Out of Warranty Issues

If we're "in the area" we'll swing by and take a look. Normally if there is a problem or issue it's because they added gutters, siding, skylights or some other BS thing. We don't charge for the first call but after that it's $75 for the gas to get there and it's printed right in their warranty so they can't say they didn't know about it.

JET>>>

I have found that when you have done a new roof, that if there is any likelihood that it will leak-such a leak will generally occur within the first eighteen months of having been installed. Here in Oregon, by law, you must warranty unconditionally, your labor for one year. Like I just wrote-common sense & the law concur almost perfectly on this issue.

But we have had issues that arise that can be fixed with either little material cost and very little labor so I do not charge for those leak issues that occur within the first five years of having been installed. Anything that falls out of the seven to ten year range might be charged out depending upon circumstances and any item outside of the ten to fifteen year range is definitely charged for unless it can be pinned on the manufacturers' warranty against material defect. And that is how we run on this particular issue.>>>

It's slowed down now, but I still get an occasional "warranty" service call regarding broken tile on roofs up to 12 years old ( hardly ever an interior leak involved). The last one was on a five year old job. Part of the homeowner's confusion is that the tile itself is touted as a 50 year roof and they assume that means labor too. Another aspect is of course that they'd rather not pay for the repair. I must have a couple hundred pics of satellite dishes, added patios, Christmas lights, etc. which were the cause of roof traffic and broken tile, yet many will deny that anyone has been on the roof. If I think they are going to be difficult about paying I won't respond.>>>

I am wondering, when you give a warranty, is it in writing or verbal? If in writing, is it specified to be a "workmanship warranty" or do you just type warranty?

If you are offering an all encompassing warranty, you are covering every possible problem, even material failure that the manufacturer may not cover. If you are offering a workmanship warranty then you are liable for problems stemming only from the workmanship of the project.

We have had many calls in the past few weeks about shingle blow off due to high sustained winds. While the homeowners insurance will cover anything above the deductible, most of the time it is only a handful of shingles that have come off and the cost to repair is below the deductible. Of course once you tell the homeowner that, many of them have insisted that this should be covered under their workmanship warranty.

Sometimes you just have to be firm and say NO. We have worked 3 crews for nearly 2 weeks just fixing wind damage. If we had just "gone and fixed it", we would be footing the bill for payroll. Not a good thing!

You can't be shy about letting the customer know that their warranty has either expired or is not valid for the problem at hand. If they are elderly and just can't afford it, offer a Senior Discount or Payment Plan. If you start out to charge them $150. for the repair - discount it to $120 (20% off) and offer them a payment plan of $20.00 a month. Sure, it will take you 6 months to be paid in full but at least you will be paid.

If you really want to give your time and services away - CALL ME - I can put you to work for free!>>>

I do it, but they are given a Customer Satisfaction form to fill out and I casually request that they mention that I did come out to repair a leak, even though the roof was out of warranty.

In one case, it was a hole eaten through just the ridge cap shingles by racoons, but referrals and tesimonials are golden.

Ed>>>

Must be nice Vaa! If i did all the work myself i could say the same but we have had dozens of different people perform over 1,000 roof replacements and 3,000 repairs in the last 5 years. So there are many opportunites for leaks out there.>>>