ratedBuildR Damages Policy
ratedBuildR Damages Policy
Last Updated: October 13, 2025
This Damages Policy is governed by and incorporates the ratedBuildR Shop Agreement and ratedBuildR Shipping Policy. ratedBuildR is committed to working with you to promptly address any product damage that occurs during shipment, provided the following procedures are strictly followed.
- Critical Inspection Upon Delivery – MANDATORY
Your responsibility to inspect your order upon delivery is the most critical step in the damage claim process. As outlined in our Shipping Policy, you MUST inspect the shipment for any visible damage or missing items before the delivery driver leaves.
- Notate the Delivery Receipt: You must make a specific, detailed note of any damage or shortage on the Proof of Delivery (POD) / Bill of Lading (BOL) receipt provided by the driver before signing.
- Be Specific: Vague notes like “Subject to Inspection” or “Possible Damage” are not acceptable and will result in the denial of your claim. Your notes must be specific (e.g., “Box #3 has crushed corner,” “Crate is broken on the north side,” “One glass panel has a visible 6-inch crack”).
- Driver Won’t Wait? If the driver is unwilling or unable to wait for you to complete a thorough inspection, you must still write on the delivery receipt: “Possible concealed damage; driver would not wait for inspection.” This is necessary to protect your ability to file a claim later.
Failure to properly notate the delivery receipt at the time of delivery will be considered an acceptance of the product in good and complete condition and will result in the immediate denial of any future damage claim.
- How to File a Damage Claim
If you have discovered damage and have correctly noted it on the delivery receipt, you must notify ratedBuildR Customer Care within 48 hours of the delivery time. To initiate a claim, you must email all of the following required documentation to Office@ratedBuildR.com:
- Your Order Number
- A copy or clear photo of the signed Proof of Delivery (POD) / Bill of Lading (BOL)clearly showing the notes you made about the damage.
- Clear Photographs of the Damage: You must provide several high-quality photos in JPEG or PDF format.
- Best Practices for Photos: Include a wide shot showing all the damaged items together, clear close-up shots of the specific damage on each item, and photos of the packaging, including the shipping label. Multiple angles are required.
- A Detailed List and Description of Damaged Items: Indicate the total quantity of damaged pieces or boxes, the product name/SKU, and a description of the damage for each item.
Please inspect your entire order before filing a claim. We can only process one (1) freight claim per order. Incomplete submissions will delay the processing of your claim.
- After a Claim is Filed
- Confirmation: You will receive an email from ratedBuildR confirming that we have received your claim documentation.
- Do Not Discard Anything: You MUST NOT discard, alter, or install any of the damaged material or original packaging. The shipping carrier has the right to perform a physical inspection of the damaged goods. Discarding or altering the items or packaging before the claim is fully resolved will result in the automatic denial of your claim.
- Resolution: We will work with the freight carrier to process the claim. Once the claim is approved, we will, at our sole discretion, either arrange for a replacement to be sent to you at no additional cost or issue a refund for the damaged items.
- Concealed Damage
If you noted “Possible concealed damage” on the delivery receipt and discover damage after unpacking, you must still report it to us with full documentation within 48 hours of delivery. Claims for concealed damage are handled on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed, as the carrier may deny liability. The most effective way to ensure your claim is approved is to inspect for and note all visible damage at the time of delivery.
- Installed Merchandise
As stated in our Return Policy, once a product has been installed, it cannot be returned or claimed as damaged. Installation constitutes full and final acceptance of the product. You are responsible for inspecting all products thoroughly for any defects, finish issues, or damage prior to installation. ratedBuildR is not responsible for any costs related to the removal or reinstallation of damaged products that were installed, nor for any project delays or labor costs.
- Limitation of Liability
The purchaser agrees to accept all shipments with the distinct understanding that our liability does not exceed the invoice value of the merchandise shipped. In no event shall ratedBuildR be liable under any legal theory (including but not limited to contract, negligence, or strict liability) for any indirect, special, incidental, consequential, or exemplary damages (including but not limited to lost profits, lost labor costs, or project delays) arising from damaged merchandise. Our sole obligation shall be limited to the repair or replacement of the defective product, at our discretion.
Please inspect your entire order before filing a claim, as we can only file one claim per order.
Email all required documentation to Office@ratedBuildR.com. You will receive an email from ratedBuildR to confirm when all information has been received. If you have questions, please contact our Customer Care team.
DO NOT DISCARD any of the damaged material or original packaging until you are explicitly advised to do so by a ratedBuildR representative.