Laws vary from state to state, but the implied warranty of good and workmanlike repair of tangible goods or property attaches to a contract if the parties’ agreement does not provide for the quality of the services to be rendered or how such services are to be performed. And some courts have held that this implied warranty may not be waived or disclaimed.

Thus, the implied warranty of good and workmanlike repair or modification to tangible goods or property is a gap filler warranty that implies terms into a contract that fails to describe how the party or service is to perform. Although the parties cannot disclaim this warranty outright, an express warranty in their contract can fill the gaps covered by the implied warranty and supersede it if the express warranty specifically describes the manner, performance, or quality of the services.

The elements of a claim for breach of the implied warranty of good and workmanlike performance of services for the repair or modification of existing tangible goods or property are (1) the defendant sold services to the plaintiff; (2) the services involved the repair or modification of existing tangible goods or property; (3) the defendant failed to perform the services in a good and workmanlike manner; and (4) the defendant’s failure to perform the services in a good and workmanlike manner injured the plaintiff.

The term existing tangible goods refers generally to all moveable personal property other than money. The term repair means to restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken. The term “modification” broadly includes any change or alteration that introduces new elements into the details of the subject matter, or cancels some of them but leaves the general purpose and effect of the subject matter intact.

And the term good and workmanlike means that quality of work performed by one who has the knowledge, training, or experience necessary for the successful practice of a trade or occupation, and performed in a manner generally considered proficient by those capable of judging such work.

In Virginia, the concept of an implied warranty of good and workmanlike repair or modification to tangible goods or property serves as a default assurance that services will be performed competently and with a certain quality when a contract does not specify the standards or manner of performance. This implied warranty cannot typically be waived or disclaimed, ensuring that consumers are protected even in the absence of explicit contractual terms regarding the quality of services. If a service provider fails to perform repairs or modifications to existing tangible goods (movable personal property) in a manner that meets professional standards of skill and care, they may be in breach of this implied warranty. To establish a breach, a plaintiff must show that the defendant provided services involving repair or modification, that the services were not performed in a good and workmanlike manner, and that this failure resulted in harm to the plaintiff. While an express warranty can override the implied warranty if it specifically outlines the quality and performance standards, the implied warranty fills any gaps to ensure a minimum level of quality in the absence of such specific terms.