What's A Warranty Worth?

When something goes wrong, you want to know someone will make it right—but that depends on who you hired.

What Homeowners Expect from a Paint Warranty

A written warranty sounds reassuring—especially when you’re dealing with a major project like exterior painting. But not all warranties are created equal. The true value lies in who’s backing it, how long they’ve been in business, and how they handle problems.

A great warranty is more about the relationship than the paperwork.

Most Risk Rests with the Contractor

Paint is easy to replace. Labor depends entirely on who you hired—and whether they’re still around to do the work.

There are two types of warranties: one from the paint manufacturer (materials) and one from the contractor (labor). The labor warranty is where the real stakes are.

Paint failures are rare with high-quality products. But labor issues—like poor prep or rushed work—can show up within months.

According to the Painting Contractors Association, the average painting company stays in business for just 1.5 years. And the SBA says 80% of new service businesses don’t make it to their fifth year.

So even if your warranty says “five years,” you should ask how long the company has been around—and how confident you feel they’ll still be answering calls when it matters.

Manufacturer Warranties Sound Great—But Rarely Matter

Paint companies back the product, but actual defects are incredibly rare when premium materials are used.

At Crestwood Painting, we use Sherwin-Williams Duration on our exterior painting projects. It comes with a lifetime product warranty. Sounds impressive, right?

But here’s the thing: with top-tier paint, failure is almost unheard of. Most reps will gladly supply extra gallons for a rare warranty issue—but it almost never comes to that. The paint just doesn’t fail when it’s applied properly.

A five-year warranty from a company that’s only been around for six months doesn’t mean much.

And that brings us back to labor. Materials aren’t the problem. The question is: who’s putting them on your house?

What Happens If There’s a Problem?

If your contractor answers the phone and says, “No problem—we’ll take care of it,” that’s the best-case scenario.

A good contractor doesn’t wait for the manufacturer to weigh in. They just fix it. That’s the kind of response you want, and frankly, the only kind that matters.

Yes, a slight color mismatch might happen if touch-up is needed. Yes, the sun will affect sheen and color over time. But a responsible painter will make things right, not make excuses.

Beware of Bargains That Come with Big Promises

If the warranty is your backup plan, the job should be inexpensive enough that you can live with the risk.

Let’s be honest—if you’re already bracing for a possible warranty claim, maybe the price should reflect that. A warranty is only comforting when you have confidence in the person offering it.

Hiring the cheapest bid and counting on a five-year labor warranty to smooth things over later? That’s not a plan. That’s wishful thinking.

When a Warranty Actually Works

Reputable contractors rarely get warranty calls—but when they do, it’s often resolved quickly and cheerfully.

At Crestwood Painting, we’ve had very few warranty issues over the years. But when we do, it’s simple: we show up, repaint the affected area, and make it right.

Once, a deep chocolate-brown paint faded faster than expected. Sherwin-Williams provided new product without hesitation. We repainted the entire section so there’d be no color mismatch. The customer was delighted—again.

Trust Beats Paperwork Every Time

If you feel confident your contractor will take care of issues, you may not need to read the fine print.

The best warranty? A company that doesn’t disappear, dodge calls, or blame the weather. A company that’s clear, communicative, and stands behind their work—even if it means fixing something for free.

If you trust your contractor, a warranty becomes a formality. If you don’t, then no document in the world will protect you.

Looking for more smart planning advice? Check out tips for painting trim, top 4 questions for a productive painting estimate, or start dreaming with our best front door colors guide.

Book a Quick Estimate

Need help evaluating more than just the price? We’re happy to walk you through what matters—and what doesn’t. You can book an estimate at your convenience. The visit usually takes less than 30 minutes, and there’s no pressure—just honest answers.