A 3-year warranty sounds reassuring, but in practice it covers less than you might expect. What counts as a warranty claim, what doesn't, and how to make one properly.
Warranty Periods: What's Normal
| Element | Minimum | Market standard |
|---|
| Carcass (melamine board) | 12 months | 18–24 months |
| Doors | 12 months | 12–18 months |
| Hardware (hinges, runners) | 12 months | 12–24 months |
| Postforming / HPL worktop | 12 months | 12–18 months |
| Quartz / acrylic worktop | 12 months | 24–36 months (from manufacturer) |
| Built-in appliances | Per appliance manual | 12–24 months |
Hardware manufacturer warranties (Blum, Hettich) are a separate matter: Blum offers a lifetime guarantee on the mechanics of its hinges and runners under normal use. But you claim it through the furniture company, not directly from Blum.
What the Warranty Covers
- Manufacturing defects: chipped edging, swollen board, PVC film lifting without physical damage
- Hardware failure: hinge breaking without impact, drawer runner failing
- Deviation from contract: dimensions, colour, or material do not match what was specified
- Assembly defects: carcass not fixed to wall, back panel coming away, shelf sagging under no load
- Worktop defect: crack in quartz without impact, postforming swelling at a factory joint
What the Warranty Does Not Cover
- Scratches and chips from normal use — knives, crockery, keys
- PVC film lifting near the hob or sink due to steam and heat — often explicitly excluded in the contract
- Moisture damage from improper maintenance: swollen postforming edge at an unsealed sink
- Fading or colour change on sun-facing doors
- Hinge failure from impact or overloading (door too heavy for the hinge rating)
- Defects caused by the buyer's own repairs or adjustments
- Normal wear: dulling of handles, fingermarks on gloss surfaces
Grey Areas: Disputed Cases
- Edge banding lifting — the manufacturer will say "mechanical damage"; you'll say "adhesive failure". A photo showing no impact marks helps your case
- Crack in an acrylic worktop — if near the sink, the manufacturer may cite thermal shock; document the crack's exact location immediately
- Sagging door after 3 months — a warranty claim (adjustment at manufacturer's cost) if the hinge isn't physically broken
- Swollen board at the plinth — the manufacturer will ask you to prove it wasn't a plumbing leak; photograph the first signs immediately
How to Make a Warranty Claim
- Put it in writing — email or a messaging app with a timestamp; a phone call alone is not enough
- Attach dated photographs of the defect
- Quote the warranty clause from your contract and state the purchase date
- Ask for written confirmation of receipt and a scheduled inspection date
- If the company is unresponsive — send a formal complaint by recorded post with delivery confirmation
Response and Resolution Timelines
- Acknowledgement of your complaint — within 10 working days under consumer protection law
- Remedy — a reasonable period, typically 30–45 days; complex cases (worktop replacement) take longer
- If not resolved in time — you are entitled to a price reduction or replacement
- Keep all correspondence: you will need it if the matter escalates to a formal complaint or court
Furniture Company Warranty vs Hardware Manufacturer Warranty
Your contract is with the furniture company — that is who you pursue. They handle any claims with their suppliers. As a private individual you cannot claim directly from Blum or Hettich — only through an authorised dealer or the furniture manufacturer.
Right after installation, photograph the whole kitchen and any areas of concern individually. A date on the photo is your strongest argument: a defect appearing in the first few months is a manufacturing fault; the same defect after two years of active use is debatable.
What to Do If the Company Has Closed
- A warranty from a dissolved company is unenforceable — there is no one to claim against
- If the company operated as a sole trader — claims can still be made against the individual even after the business closes
- For hardware issues: contact the brand's official dealer — some problems are resolved on the spot
- To reduce this risk: verify the company's registration before signing, and prefer companies with at least 3–5 years of trading history