High-quality roofing is a must when purchasing a pre-owned property. It brings out the home’s beauty and provides essential protection against the elements. Sellers must provide documentation about the roof’s current state and age during the property’s open house. However, they won’t always tell you everything you need to know, so you should ask the right questions to ensure you know the important details about the roof.
Here are the top questions to ask before purchasing a home.
Questions to Ask Your Roofing Contractor
How Old Is the Roof?
An older roof has more issues than a newer one. It’s prone to structural issues and other problems caused by wear and hidden damage exacerbated by extreme weather events. Furthermore, an old roof requires higher insurance premiums. To know the roof’s age, ask the seller for any documentation proving the roof’s age, such as a warranty document or purchase receipt.
Did Your Roof Suffer From Damage Before?
Sellers must disclose any severe damage the roof has suffered before someone buys the property. Roofs that have been damaged in the past may have weaker integrity and concealed issues. Knowing the severity of the damage and the repairs and actions taken to improve the roof will give you an idea about the issues it could have in the future. You can also use this information to negotiate a lower price.
When Did You Last Inspect the Roof?
Regular roofing inspections and maintenance indicate that the roof was properly cared for. Routine maintenance from reputable roofing contractors means you don’t have to worry about hidden damage or unaddressed trouble spots that could worsen over time. That said, if the seller did not conduct regular roof maintenance, hire a roofer to find out its current condition.
Is the Roofing Warranty Transferable?
Transferable roofing warranties can be attractive for some buyers. It gives them peace of mind knowing that the roof is covered in case defects are discovered after some time. A transferable warranty is helpful, but a new roof without one is not necessarily a deal breaker. Since it’s new, it can still give you years of protection from the elements.
Nevertheless, you must verify if the roof was recently installed. Ask a local roofing contractor to inspect it to know its state and learn about its remaining lifespan.
Top Qualities of an Excellent Roofing Material
A damaged roof should drive down the cost of a property for sale. It’s only an encumbrance that will cost the next homeowner a significant amount to repair. That said, you can identify damaged and problematic roofs by learning the qualities of excellent roofing. Some of them are listed here:
Strength. A good roofing material should have superior durability. It can also have special features. For instance, GAF’s impact-resistant shingles can sustain minimal damage from ice pellets. The manufacturer also has roof replacement products with top-notch fire and algae resistance.
Algae resistance. Algae-resistant asphalt shingles will prevent microbial growth that eats away at roofs. Homeowners living in humid areas can benefit from GAF asphalt shingles made with StainGuard Plus™ technology, which helps prolong a roof’s lifespan and prevents mold growth.
Wind resistance. Wind-resistant asphalt shingles can withstand gale-force winds if installed by a qualified professional. For example, GAF’s Advanced Protection® Shingle Technology is resistant to strong winds during hurricanes. It is a roof replacement system that uses top-notch starter strips, high-quality roofing nails and additional features you won’t see on an average asphalt shingle roofing system.
Moisture resistance. Quality roofs have excellent resistance against heavy rainfall. New roofs are especially more water-resistant. However, they become more susceptible to leaks as they become old and worn down. A regular roof inspection can help you improve and monitor your roof’s performance.
Fire resistance. Fire-resistant asphalt shingles give more time for responders to arrive, prolong the property’s lifespan and allow the occupants to escape before the fire spreads. A Class A roofing material with outstanding flame-resistant capabilities is always a worthwhile investment. Just make sure you hire a reliable emergency roof repair contractor who can install the roof as the manufacturer intended.
What You Should Know About Transferring Roof Warranties
People who are buying a property with a new roof and a transferable warranty are lucky because the roof will continue to be covered after the change of ownership. To ensure you can get these benefits, you need to initiate the transfer within a specified period.
Here are a few more things you need to know about transferring roof warranties:
Warranty Coverage
Most roofing manufacturers allow warranty transfers with deductions based on the roof’s age. For instance, a roof over 10 years old will likely have huge warranty coverage deductions. On the other hand, people who bought a property with a transferable warranty for a new roof can still get full coverage.
Deadlines
All warranty transfers have a fixed period based on the closing of the property’s sale. For example, if you agreed to purchase the property, you might have two months to file for a warranty transfer. Fortunately, most roofing manufacturers have helpful representatives who can inform you about the warranty transfer deadline and if you have the option to adjust your schedule.
Ownership History
Establish your ownership with the roofing manufacturer. You can provide the following documents to establish yourself as the second owner of the property:
- Building permits
- Copy of the deed
- Sale closing documents
- Product installation date
- Product proof of purchase
- Original manufacturer documents
- Contractor agreement contract
To know the exact documents your manufacturer accepts to establish your ownership history, we suggest calling their representatives for a comprehensive list.
Warranty Type
One more important thing to know before transferring the warranty is identifying the type of warranty you have. Here are the common types of coverage provided by manufacturers:
- Limited warranty: This warranty provides benefits based on the roof’s wear and tear, coverage period, and the warranty’s disallowed costs. One example of disallowed costs is the roof installation or replacement labor costs involved if you have defective roofing.
- Lifetime warranty: This warranty provides the original owner of the home full warranty coverage. However, it is often non-transferable.
- Limited lifetime warranty: A limited lifetime warranty is a combination of the two types of warranties. It can provide full coverage for the original owner and additional stipulations, including an option to transfer it to a second owner.
LePage and Sons Roofing LLC is a GAF Master Elite® emergency roof repair and installation company that has helped numerous clients in the area. We’ve served the community for over 15 years, providing top-notch roofing systems that meet their needs. Call us at (508) 295-6483, or fill out this contact form to get a free quote.