A water treatment purchase usually produces several papers, and they rarely say exactly the same thing. There is the quote, the signed agreement or work order, the equipment spec sheet, the manufacturer's warranty card, the maintenance plan, and the final invoice. When two of them disagree, the one that controls is not always the one you read first. Decide that before you sign, because it is much harder to sort out after the equipment is installed.

List every document and label it

Make a short list of each paper you have been given or expect to receive. For each one, note who issued it and whether you have signed it or it is only a proposal. A signed quote and an unsigned quote can carry very different weight. Also note whether the warranty comes from the equipment maker, from the installer, or from both. Those are often separate promises with separate limits, and a single paper rarely covers both.

Find the order-of-precedence language

Look in the contract for a clause that says which document wins if they conflict. Many agreements include an entire agreement clause, which states that the written contract is the whole deal and that earlier quotes and verbal statements are not part of it. That clause matters if a salesperson promised something the paper does not repeat. Ask what it covers, and whether the quote's specifications and terms are restated in the contract or left out.

Match the model and specs across every paper

Compare the model number on the quote, the contract, the warranty card, and the equipment plate once the unit arrives. A model listed in one paper and a different model on the warranty card can leave you with coverage that does not match the unit in your home. Check capacity, media type, and any stated performance figure as well. If the spec sheet gives a number the contract does not repeat, ask which figure the contract is built on.

Check the warranty terms the papers leave out

Write down how long each part is covered, including the tank, valve, controller, and any parts that wear. Note who files the claim, who pays shipping on a replacement part, and whether labor is covered at all. If the quote says 'manufacturer warranty' without naming what that covers, ask for the actual warranty document in writing. Do not accept a general statement that coverage is 'standard' in place of the document itself.

Questions to ask before you sign

  • Which document controls if these papers conflict with one another?
  • Does the contract repeat the quote's specifications, or only the total price?
  • Is every promise the salesperson made in writing? If not, can it be added?
  • Who issues the warranty, and where is a claim filed?
  • Is the maintenance plan a separate contract, and does its renewal change anything in the warranty?
  • Does the quote expire, and what happens to the price after it does?

Fix conflicts in writing before work starts

If you find a conflict, do not sign and hope it turns out to be minor. Ask for a corrected version of the controlling document that names the model, the coverage terms, and the order of precedence. Keep every earlier version so you can show what was offered. A corrected paper is far easier to get before the crew arrives than afterward. If the wording still leaves you unsure what it means for your situation, a contract reviewer or attorney can explain the terms to you directly.

For how we check provider paperwork when we review companies, see our methodology page.