Master Electricians Quality Assured members can safeguard the quality of their workmanship and provide extra assurance to consumers with a $20,000 workmanship guarantee.
The guarantee is an integral part of the Master Electricians brand – our members are the only electricians in New Zealand who can offer consumers such assurance.
Master Electricians will consider claims against workmanship for residential prescribed electrical work carried out by a member. The claim period is up to 12 months after either the date the contract work was completed or the date given on the Certificate of Compliance (CoC), whichever is the later.
If you have a complaint, you should first take it up with the electrical contractor concerned.
How it works
The Guarantee Covers
- Work done by the original contractor only
- Labour costs and replacement materials only, up to $20,000 including GST for work completed after 1 January 2017. Work completed before 1 January 2017 is covered up to $10,000 including GST.
- Residential work only
- Member workmanship. Such workmanship must be remedied either by the original contractor or an alternative member as determined by the Master Electricians at its complete discretion.
The Guarantee does not cover
- Unpaid contracts or other pricing or payment disputes or claims
- A claim where further work or alterations or an attempt at remedial action are subsequently carried out without the knowledge and agreement of the original contractor
- Any occurrence that would normally be covered by usual householders insurance, professional indemnity, public liability insurance held by the member or any other forms of insurance
- Disputes under the Construction Contracts Act 2002
- Any claims that have already been lodged with any statutory bodies, as these are already subject to legal process
- Appliance repair work.
Lodging a claim
All claims under the Guarantee must be made within 12 months from either the date of completion of the contract work or the date given on the CoC, whichever is the later. A claim must be lodged with Master Electricians, PO Box 12434, Wellington 6144 or emailing admin@masterelectricians.org.nz. Claims will be acknowledged within five working days of receipt.
Workmanship Guarantee claims process
Making a claim
When a formal claim is received, including a completed Workmanship Guarantee claim form, Master Electricians will inform the member of the claim and consider whether it falls within the scope of the Guarantee and its terms and conditions. A copy of the invoice must be provided, along with the contract if one has been formally entered into.
The Guarantee applies for a period of 12 months from either the date the contract work was completed or the date given on the Certificate of Compliance (CoC), whichever is the later. The onus of proof of invoicing rests with the consumer.
Investigation
If the claim is accepted, Master Electricians will appoint an assessor through the relevant local branch, who will make arrangements for an inspection and site meeting with both parties. This will be arranged as soon as is reasonably practicable, but is largely dependent on the assessor’s availability.
Following the site visit, the assessor will prepare an inspection report outlining the findings. Copies of the report relating to the complaint about the work will be provided to both the consumer and the member.
Result of assessment
If the claim is upheld under the Guarantee terms and conditions and the report findings require remedial work to be undertaken by the member, the local branch will inform the member accordingly and arrange for the work to be done by that person.
Investigation and remedial costs are met by Master Electricians up to the value of $20,000 including GST. Master Electricians will ensure the remedial work is done, and will use an alternative member if appropriate.
If the claim is not upheld, the claimant and the member will be advised accordingly and the claim will be closed.
The Guarantee does not affect the rights of the consumer under the Consumers Guarantee Act 1993.
Substandard workmanship outside Guarantee
In some cases, a claim in respect of substandard workmanship does not fall within the Guarantee, but is within a period of 12 months from the date the contract work was completed or the date given on the CoC. For example, the work may have cost over $20,000. Master Electricians undertakes to investigate such claims, at its discretion, to achieve a satisfactory outcome for the consumer.
Terms and Conditions
- The Master Electricians Workmanship Guarantee issued by Master Electricians is subject to the terms and conditions set out below:
- This Guarantee applies to residential prescribed electrical work undertaken by the Master Electricians members only.
- Where a consumer is dissatisfied with the standard of workmanship and provides a written complaint to Master Electricians in an appropriate format, Master Electricians will investigate and provide the consumer with a written assessment of the quality of workmanship and advice as to whether or not further work is required to complete or remedy the work. Master Electricians undertakes to investigate the matter fairly to achieve a satisfactory outcome for the consumer.
If the complaint is upheld, Master Electricians may, in its discretion, seek to have any work remedied by the original contractor or another nominated member as per the terms and conditions. If the claim is not upheld, Master Electricians will inform the claimant and the member of the outcome and the claim will be closed. The decision of Master Electricians is final and no further appeals will be considered. - From 1 January 2017, the workmanship guarantee is increased from $10,000 to $20,000. The $20,000 workmanship guarantee applies to work completed on or after 1 January 2017. The $10,000 workmanship guarantee remains for work completed before 1 January 2017.
- This Guarantee does not extend to: occurrences that would normally be indemnified under usual householders’ insurance, professional indemnity, public liability insurance held by the member or any other forms of insurance; unpaid contracts; disputes under the Construction Contracts Act 2002; and any claims that have already been lodged with any statutory bodies as these are already subject to legal process.
- The Guarantee does not cover work or alterations carried out subsequently by other parties to the original contractor’s work to complete or extend the original project scope.
- Any claim under the Guarantee must be brought within 12 months from either the date of completion of contract work or the date given on the Certificate of Compliance (CoC), whichever is the later.
- Any claim under this Guarantee shall include such supporting documentation as Master Electricians shall reasonably require, including a copy of the contract if one has been formally entered into.
- Inspection report findings and any recommendations provided are the opinions of Master Electricians Assessor(s) and/or the Disputes Committee of the Master Electricians Council, made to the best of their knowledge, experience and on information supplied by both parties. The report findings and any recommendations are to be used only by the consumer for the purposes of this claim procedure and may not be relied upon by any other person or used for any other purpose.
- Neither Master Electricians Assessor(s) nor the Master Electricians Council, its Disputes Committee or its employees accept any liability for the opinions provided therein. If, as a consequence of the consumer using these materials in an unauthorised way, Master Electricians or any such other person suffers a cost, loss or liability, the consumer will to the fullest extent indemnify Master Electricians or that person for that cost, loss or liability.