Why Are Roofing Warranties Important?

Is your roof protected by a great warranty? If not, you’re putting your financial future at risk. Replacing a damaged roof isn’t a cheap home repair. Depending on the size, the pitch, and the type of roofing materials used, roof replacement can soar well into the five-figures. Don’t count on your homeowner’s insurance to cover all these costs either. When it comes to acts of nature like windstorms, hail, snow, and lightening, your insurance kicks in. This isn’t the case when you’re faced with a roof defect. That’s why you need to make sure you have a superior roof warranty.

Don’t All Roof Materials Come With a Warranty?

The fact that your roof has a warranty isn’t the point. Yes, most roof materials come with a warranty. However, you want to make sure your purchase is adequately protected for many years. A five-year warranty isn’t sufficient. No one replaces their roof every five years. The average roof, barring any weather-related damage, lasts as long as 20 years. Your warranty should last twice as long.

Roof Risks and Warranty - Why Are Roofing Warranties Important

Roof Risks and Warranty

The warranty on your roof protects you from accidents that could damage it. For example, if the new roof you have installed on your home has a fault or defect originating from the manufacturing stage, then you’ll have to pay out of your pocket to repair that. If you have a warranty though, you won’t pay a single dime.

What Does a Roof Warranty Cover?

What Does a Roof Warranty Cover - Why Are Roofing Warranties Important

Knowing what your warranty covers is just as important as how many years of coverage you receive. Great roof warranties provide the following coverages:

Material defects: You need a roofing system that is built strong to take numerous lashings from Mother Nature and other harsh outdoor elements. If a roof begins to show early signs of wear and tear, this affects things such as your home’s energy efficiency and comfort. An excellent manufacture warranty goes into action in these situations and covers material defects due to premature wear and tear.

Long coverage: When purchasing shingles, not all warranties are equal. Whereas a 25-year warranty is fine for 3-Tab shingles, that won’t cut it for dimensional shingles. Dimensional shingles require a 50-year warranty for the best protection.

Insure against poor workmanship: Roof needs repair every once and a while for minor things. Maybe you need shingles replaced because a few started to warp. Or, perhaps the flashing popped up and needs to be nailed back down. Although these are straightforward repairs, sometimes repairs go wrong and compromise the integrity of the roof. Sometimes the wrong people install the new roof and problems start showing up a couple years down the line. Superior warranties protect homeowners who have been the victims of poor workmanship or installation.

Peace of Mind

The roof is arguably one of the most expensive parts of the home to replace and repair. The last thing you want is to spend a hefty sum on a new roof that with a defect or fault from the manufacturing stage. Warranties are peace of mind that whatever happens, your new roof system is protected and insured.

Work With a Leading Roofing Contractor

When you’re ready to replace your roof, only work with reputable roofing contractors who warrant their work and use roofing materials that come with excellent warranties. While many roofing companies warrant their workmanship, that warranty is only as good as long as the company stays in business. If the company goes under, your warranty protection disappears. This is why it’s always a good idea to make sure your material warranty covers installation problems.

4 Reasons You Should Only Work With an Insured Roofer

The roof is one of the prominent home features that keep the family and property protected from various outdoor elements. Therefore, homeowners need to hire a roofer who is not only skilled, certified, and experienced but also insured.

Roofing is not a simple, straightforward job. It involves a considerable amount of risk, which should not be neglected while looking for the right contractor. Whether the home roofing project is big or small, hiring an insured roofer will save time and money and ensure a safe, high-quality installation.

Before signing any contract with a roofer, homeowners should look at the proof of valid workers’ compensation and general liability insurance. They help safeguard the homeowner’s interest if a mishap or an untoward incident occurs during the roofing project.

IMPORTANCE OF HIRING AN INSURED ROOFER

Roofing Contractor - 4 Reasons You Should Only Work With an Insured Roofer

Here are several reasons that highlight the need for working with an insured roofer for the next roofing project:

1. PROTECTS FROM BEING HELD LIABLE FOR WORKER INJURY

Roofing work is not free from hazards. Even the most experienced roofer can misjudge situations and accidentally fall from the ladder or injure themselves with a hammer while installing shingles. When the roofer has worker’s compensation insurance, it will cover all the medical or lost wages expenses if any roofer gets injured or falls sick while working. It also offers assistance to the worker’s family if the injury proves to be fatal. If the roofer is not insured, the homeowner can be held responsible and might end up paying all the injury recovery costs.

2. COVERS ANY ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE CAUSED TO THE PROPERTY

Roofing involves the use of heavy-duty tools and materials. If a contractor accidentally drops a tile from the roof height, it can severely injure anyone standing beneath or damage the floor tiles, window, or a parked car. When a roofer makes any error while installing or repairing a roof and damages any nearby structure, the general liability insurance will cover it. It protects the homeowner from paying for any accidental property damage or injury to a non-worker during the roofing project.

3. BUILDS TRUST AND CREDIBILITY

When a homeowner looks for a roofer, they want someone who can be trusted with what is considered the most expensive home improvement project. A roofer with adequate insurance indicates that they are legitimate, take their work seriously, and stand behind the team. It keeps the homeowner stress-free.

Usually, general liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance cover bodily injury, property damage, personal injury, medical payments, advertising injury, and wage replacement. Not all roofing contractors have the same insurance. Factors like the kind of work a roofer does and the state in which they operate govern the type of policy they have.

4. THEY SOLVE PROBLEMS IMMEDIATELY

In some situations, the damage to the home needs immediate temporary repairs. If a tree branch created a hole in the roof, you need a contractor who can apply emergency solutions to stop water from entering the home. The roofing contractor with insurance experience can do this.

They can document the problem immediately for insurance purposes. Then, they provide specific solutions to shore up the issue until insurance approves the claim for repair. This minimizes further damage to your home.

CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY

Roof Insurance Company - 4 Reasons You Should Only Work With an Insured Roofer

Once you find a roofer you trust and feel is right for the job, contact your insurer. Be sure they agree with the contractor selected. Most insurers will not approve any contractor that lacks certification, insurance, and bonding.

COMMUNICATE WITH THE INSURER

Your insurer may wish to discuss the project with the roofer one-on-one. This is not common. However, the best roofing contractors understand the insurance world is complex and are willing to share information and guidance with your insurance company. That makes the process much easier for you.

THEY WORK TO GET THE JOB DONE

Some insurers require documentation of the completed project. They may require a formal inspection to ensure the work is complete. The contractor can work closely with the insurer to make sure this is on-spec.