Roofing Warranty Basics
Any roofing project is a major investment, from extensive repairs to complete replacement. Because roofs should last several decades, manufacturers and Monmouth County roofing contractors place certain warranties on their products and workmanship. A 20- or 50-year warranty sounds fantastic, but it often has many details surrounding its use. It’s crucial for homeowners to understand warranty basics so it can be used if necessary.
Most warranties start with material coverage. From metal roofs to traditional shingles, any material has the potential for defects. If a homeowner suspects a defective roofing material, they must contact the manufacturer. Submitting installation documents is mandatory to ensure the product was attached correctly. If a defect is found, the warranty covers the parts only.
Warranty labor is always part of the contractor’s roofing contract. For example, there’s a contract section regarding terms of warranty length and maximum claim coverage. If the manufacturer deemed the product as defective, the contractor should cover their labor under warranty. Many times, contractors submit a warranty claim themselves to the manufacturer to gain their money back from a poor product.
To use any parts and labor warranty, there must be a paper trail. File all records of repairs, inspections and replacements. Homeowners need a strong argument when it comes to asking for warranty coverage on a large dollar value.
If there’s proof of quality installation and maintenance, the manufacturer often has no other recourse but to credit the customer parts’ costs.
Read the contractor’s roofing contract thoroughly before agreeing to it. Go over the warranty section closely. In many cases, contractors specify that they must work on a roof exclusively to cover any warranty labor. When multiple roofers work on a repair, it’s difficult to cover issues that may not be the main contractor’s fault. Follow all the contract’s rules to take advantage of any warranty coverage in the future. Costs can skyrocket if certain issues aren’t covered by the roofer or material manufacturer.
Inspect the roof with the contractor before they complete the project. An extra set of eyes may catch a torn or cracked shingle, for example. Starting with a strong roof installation may reduce the need to use warranty coverage at all, saving time for both homeowner and contractor.
If there is ever confusion over a manufacturer’s warranty, simply contact that company. These corporations usually have a warranty division to process the claims. They’ll be able to go over what is applicable to a particular situation. Warranties shouldn’t be confusing documents but helpful aids in times of need. Have a question regarding roof repairs or skylight installation? Ask a roofing professional from Fortified Roofing of Monmouth County NJ.
Common roofing term explained by Fortified Roofing of Monmouth County NJ:
Roofing contract
Legal agreement between contractor and client stipulating everyone’s rights and responsibilities. It includes the quote, payment terms and job description. The contract often lists even more details for complex repairs or replacement situations.
Monmouth County NJ roofing FAQ:
Does a homeowner need to hire a lawyer to sign a roofing contract?
Lawyers aren’t typically necessary for these simple legal agreements, but a homeowner’s comfort level may require one. If there’s confusion over wording, a lawyer is a helpful person to have on retainer. However, the roofer should be able to explain all the information with non-technical language to streamline the process.
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If you would like to ask a question regarding roofers, a new roof installation, roof leak repairs, skylight options or gutters and downspouts please contact Fortified Roofing today!
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