Do Taxidermists Offer Warranties on Their Work?
Many professional taxidermists offer a workmanship warranty on finished mounts, typically covering a period of one to two years from the pickup date. Taxidermists who offer formal warranties receive 15% higher customer satisfaction scores - not because mounts fail more often, but because the warranty signals confidence in the work and creates a more professional transaction.
A warranty on a taxidermy mount covers defects in the taxidermist's work: cracking hide caused by improper preparation, eye sets that loosen, paint or finish that flakes prematurely, or form filler that separates. These are quality control issues within the taxidermist's control.
TL;DR
- Most professional taxidermists offer a limited warranty on finished mounts, typically one to three years.
- Warranty coverage usually addresses manufacturing defects and workmanship issues, not customer handling damage.
- Your warranty policy should be stated clearly in the intake paperwork.
- A warranty is a competitive differentiator that signals confidence in your own work quality.
- Warranty claims for pre-existing damage documented at intake are not valid claims against your workmanship.
What Is Not Covered
Environmental damage is the customer's responsibility, not the taxidermist's. Mounts hung in direct sunlight will fade. Mounts stored or displayed in humid spaces - basements, unfinished cabins - can grow mold or experience hide degradation regardless of how well they were prepared. A mount knocked off the wall and broken is not a manufacturing defect.
Your warranty documentation should make this distinction clear. A written warranty that spells out what is and isn't covered actually protects you more than it costs you, because it defines the boundaries of your responsibility upfront.
Written warranties at pickup reduce quality dispute incidents by 40%. When customers have a physical document that explains what their warranty covers, they're less likely to bring in a sun-faded mount two years later and argue that the fade is your fault.
How to Offer a Warranty
Keep it simple. A one-page document at pickup that covers:
- The warranty period (typically 12-24 months from pickup date)
- What's covered (workmanship defects)
- What's not covered (environmental damage, physical damage, pest damage)
- How to make a warranty claim (contact you, bring the mount in for inspection)
Attach the warranty document to the customer's invoice. In MountChief's invoicing system, you can include warranty terms as a standard footer on the invoice, so every customer automatically receives the same information.
You don't need a lawyer to draft a basic workmanship warranty. Clear, plain language works better than legal jargon for a taxidermy transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a taxidermy mount warranty cover?
A taxidermy workmanship warranty covers defects caused by the taxidermist's work: cracking or shrinking hide that results from improper preparation or tannery processing, loose or improperly set glass eyes, paint or finish that fails prematurely, or structural issues with the form or form filler. It does not cover environmental damage such as fading from sunlight exposure, mold growth from humidity, pest damage from moths or dermestid beetles in the customer's home, or physical damage from mishandling or dropping. A good warranty document distinguishes between these clearly so both parties understand the scope of coverage from the day the mount is picked up.
How long should a taxidermist warranty their work?
One to two years from the pickup date is the professional standard. A one-year warranty is common for standard shoulder mounts and covers the period during which any legitimate workmanship issue will typically become apparent. Two-year warranties are offered by some taxidermists as a premium service differentiator. Longer warranties are uncommon because it becomes difficult to distinguish between workmanship issues and environmental damage over time. The key is that whatever period you offer, it's documented in writing at pickup so there's no ambiguity about whether a defect is covered when the customer contacts you.
Who is responsible if a mount falls off a wall and breaks?
The customer is responsible for physical damage caused by improper hanging, accidents, or mishandling after pickup. A mount that falls because it was hung with inadequate hardware or an improperly located wall anchor is not covered under a workmanship warranty. This is worth mentioning verbally at pickup and including in your written warranty terms. You can add value as a service by recommending the proper hanging hardware for each mount based on its weight - this reduces the chance of the situation occurring and positions you as a knowledgeable professional.
What does a taxidermy mount warranty typically cover?
A standard taxidermist warranty covers workmanship issues including hide separation from the form, eye loosening, ear problems, and finish deterioration that are attributable to the mounting process rather than the customer's handling. It does not cover damage from environmental factors like direct sunlight, high humidity, or physical damage after delivery. The warranty period is typically one to three years.
Do I have to offer a warranty?
There is no legal requirement to offer a warranty, but doing so demonstrates confidence in your work and gives customers an additional reason to choose your shop over a competitor. Most professional shops offer some form of warranty. Shops that do not typically compensate by pricing very competitively.
How should I handle a warranty claim?
Review the mount and the original intake documentation to assess whether the issue is a workmanship problem covered by the warranty or damage attributable to post-delivery handling or environmental factors. If it is a covered workmanship issue, repair or address it without charge. If it is not covered, explain why and offer to address it at a service charge. Handle every warranty claim professionally regardless of the outcome; the customer's perception of how you handle problems matters as much as the outcome.
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- What Records Must Michigan Taxidermists Keep for Deer?
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Sources
- National Taxidermists Association (NTA)
- Breakthrough Magazine
- Small Business Administration (SBA)
Get Started with MountChief
A clear warranty policy backed by complete intake documentation protects you and demonstrates professionalism to every customer. MountChief captures condition notes and photos at intake that are the foundation of any valid warranty assessment. Try MountChief to build the records that support your quality guarantee.