Often when investing in a new roof system you are faced with many different warranty options, but what do they all mean? Most litigation issues in buildings come from water migration issues so the correct warranty can be critical.
Many contractors tell you their warranty is superior but is it? A manufacturers warranty can be very different from a No Dollar Limit Labor and Materials Warranty from a manufacturer.
First your warranty should be from a reputable manufacturer. The manufacturer should manufacture their materials, have a track record and be able to back their warranty. Does the warranty have exclusions? Does the warranty exclude ponding water, if so is ponding water defined? Is the warranty pro-rated? Does the warranty include any additional riders for punctures, reflectivity or energy efficiency? Does the warranty cover the complete roof system and all it’s components? Is the contractor certified by the manufacturer to install a warranted system? Most warranties require ongoing maintenance or inspections does yours?
SiliconX Construction uses only factory certified roofing contractors. Look for 10 – 30 year warranties depending on the system specified. The warranties typically offered are No Dollar Limit Labor and Materials Warranties. These warranties include repair or replacement costs for the labor and materials for the life of the warranty and are not pro-rated. Roof systems we typically install include a fee that is paid to the manufacturer to cover your warranty costs. In many instances the manufacturer will inspect the roof system after it is installed to insure standards when the warranty is requested.
The difference between a NDL warranty and a materials warranty can be drastic. If you installed a new $40,000 roof today with a 20 year NDL warranty in 10 years your warranty would be worth the cost of the replacement of the roof $40,000 or more. If you installed the same roof with a materials warranty only the top membrane cost or about $4,000 would be covered and in 10 years the warranty would be worth about $2,000. So you can see that paying a little more up front for a NDL warranty will pay you many times over in the long run.
SiliconX Construction works with best-in-class vendors to make sure the warranty for your roof limits your liability and is best for your goals regarding your building. If you have an existing roof system, we can also ensure your warranty remains intact through proper maintenance and inspections. Contact us today at 408.520.2450.
Thanks to our partner Platinum Roofing for the content of this article.