Warranty on Taps When Installing Yourself in WA

vegemite2008 on 09/04/2024 - 19:22
Last edited 09/04/2024 - 19:39 by 1 other user

Hi, I recently replaced my bathroom tap myself (WA).

I just read the warranty documentation (which was inside the box). It states that the warranty is void if the installation is not carried out by a plumber. The new WA laws states that it is now legal to install a tap yourself.

I bought it from Bunnings. It comes with a 10 year warranty.

Has anyone had any issues when claiming under warranty and it was a do it yourself job?

It is a Caroma tap. It will probably last longer than 10 years…

Thanks

Home & Garden Tap

Comments

  • BlueGlass on 09/04/2024 - 19:34
    +5

    Link

    A homeowner or occupier, or someone doing the task for them without being paid, can legally undertake work limited to:

    maintenance, repair or replacement of a shower head;
    maintenance or repair of a tap, other than a thermostatic mixing tap;
    replacement of a cistern washer;
    replacement of a water filter cartridge; and
    clearing a blocked fixture or waste pipe by using a plunger.

    Does maintenance mean installing a new tap?

    I doubt bunnings would care, as long as you have a receipt. I suspect the manufacturer would still want a plumber to still do the install.

    • JimmyF on 09/04/2024 - 20:56

      Does maintenance mean installing a new tap?

      Nope, as it clearly says maintenance, repair or replacement when talking about things you can do for other items.

    • Wiadro on 09/04/2024 - 22:39
      +4

      bunnings will refund you on a used paint brush, so a self installed tap will be easy

    • Jake D on 10/04/2024 - 09:18

      So good to know i can legally replace a washer

    • lgacb08 on 15/04/2024 - 10:38

      Depending on the whether Karen is rostered for the days at the big green box. I've heard stories people being knocked back on returning stuff just because they didn't have certificate with the receipt.

  • original15 on 09/04/2024 - 19:38

    So this is just hypothetical?

  • elgrande on 09/04/2024 - 19:47
    +7

    The new WA laws states that it is now legal to install a tap yourself.

    This was to avoid the high callout fees when a plumber needs to travel accross from Sydney or Melbourne.

  • mskeggs on 09/04/2024 - 20:27
    +3

    You can legally service your brand new car yourself, but the manufacturer insists you use a qualified mechanic to qualify for their warranty.

    You can legally install the tap yourself, but the manufacturer insists you use a qualified tradesperson to qualify for their warranty.

  • sumyungguy on 09/04/2024 - 20:34
    +1

    If you ever need to make a warranty claim, how will Caroma know whomever fitted the tap?

    • MS Paint on 09/04/2024 - 20:40
      -1

      In Vic the plumber would issue a certificate of compliance post installation.

      • sumyungguy on 09/04/2024 - 21:25
        +2

        … for jobs over $750, which I know is pretty much flagfall for a plumber but surely a single tap replacement would sneak under? Not applicable anyway with OP being in WA.

        • jv on 09/04/2024 - 22:48
          +1

          but surely a single tap replacement would sneak under?

          I got quoted about $350.

          Bought the exact same tap myself for around $70 and it took me 10 minutes.

          • Sye on 10/04/2024 - 07:16

            @jv: I paid $420 for a plumber, but that was on a Sunday.

      • elgrande on 10/04/2024 - 04:45
        +1

        Yes, or promise they will issue one that evening when they get home to their computer, but fail to do so.

  • Ezekiel2320 on 09/04/2024 - 20:40
    +4

    Manufacturer voluntary warranty and regulations about plumbing have no correlation. Caroma can void their "warranty" for any number of reasons.

    With that said, regardless of who installs a product, you are always protected by consumer law guaranteeing that a product should last a reasonable amount of time. If your product has an unexpectedly quick failure due to a manufacturing defect etc, the onus would be on the manufacturer to prove that the failure was caused by layman installation rather than a manufacturing defect, if they were attempting to refuse to repair/refund/replace the product

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 09/04/2024 - 20:55

    Sure, it may now be legal to install the tap yourself. Doesn't mean you'll do it correctly.

    If the tap itself fails, uninstall and return to Bunnings.

    However you have missed a key issue. A lot of failures result in flooding. A lot of those failures are due to incorrect installation.

  • tsunamisurfer on 09/04/2024 - 21:18

    The process is quite easy.

    A Bunnings Caroma tap shouldn't be that expensive that a loss of a 10 year waraanty is critical.

    Plumbers are very expensive even for a simple job like this because of the call out.

  • boomramada on 09/04/2024 - 21:58

    It is a Caroma tap. It will probably last longer than 10 years…

    I had a similar story but tap only lasted 4 months, fortunately manager at bunnings replaced it for me after a long discussion. So good luck.

    Question I forgot to ask, is manufacturer cover the call out fee, if tap is faulty?

  • SmiTTy on 09/04/2024 - 22:04

    I have installed a tap myself. A few years later it was faulty. I uninstalled it and took it back to bunnings who had a whinge that I shouldve called a plumber to come assess for warranty…. After which they gave me my money back.

  • AustriaBargain on 09/04/2024 - 22:55

    Doesn't take long for a plumber to install taps, they'd probably do it within their callout fee, and time to spare. You could get them to replace your shower heads too while you're at it. Plus they'll warranty their service, to a degree anyway if it starts dripping in a few weeks they'll fix it for free because it should have been done right. If yours starts dripping you'll be looking up YouTube videos on tap installation all night.

  • EmCKay on 09/04/2024 - 23:11

    Bunnings will ask for a Plumbers certificate or invoice to prove that installation was completed by a professional. This information goes on the supplier credit slip. It is against policy to refund/exchange a ‘faulty’ tap without that proof.

  • vegemite2008 on 10/04/2024 - 00:59
    +3

    Thanks for the replies.

    I managed to find a good interview that confirms that it is now legal to install a tap in wa.

    https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/perth-mornings/plumbi…

    Steve Walding, principal policy officer at WA's Building and Energy regulator

    Legally, a manufacturer can can say anything they want as long as they follow Australian Consumer Law.

    Also, there was nothing on the box that stipulated that it had to be installed by a plumber.

    All good.

  • Drakesy on 10/04/2024 - 12:36

    Good luck in them proving you didn't get a plumber to do it.

  • djsweet on 10/04/2024 - 14:28
    +1
    1. How would they know?
    2. Even if they refuse warranty you will still be $$$ up on labour cost so who cares.
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