I agree, this is on the client.

Experiences similar to yours may have been the genesis of the phrase; No good deed goes unpunished.

GINA REID INTERIORS:

"Who is responsible here?"

Clients can have a very unrealistic "retail" version of who is responsible and what the remedies are. They are used to taking the item back to the store and getting their money back. Whereas that's not really reasonable in a remodel job.

It's your responsibility as the professional to define roles, what services you are providing, what are the limits of your responsibility, etc. Also know that when you blur those roles and responsibilities, it makes it hard to extricate yourself later. Indeed I think you blurred the roles and responsibilities quite a bit -- and that's why you are in this situation.

Legally, who is responsible for the leaky filler? Delta has a very clear warranty, I'm sure. Beyond that, I'm not sure. You received a fee for overseeing the project. Does "overseeing the project" include overseeing warranty issues and callbacks? Did you spell that out in your contract? If you didn't, why didn't you?

Either you are working as the GC, the homeowner is, or another party is. If you are working as the GC, you need to be clear about your role, what you are providing, and the limits of your liability. If you are simply a consulting designer and the homeowner is the GC, then you need to be clear about that up front. Don't mix those two roles.

If you are acting as the GC, then you need to have a markup on things that you supply (faucets), because you are going to have to deal with the callbacks and warranty issues.

Here's what I really think: I think you need to say to the client "Hey, I don't think I was as clear about my responsibilities as I should have been from the beginning. I am a consulting designer and my responsibility for this job stops when I have provided the agreed upon services and/or you have signed off on the completion of the job. However, I'm going to work with you to oversee this warranty issue. I'm not going to be responsible for the cost of the parts or labor, but I will facilitate this specific repair."

Note that this is a repeat client and that it sounds like you, as the professional, didn't spell out roles and responsibilities and at what point your role stops. You should take your lump and look at it as a cheap lesson (and hopefully retain the client).

Sounds like the flat fee with no cost markup model isn't working this time. Nobody said your job was easy. If you never want to see this repeat client again, turn it over to her. If you want her business in the future, work through the frustration and send her flowers when the leak is finally fixed.

It sounds like there may be a problem with the body of the faucet and not the cartridge. Brass bodies are easily eroded with water pressure. The slightest leak gets bigger and bigger.

Having said that, this is her fault for not picking a Moen faucet ;-) ...and your fault for not insisting she pick a Moen ;-) This is exactly why Moen is my only choice for a faucet. You could go to your grocery store, buy a handful of Moen cartridges for $30, and try one after the other until the leak stops. Can't do that with any other brand.

Anything the client purchases through you is your responsibility. Anything they purchase on their own is their responsibility even if you specify. Flat design fees, at least as I have them delineated, are good only until the delivery of drawings and specs. And I still charge an additional mark-up if I'm purchasing on their behalf. All of this is noted upfront. You can't be held responsible for defective goods; that's between the customer and the showroom she purchased it from. A good showroom would go to bat for her since it seems clear this faucet is a lemon.

What I find a little odd about this scenario is that it's a Delta, not a super high-end fixture. Not sure why the showroom is balking on getting Delta to replace it or giving her a refund. They're losing more money in manhours dealing with the back and forth than just making it go away.

You have no liability or responsibility. Delta warrants the tub filler, not you. The GC who contracted whom ever to install, is responsible to make it right. Every time you interject yourself - you are getting in deeper. Stop.

IMO, many of these 'contractors' and 'plumbers' don't read or follow instructions, and are in a hurry to leave. But that's not on you.

Be sure to include in your next contract that all items are warrantied by the manufacturer.

Geoffrey_b - our plumber had to come back THREE times (on his dime) to install our new Toto toilet properly because he wouldn't read the instructions. Dunno if he learned his lesson or not. I suspect not.