How to check an installer won't void your warranty

A warranty that vanishes the moment the installer touches your appliance is a trap worth avoiding. Many appliances — washing machines, dishwashers, heat pumps, instant water heaters — come with manufacturer guarantees that explicitly require installation by an approved technician. Hire the wrong person and you'll void that protection, leaving you facing full repair or replacement costs if something fails within the warranty period. The good news: you don't need to guess. There are concrete steps you can take right now to confirm an installer won't jeopardise your coverage.

Check the warranty document first

Before you contact anyone, pull out the warranty paperwork that came with your appliance or find it on the manufacturer's website. Read the installation section carefully. Some warranties require the installer to be "manufacturer-certified" or "authorised"; others accept "qualified technicians" from PIRB-registered plumbing or electrical companies. A few are strict about specific brands or service networks. Knowing exactly what your appliance demands takes five minutes and saves you hours of back-and-forth. Write down the specific language — "PIRB-registered electrician", "SABS-approved installer", or whatever it says — so you have it to hand when vetting candidates.

Ask the installer to prove their credentials

When you get a quote or book a call, ask directly: "Does your company meet this appliance's warranty installation requirements?" Don't accept vague reassurance. Ask them to send you proof. What you're looking for depends on the appliance type. For gas appliances, they should hold a current gas installation certificate (GASS registration or equivalent — ask to see it). For electrical work, they should be registered with PIRB; ask for their registration number and check it yourself on the PIRB website. For plumbing, ask if they're registered with the relevant plumbing authority in your province. For appliance-specific work, some brands maintain lists of approved installers on their websites — search your appliance model and see if that list exists, then verify the installer appears on it.

Insist on seeing documentation before they arrive. If they're reluctant or evasive, that's your answer: move on.

Contact the manufacturer's support line

Once you've shortlisted an installer, phone the appliance manufacturer directly — not a retailer. Ask: "I'm about to hire [installer name / company name] to install my [appliance model]. Will this void my warranty?" The manufacturer's support team can tell you instantly whether that person or company is approved. They may even have a reference number or confirmation email they'll send you. This call takes ten minutes and gives you absolute certainty. Keep that confirmation in a safe place; if something goes wrong within the warranty period and there's a dispute, you'll have evidence that you hired an approved installer.

Check references and ask the right questions

Ask the installer for two or three recent references — people they've installed the same or similar appliances for. When you call, ask: "Did the installer complete the work in one visit?" "Were any issues with the appliance reported later?" "Did you have any trouble claiming warranty on the appliance after installation?" These answers tell you whether they actually know what they're doing, not just whether they hold a certificate on paper. Someone with a credential who rushes the job or cuts corners will leave you with silent failures that show up weeks later — and a voided warranty.

Installing correctly isn't just about avoiding void: it's about your appliance working reliably for years. An installer who respects the manufacturer's requirements respects the appliance itself. Strove lets you find verified installers, check their qualifications, and read genuine feedback from people who've used them — so you can be confident before anyone touches your kitchen.