What Warranty Do Custom Furniture Manufacturers Offer?
Find out what a custom furniture warranty should cover, industry standards and what warranty Téchne offers.
Warranty is one of the most important criteria when choosing furniture, but also one of the least understood. What does it actually cover? How long should it be? What do you do when you have a problem?
Legal Warranty in Romania
According to Romanian legislation (OUG 140/2021), the minimum warranty for furniture is 2 years from the delivery date. This covers manufacturing defects — problems that occur due to the manufacturer's fault, not improper use.
What the Warranty Should Cover
- Material defects — swollen chipboard, peeling melamine, detached edging (without external cause)
- Manufacturing defects — incorrectly positioned holes, wrong dimensions, faulty assembly
- Hardware — hinges that don't close properly, defective slides, failing connectors
What the Warranty Usually Does NOT Cover
- Damage from transport or incorrect assembly (if assembly is not done by the manufacturer)
- Excessive moisture (chipboard swelling from water)
- Overloading shelves beyond specified limit
- Scratches, impacts or mechanical damage
- Natural discoloration over time from sunlight
What the Téchne 5-Year Warranty Covers — In Detail
The Téchne 5-year warranty is one of the most generous in the custom furniture industry in Romania. Here is what it concretely includes:
- Body structure: Sides, base, top panel, back — any deformation, cracks or joint separation not caused by excessive overloading.
- Complete hardware (Hafele): Soft-close hinges, full-extension slides, body connectors. If a hinge no longer closes properly or a slide jams within the first 5 years, we replace it free of charge.
- Surface finish: Melamine that peels, abnormal discoloration (not caused by direct sunlight), printing or texture defects.
- Edges: ABS or laser — any peeling not caused by contact with water or steam.
- Drawers: Drawer base, side joints, guides. A Téchne drawer with Hafele slides is tested for 80,000 open-close cycles — the equivalent of 22 years of daily use (10 openings/day).
What Is NOT Covered — and Why
Transparency matters. Here is what is not covered and the reason:
- Damage from improper use: Heavy impacts, deep scratches, burning the surface with hot objects. Reason: these are not manufacturing defects but mechanical or thermal damage.
- Damage caused by flooding or water leaks: If a pipe bursts and water sits on the furniture for hours, the chipboard will swell regardless of quality. Reason: this is a force majeure situation, not a material defect.
- Discoloration from direct sunlight exposure: Any material (including solid wood) discolors over time under direct sunlight. Reason: it is a natural physical phenomenon, not a defect.
- Assembly by third parties: If you choose to assemble yourself or with an external team, the structural warranty may be affected. Reason: incorrect assembly can generate structural tensions leading to subsequent damage.
- Chronic overloading: Shelves have a specified capacity (10-15 kg standard). If you store 30 kg of books on an 80 cm shelf, the deformation is not a defect. Reason: the material has documented physical limits.
How to Make a Warranty Claim at Téchne
The process is simple and transparent:
- Photograph the problem: Take 2-3 clear photos of the defect from different angles. Include an overview photo showing the complete piece.
- Contact us: Send the photos along with your order number (from the invoice) via email or the contact form on the website.
- Evaluation within 48 hours: Our team analyzes the photos and confirms whether the issue is covered by warranty. In over 90% of cases, the decision is made from photos alone, without a physical visit.
- Schedule service visit: If the warranty applies, we schedule a service team visit to your home. The intervention includes replacing the defective piece, re-adjustment or repair, at no cost to you.
- Replacement parts: If a piece needs replacing (a panel, a front, a slide), it is produced and delivered within 7-14 working days.
Industry Standards
- 2 years — legal minimum, offered by budget manufacturers
- 3-5 years — standard for mid-premium quality manufacturers
- 10-25 years — offered by premium brands (usually on specific hardware, not the entire product)
Comparison with Other Warranty Periods
It is worth understanding what hides behind warranty numbers:
- IKEA — 10 years (limited): Sounds impressive, but the IKEA 10-year warranty applies only to certain ranges (PAX, BESTA) and covers strictly structural defects. Hardware, finishes and interior components have shorter terms. Also, DIY assembly means any problem caused by incorrect assembly is not covered.
- Generic manufacturers — 2 years: The legal minimum. These manufacturers offer strictly what the law requires, which suggests either limited confidence in the product or a desire to minimize post-sale costs.
- Téchne — 5 years (comprehensive): Covers everything — structure, hardware, finishes, edges, drawers. Includes home service at no additional cost. This warranty reflects our confidence in the materials and manufacturing processes used.
Why a Longer Warranty Means Confidence in Quality
Warranty is not just a legal obligation — it is a direct indicator of quality. A manufacturer offering 5 years of warranty on the entire product assumes a significant financial risk if the product is not durable. This means:
- Materials are selected for durability, not just minimum price
- Manufacturing processes are rigorously controlled — any systemic defect would generate enormous warranty costs
- Hardware is premium quality — Hafele at Téchne is not a luxury but a necessity to support a 5-year warranty
- Edges are applied with laser technology — a thermally bonded edge peels in 2-3 years; a laser-bonded one lasts 15-20 years
When comparing two similar price offers, always check the warranty. A lower price with a 2-year warranty may mean much higher repair or replacement costs in the long run than a slightly higher price with a 5-year warranty.
Téchne Warranty
At Téchne we offer a 5-year warranty on the entire product, covering:
- All materials (chipboard, edging, back panel)
- Complete hardware (Hafele — hinges, slides, connectors)
- Structure and assembly
If a problem occurs during the warranty period, our team comes to your home — at no additional cost. The extended warranty is possible thanks to a rigorous quality control process: before production, every order is manually verified and confirmed by a human operator.
Practical Tips
- Keep the invoice and warranty certificate
- Photograph any issues before contacting the manufacturer
- Don't try to repair yourself — you may void the warranty
- Check if assembly is included — self-assembly may void the warranty with some manufacturers
Téchne furniture with 5-year warranty