The 12-month workmanship warranty
12 months from Sign Off, you warrant your workmanship. Defects reported in the window are covered however long the resolution takes. Defects first reported after the window are out of scope.
You warrant your workmanship for 12 months from Sign Off. The customer-side article The 12-month workmanship warranty is the canonical source on what's covered; this article describes operational practice from your side.
When you'll hear about a workmanship issue
Customers usually raise workmanship issues with you directly, since the contract is between the two of you. Some come through Beams; in that case we pass on the evidence (photos, description) and ask for your view.
Acknowledge promptly and fix promptly. Under the HIC you must remedy defects within 28 days of being notified. The article Resolving issues on-site covers the broader response practice.
How the clock works
The 12-month clock runs continuously from Sign Off. It does not pause or restart. What matters is whether the defect was reported within the 12 months — once reported in time, the resolution is covered however long it takes.
So a defect reported in month 11 with a resolution that stretches into month 14 is fine — covered, even though the work to fix it falls outside the window.
Defects first reported after the 12-month window are out of scope, even if an earlier in-window defect is still being sorted.
What's covered
Workmanship — the way things were installed and built. If a defect surfaces because of how the work was done, it's covered.
What's not covered:
- Wear and tear — normal use over time.
- Damage from how the customer has used the space — accident, mistreatment.
- Product defects — supplier warranty, not yours. The customer-side article What to do if a product I receive is faulty describes the customer's path.
- Issues from changes the customer or another builder has made.
Cost of warranty work
Where the issue is genuinely workmanship, you cover the remediation. Where you and the customer disagree about whether it's workmanship or a product defect, Beams can give both of you a view on the evidence against the HIC. If you still can't agree, either side can use an independent dispute resolution service.
When you can't honour the warranty
Your 12-month warranty under the HIC is binding even if you leave the network or your business closes. If you can't be reached, Beams will help the customer find a different builder to put the work right.
What this means for you
Take warranty issues seriously and respond fast. A clean, prompt response on a warranty claim is what protects your reputation. A drawn-out one is what damages it.