Fact:
Not all warranties are created equal.
Roofing system warranties are a big deal – especially when you’re protecting valuable assets. We recommend that you discuss all warranties and options provided by your roofing contractor to make sure your building is fully protected.
Here’s the problem: It’s common for businesses to think they’re getting guarantees on their roofing services with warranties. But unfortunately, the warranty coverage may only apply to materials used and does not include installation. If your roof was poorly installed and you experience problems, your material warranty is useless.
Here’s what you can do: Be sure you understand your warranty coverage options and seek the best protection for your business, building and assets. We offer an industry leading warranty that most companies can’t match.
Types of Warranties:
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Highly Recommended (Provides the Most Protection):
Manufacturer No Dollar Limit warranty that covers labor and material
These warranties are provided by the roofing system/material manufacturer. This warranty covers all material defects as well as labor/installation problems. The contractor must be an approved applicator of the roof system they are installing in order to offer this type of warranty and must follow strict guidelines specified by the roof system manufacturer in order to qualify for the warranty. Typically, a representative of the manufacturer will inspect the roof system after installation to approve that it’s been installed per the manufacturer’s requirements before providing the warranty.
This warranty would guarantee that your roof is covered if any problem occurs with the material or installation, and isn’t pro-rated. We highly recommend that clients have a Manufacturer No Dollar Limit Warranty for their new roof system.
Benton Roofing can offer a Manufacturer No Dollar Limit Warranty on every type of roof system we install.
This includes: single-ply membrane (TPO, PVC, EPDM), coatings, standing seam metal roof systems, asphalt shingles, built-up roof membranes, polymer modified bitumen sheet membranes, tile, slate and shake.
- Not Recommended: Warranty provided solely by your installer/contractor:
These warranties provide the least protection. They typically only cover the workmanship/labor of the roof and do not cover the material. These warranties are intended to protect the contractor and typically the contractor can cancel the warranty for multiple reasons. A warranty provided by your contractor is only as good as the terms the contractor provides you and in most all cases not backed up by the roofing system/material manufacturer.
Why these warranties are risky: As an example, if the company goes out of business so does your warranty, in the event your roof was damaged you must use the same contractor to repair the roof, these repair costs can be outrageously expensive. Choose not to use the same contractor for roof maintenance? Your warranty in most cases is cancelled.
Clients should at all costs avoid these types of warranties.
- Not Recommended: Material only warranty
These warranties are provided by the roofing system/material manufacturer. Odds of having a problem with the new material on your new roof system is very rare. This warranty would only cover the cost of material to repair the roof but would not cover the labor costs to repair it. Unfortunately, material only warranties do not provide coverage for leak repair costs.
We recommend to avoid this type of warranty as the sole warranty for your new roof system.
We often see buildings that have a roof that’s been installed incorrectly; the material is new and in great shape, but the installation is so poor that the roof has to be completely replaced. No one wants to be in this situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
(Click each question to learn more.)
Studies indicate that more than 95% percent of the problems that people experience with their new roofs are due to the contractor’s workmanship, not the roofing material. This is the most important distinction to keep in mind when deciding on warranty coverage. There are several different types of warranties you should discuss with your roofing contractor.
The odds of having a problem with the material on your new roof system is very rare but the cost if you do have a serious problem can be high. For the best protection for your building and assets we recommend a Manufacturer No Dollar Limit warranty.
This depends on the roofing contractor and who they’re certified with. Manufacturers have strict criteria when certifying a contractor and there are many roofing contractors that a roofing system/manufacturer will NOT certify.
This is a great question that clients should ask their contractor and discuss exclusions. Some exclusion examples are damage to your roof, ponding water, and acts of God.