for the scheme to make money so that the scheme can exist..... The alternatives are government supported schemes which no one takes up and are similarly ineffective or compulsory registration like CORGI which has loopholes and isn't the most efficient at removing the "bad guys" IMHO. (I think a CORGI type scheme for some trades may help but it won't eliminate poor work)
The law in practice expects you to allow the builder back to rectify any defect, or at least be given the opportunity, so the details you have there are only the same as current legal practice.

ormus

as with most/all warranties, they are not worth the paper they are printed on.
save the money towards any poss problems in the future.
10 yr guarantee? ive never known a roof company to stay in business for 10 yrs.