If you’re dealing with this situation as a licensed contractor, it’s important to approach it professionally — not as a “lesson,” but as a risk-management and liability issue.
Here’s the reality:
1. What Happened (Technically & Legally)
An unlicensed installer installed a sewage ejector pump.
The pump failed.
The installer is unavailable and did not provide:
Proof of purchase
Distributor information
Installation documentation
The manufacturer requires warranty claims to go through the original distributor.
In most cases, manufacturers (for example, companies like Zoeller Pump Company or Liberty Pumps) require:
Proof of purchase
Model and serial number
Verification of proper installation
Claim submitted by the authorized distributor
If the installer was unlicensed and possibly not an authorized reseller, the warranty may already be void.
Important: Don’t Make It About “Teaching a Lesson”
Even if the homeowner made a poor decision, approaching it emotionally can:
Damage your reputation
Lose referrals
Create liability exposure
Turn into negative online reviews
Position yourself as the solution, not the judge.
How You Should Handle This (Professional Strategy)
Step 1: Diagnose & Document
Perform:
Full pump failure diagnosis
Electrical verification
Basin inspection
Check valve confirmation
Discharge line inspection
Document everything with photos.
Step 2: Explain the Warranty Reality
Explain clearly:
“Because the original installer was unlicensed and we do not have proof of purchase or distributor information, the manufacturer requires the original distributor to process the claim. Without that documentation, the warranty may not be honored.”
Keep it factual. No sarcasm.
Step 3: Offer a Paid Solution
Offer options:
Replace pump only (if system is correct)
Replace pump + check valve + alarm
Full compliant system rebuild (if installation was improper)
Provide written estimate.
Business Advantage for You
This is actually an opportunity to:
Emphasize licensed work
Show code compliance knowledge
Offer warranty-backed installation
Build trust through transparency
You can say:
“When we install a sewage ejector system, we register the product, provide documentation, and ensure the warranty is protected.”
That’s value positioning — not punishment.
Why This Happens Often
Unlicensed installers usually:
Buy from big-box stores
Don’t register products
Don’t follow venting or discharge code
Don’t provide invoices with model/serial numbers
When failure happens, the homeowner has:
No installer
No paperwork
No distributor contact
No valid warranty path
If You Want to Protect Yourself
Always:
Include in your proposal: “Warranty valid only when installed by licensed contractor per manufacturer guidelines.”
Keep distributor invoices
Register pumps online when possible
Provide homeowner a close-out packet
Bottom Line
You don’t need to “teach” the homeowner anything.
The situation already did.
Your role now is:
Diagnose
Document
Present options
Solve professionally
That approach builds long-term authority — especially in Central Florida where unlicensed work is common.
