A roof is arguably one of the most important features of a building. A properly installed and well-maintained roof will prevent deterioration and the added expense from property loss. However as with every profession, there are trustworthy roofing contractors that install quality roof systems, along with those whom take advantage of others. Deciphering between the con artists and the honest roofers is not difficult, as long as you know the right questions to ask and where to turn for information. Here are some tips to help you avoid common commercial roofing scams:
- Go to your state contractor licensing board website in order to make sure that the roofer is properly licensed (Commercial Roofing and Sheet metal is BC-20,21 in Tennessee) and that the price they quoted does not exceed their license limit. The website in Tennessee is Verify.TN.Gov
- Ask the roofing contractor to provide you with a new Certificate of Insurance for each job. This will ensure that the policy was not canceled immediately after obtaining the certificate. To ensure the certificate of insurance is not fraudulent, make sure to call the insurance agent to verify.
- In order for a roofing contractor to be able to provide a Total System No Dollar Limit (NDL) Warranty, they must be an authorized contractor for that roofing manufacturer. Contact the proposed roofing manufacturer and verify that they are in fact certified. With these types of warranties, a roof inspection by the manufacturer is always required. Ask for a copy of the inspection report to prevent fraudulent warranties.
- Make sure you are receiving a Total System No Dollar Limit Warranty and not a Material Only Warranty. Material Only Warranties only cover defective material, not workmanship, and are provided free of charge to everyone.
- Obtain a workmanship warranty, in writing, to ensure any warranty claims are not denied due to poor workmanship and if any repairs are needed they will be provided at no cost to you.
- Read the warranty thoroughly and make sure there are no exclusions such as ponding water or require additional inspections halfway through the warranty period at your expense. Some manufacturers require these inspections in order to determine how the roof is aging and can actually cancel the warranty at that time. Furthermore, make sure the warranty is not prorated and you will actually receive the full amount of a warranty claim.
- Every warranty requires roof maintenance which can include anything from cleaning the roof annually, to clearing debris from roof drains.
- If a roof is under warranty, the roofing contractor that installed the roof system is required to make all repairs. If the roofing contractor is no longer in business, call the roof manufacturer to obtain the name of another authorized applicator. The manufacturer is to be notified if any additional penetrations are installed. If any repairs are made by a non-certified roofing contractor, the warranty will be voided.
In conclusion, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Working with a company that you trust can save you thousands of dollars in the long run by installing a quality roof that will last. Contact Medford Roofing at 901-324-4577 if you have any concerns about your commercial flat roof or would like a free estimate. We would be happy to walk you through the best options for you. You can also visit our website at www.medfordroof.com
