Read the terms, not just the headline.
Ask for the written quotation, scope and guarantee before work starts. Check what problem is being treated, what materials and areas are included, how long cover lasts and what you must do to keep it valid.
A guarantee is an additional promise; it does not erase your statutory rights. GOV.UK explains that consumer services must be carried out with reasonable care and skill, and Citizens Advice recommends getting home-improvement guarantees in writing and checking whether they cover workmanship, materials and future owners.
GOV.UK: Consumer Rights Act 2015 and services →
GOV.UK: implied rights for services →
Citizens Advice: guarantees for building work →
Define the work
Which wall, floor, timber or system is included? Is diagnosis, preparation, making-good and redecoration included or separate?
Name other causes
Ask about roofs, gutters, plumbing, condensation, salts, maintenance, access and later alterations. “Damp” is not one covered defect.
Know the route
Find out who to contact, what evidence is needed, whether there is a deadline and whether the guarantee provider is separate from the installer.
Before you sign.
- The diagnosis and exact scope of work
- Areas, materials, preparation and making-good
- Price, payment stages and any variations
- Guarantee duration, exclusions and maintenance
- Provider, claims process and transferability on sale
- Any aftercare or follow-up inspection
Monitor and report changes.
Follow the written maintenance instructions and keep a record of drying, salts, staining and ventilation. If a problem returns, contact the named provider with the evidence and give the original contractor a fair opportunity to inspect, unless the circumstances make that unreasonable.
Common questionsGuarantees in plain English.
What should a damp-proofing guarantee say?
It should identify the work and property, start date, duration, covered failure, exclusions, maintenance conditions and the process for making a claim.
Does a guarantee prove the diagnosis was correct?
No. A guarantee describes contractual cover for specified work. It does not replace a survey or prove that every later damp mark has the same cause.
Can a guarantee cover decorating or unrelated leaks?
Usually not unless the written terms say so. Ask about plumbing, roofs, condensation, salts, third-party repairs, access and making-good before accepting the quotation.