A Lesson in Fine Print

When homeowners invest in a fence, it’s not just a physical boundary—it’s an investment in their property’s value, security, and aesthetic appeal. At United Warranty Company, we take pride in offering warranties that protect that investment. However, warranties come with terms and conditions, and sometimes, even well-meaning actions can lead to unintended consequences. This is the story of a family who learned the hard way how a little oversight can void a warranty.

The Perfect Fence for the Perfect Yard

After years of saving, a family finally transformed their backyard into a space they could enjoy for years to come. The centerpiece of their upgrade was a stunning white aluminum fence installed by US Fence Pro. The fence provided privacy, security, and a sleek modern aesthetic that tied the entire property together.

To ensure peace of mind, the family opted for the Premium Warranty Plan from United Warranty Company. This plan offered coverage for structural defects, material issues, and more—provided they adhered to all the warranty’s terms and conditions.

What the family didn’t realize was that one of those terms would soon come into play in an unexpected way.

Spring Cleaning Brings a Surprise

As winter faded into spring, the family decided to give their yard a fresh start. Between the overgrown shrubs, dead patches of grass, and a fence line littered with debris, they felt the project was too much to handle on their own.

They hired a local maintenance crew, “Fresh Start Landscaping,” to revitalize their yard. The crew was tasked with trimming shrubs, clearing debris, and reseeding the lawn. The family was thrilled to leave the project in the hands of professionals.

However, during the cleanup, the crew noticed the white aluminum fence had a few minor scuffs and a slightly misaligned gate. Hoping to impress their clients, the workers decided to “touch up” the fence as part of their service.

Without consulting the homeowners, Fresh Start Landscaping attempted to realign the gate by loosening the hinges and adjusting the posts. They also sanded down the scuffs and applied a generic touch-up paint to the affected areas.

A Costly Mistake

Without consulting the homeowners, Fresh Start Landscaping attempted to realign the gate by loosening the hinges and adjusting the posts. They also sanded down the scuffs and applied a generic touch-up paint to the affected areas.

Unfortunately, their well-intentioned efforts backfired. The unapproved adjustments caused the gate to sag, and the touch-up paint did not match the fence’s factory-applied finish, leaving uneven discoloration. Worse, the crew’s efforts interfered with the fence’s structural integrity by tampering with critical components of the installation.

When the family returned to inspect the completed yard, they noticed the issues immediately. They were disappointed but assumed the warranty would cover the repairs.

Filing the Claim

The family contacted United Warranty Company to file a claim under their Premium Warranty Plan. They explained the situation and provided photos of the damage.

As part of the claims process, we reviewed the documentation and conducted an inspection of the fence. It became clear that the landscaping crew had tampered with the fence’s installation and surface coating—two actions explicitly prohibited under the warranty agreement.

We had to deliver the unfortunate news: the warranty was void.

What Went Wrong?

The family was shocked and upset. They hadn’t realized that allowing anyone other than US Fence Pro or an authorized technician to alter the fence would void the warranty. The clause in their agreement was clear:

"Any modifications, repairs, or alterations to the fence by a third party without prior written approval from United Warranty Company will void the warranty in its entirety."

The landscaping crew’s actions, although well-meaning, violated this clause. By loosening the gate hinges, sanding the scuffs, and repainting without using approved materials, they had compromised the fence’s integrity and voided the warranty.

Seeking a Resolution

After the disappointment settled, the family reached out to Fresh Start Landscaping to explain what had happened. Initially, the landscaping crew argued that they were only trying to help and didn’t realize their actions would cause such an issue.

The family provided evidence of the warranty terms and pressed the crew to take responsibility. Eventually, Fresh Start Landscaping agreed to cover the cost of the repairs.

US Fence Pro was called back to replace the misaligned gate, repaint the affected panels with factory-approved coatings, and restore the fence to its original condition.

Lessons Learned

This situation serves as an important reminder for homeowners and contractors alike:

Read and Understand the Warranty Terms

• Warranties often include specific clauses about who is authorized to perform work on the covered item. Even minor adjustments by an unauthorized party can void the coverage.

Communicate with Service Providers

• Homeowners should inform landscapers, maintenance crews, or other contractors of any restrictions related to the property. A quick conversation could have prevented this entire ordeal.

Consult the Experts

• If you notice issues with your fence, always consult the original installer or your warranty provider. They have the expertise to address problems without compromising the warranty.

Hire Responsible Contractors

• A reputable landscaping or maintenance company will ask for permission before making adjustments to something outside their scope of work.

Moving Forward

In the end, the family’s fence was restored, but it came at a cost of time, stress, and money. While the landscaping crew covered the repairs, the incident served as a hard lesson in the importance of respecting warranty terms.

At United Warranty Company, we want all our customers to enjoy the full benefits of their coverage. That’s why we encourage homeowners to familiarize themselves with their warranties and reach out if they ever have questions.

Your fence is an investment, and protecting it starts with understanding the responsibilities that come with it. Together, we can ensure your fence stands tall and proud for years to come—no exceptions.