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Warranty & Aftercare Information

At Cabins GB, we pride ourselves on supplying high-quality modular buildings, cabins, welfare units, portable offices, storage containers and Containex units throughout the UK.

Our buildings are manufactured, transported, and installed to high standards and are fully inspected before handover. However, due to the portable and relocatable nature of modular buildings, some minor adjustments and maintenance may occasionally be required following transportation, lifting, repositioning or ongoing use.

This FAQ explains what is covered under warranty, what falls under routine maintenance, and what customers are responsible for during the hire or ownership period.

What does the standard warranty cover?

Our standard warranty covers defects in materials or workmanship that arise during normal use and within the stated warranty period. This typically includes:

  • Structural defects
  • Manufacturing faults
  • Faulty factory-installed components
  • Electrical or plumbing faults caused by installation defects
  • Water ingress caused by failed seals or manufacturing defects
  • Door or window faults caused by manufacturing defects

Any covered issue will be repaired or replaced at our discretion.

What is not covered under warranty?

The warranty does not cover:

  • General wear and tear
  • Cosmetic damage
  • Damage caused during customer relocation or third-party transport
  • Damage caused by misuse, neglect, vandalism or accidental damage
  • Damage caused by lack of maintenance
  • Consumable items
  • Minor adjustments required following transportation or settling
  • Call-outs where no fault is found
  • Drain blockages caused by misuse
  • Frozen pipework due to lack of heating or insulation precautions
  • Leaks caused by loose fittings following transportation or relocation
  • Damage caused by unauthorised modifications or repairs
  • Issues resulting from incorrect site services or utility connections

Modular and portable buildings are relocatable products and minor movement or adjustment of components during transport can occasionally occur.

Are plumbing leaks covered under warranty?

Plumbing systems are pressure tested prior to delivery and handover.

However, due to vibrations and movement during transportation and craning, compression fittings and flexible joints may occasionally require minor tightening after installation or relocation.

Minor tightening of fittings, adjustment of joints, bleeding of systems, or resetting of pipe connections following transport is considered routine maintenance and is not normally covered under warranty unless a manufacturing defect is identified.

Where a genuine defective component or installation fault is identified, this will be covered.

Why do fittings sometimes loosen during transport?

Portable cabins and modular buildings are transported by road and may experience vibration, movement and lifting stresses during delivery, unloading and positioning.

Although all units are checked before dispatch, certain service connections and compression fittings can occasionally require adjustment once the building is positioned on site and utilities are connected.

This is considered normal within the portable building industry.

Are call-out charges applied?

Warranty call-outs are free of charge where a covered defect is confirmed.

However, charges may apply where:

  • No fault is found
  • The issue falls outside warranty cover
  • Damage is caused by misuse or accidental damage
  • The issue relates to customer-supplied equipment
  • The issue relates to routine maintenance
  • Access is unavailable at the arranged visit time
  • The issue could reasonably have been resolved by basic site maintenance

Customers will always be advised before any chargeable works are undertaken.

What counts as routine maintenance?

Routine maintenance includes basic upkeep and minor adjustments that naturally occur during normal use of portable or modular buildings.

Examples include:

  • Tightening plumbing fittings
  • Replacing light bulbs or consumables
  • Resetting tripped breakers
  • Bleeding heaters or radiators
  • Clearing gutters and drains
  • Adjusting door closers or hinges
  • Re-sealing minor cosmetic gaps
  • Replacing batteries in alarms or controls
  • Cleaning filters and vents

Routine maintenance remains the responsibility of the customer unless covered within a separate maintenance agreement.

What should I do if I notice a minor leak?

If a minor leak is identified:

  1. Isolate the water supply if required
  2. Check whether the fitting simply requires tightening
  3. Inspect for obvious accidental damage
  4. Contact our service department with photographs where possible

Many minor leaks can be resolved quickly without the need for an engineer visit.

Are blocked toilets or sinks covered?

No. Blockages caused by misuse, unsuitable materials or lack of cleaning are not covered under warranty.

Examples of non-covered items include:

  • Wet wipes
  • Paper towels
  • Excessive toilet tissue
  • Food waste
  • Building materials
  • Foreign objects

Customers are responsible for maintaining waste systems and ensuring proper usage.

Is frost damage covered?

No. Damage caused by freezing temperatures is not covered where:

  • Heating has been switched off
  • Pipework has not been drained
  • The building has been left vacant without winter precautions
  • Insulation or trace heating recommendations have not been followed

Customers are responsible for protecting buildings during cold weather.

Who is responsible for utility connections?

Customers are responsible for ensuring:

  • Suitable water pressure
  • Correct drainage connections
  • Safe electrical supply
  • Adequate waste disposal
  • Suitable site levels and foundations

Faults caused by incorrect site connections are not covered under warranty.

Can cabins require adjustment after relocation?

Yes. Portable buildings are designed to be movable, however relocation may cause:

  • Minor movement in fittings
  • Door alignment changes
  • Seal movement
  • Cosmetic cracking to mastic or trims
  • Minor plumbing adjustments
  • Electrical reset requirements

These are considered normal post-transport adjustments.

Is damage during customer relocation covered?

No. Any relocation arranged by the customer or third-party contractors is undertaken at the customer’s risk unless agreed otherwise in writing.

This includes:

  • Lifting damage
  • Transit damage
  • Twisting or distortion
  • Impact damage
  • Damage to pipework or fittings
  • Roof or cladding damage

We strongly recommend relocation is carried out by experienced modular building transport specialists.

What site conditions are required?

Customers must ensure:

  • Safe access for delivery vehicles and cranes
  • Adequate hardstanding or foundations
  • Suitable drainage
  • Clear installation areas
  • Adequate clearance around the building
  • Suitable ground bearing capacity

Problems caused by unsuitable site conditions are not covered under warranty.

Are electrical faults covered?

Factory-installed electrical faults are covered during the warranty period.

However, the following are excluded:

  • Tripped breakers caused by customer equipment
  • Overloaded circuits
  • Damage caused by third-party electrical works
  • Power supply faults
  • Damage caused by water ingress due to customer negligence
  • Consumable items such as bulbs, batteries or fuses
Are heaters and air conditioning systems covered?

Manufacturer warranties apply to heating and air conditioning units where applicable.

Routine servicing, filter cleaning and maintenance remain the customer’s responsibility.

Lack of servicing may invalidate manufacturer warranties.

Are doors and windows covered?

Yes, defects in manufacture are covered.

However, the following are generally excluded:

  • Damage caused by forced entry
  • Broken glass
  • Damage caused by impact
  • Minor adjustment due to settlement or transport
  • Wear to handles, closers or locks through normal use

Periodic adjustment of doors may be required as part of routine maintenance.

Is cosmetic damage covered?

Minor cosmetic marks, dents, scratches or sealant shrinkage that do not affect the operation or weatherproofing of the building are not normally covered.

Any transport or cosmetic concerns should be reported immediately upon delivery.

Who is responsible for hired units?

Customers hiring units are responsible for:

  • Day-to-day care of the building
  • Preventing misuse or vandalism
  • Basic housekeeping and maintenance
  • Keeping units secure
  • Reporting issues promptly
  • Ensuring utilities remain connected safely

Damage beyond fair wear and tear may be chargeable.

Can hired units be modified?

No modifications may be made without written approval.

This includes:

  • Additional wiring
  • Plumbing alterations
  • Satellite dishes or aerials
  • Additional fixings
  • Painting or cladding changes
  • Security equipment installations

Unauthorised modifications may invalidate warranty or hire agreements.

How do I report a warranty issue?

Please provide:

  • Unit reference number
  • Site address
  • Description of the issue
  • Photographs or videos where possible
  • Contact details for site access

Providing clear photographs often allows issues to be diagnosed remotely, reducing unnecessary delays and call-outs.

What happens if an issue is not covered?

Where issues fall outside warranty, we can usually still assist through our maintenance team on a chargeable basis.

A quotation will be provided before works are undertaken.

Can issues be resolved remotely?

Yes. Many minor issues can be resolved by site personnel with guidance from our support team.

  • This may include:
  • Tightening fittings
  • Resetting systems
  • Bleeding heaters
  • Checking breakers
  • Re-aligning components

We will always try to minimise disruption and unnecessary engineer visits where safe and appropriate.

Recommended customer maintenance

To maintain your building and warranty cover, we recommend:

Weekly

  • Check for leaks
  • Inspect doors and windows
  • Check heaters and ventilation systems
  • Ensure gutters and drains are clear

Monthly

  • Inspect sealants and trims
  • Test alarms and safety devices
  • Check plumbing fittings visually
  • Check flooring and wall finishes for damage

During winter

  • Maintain background heating
  • Drain unused systems if vacant
  • Protect exposed pipework from freezing

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