14 April 2026 · 5 min read
Contractor warranty in Austria: deadlines and rights
Contractors must remedy defective work by law – but only if you know the deadlines. A practical guide to statutory warranty under Austrian law.
Three years of statutory warranty sounds reassuring. It is, as long as you know it starts running from the day of handover – not from the day you discover the defect.
Warranty vs. guarantee
Statutory warranty (§§ 922–933b ABGB) is a legal right: the contractor must remedy defective work or reduce the price, regardless of fault. A guarantee is a voluntary additional commitment. Both can apply simultaneously.
The limitation periods
Warranty periods in Austria
- Movable items (appliances, furniture): 2 years from handover
- Immovable works (structural, fixed fittings): 3 years from handover
- Period always starts at handover, not at discovery
Reversal of burden of proof
In the first 12 months after handover, the contractor must prove the defect did not exist at handover.
After 12 months, the burden shifts to you. Report defects early and in writing.
Mistakes that forfeit your rights
- Reporting defects after the limitation period has expired.
- Complaining only verbally with no written record.
- Paying the final invoice without reservation.
- Fixing the defect yourself before giving the contractor a chance to remedy it.
Never miss a warranty deadline
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