Roof Talks

Alternatives to Commercial Roof Replacements

Jeff Gerwig, National Engineering Manager at Colliers International, partners with Fortis Warranty to ensure client assets run efficiently to support occupant comfort. Colliers’ master service agreement with Fortis helps clients save on roofing costs. If Gerwig can prevent a client from replacing a roof too early, it provides cost savings. So, Colliers uses an assessment tool to help their customers assess their roof and determine the right options.

Roofing Industry Warranty Agreements: The Devil is in The Details

Rick Lewis [https://marketscale.com/industries/contributors/rick-lewis/], President & CEO of Fortis Warranty [https://fortiswarranty.com/], gave host Tyler Kern an upfront and honest look at the state of roofing industry warranty agreements. Long-term warranty strategies seem to be the trend amongst industry competitors, according to Lewis. “At least in the commercial roofing space, we’re seeing warranties upward of 30 years,” Lewis said. There are even some instances of longer terms. But as Lewis warned, the devil is in the details to understand what is in that warranty contract. Are there exceptions and exclusions that make that warranty not as valuable as first thought? One type of warranty that feels like a freebie is the material-only warranty Lewis said is popular with many roofing manufacturers. This type of warranty may help the manufacturer get around UCC liabilities, but is it providing the buyer with the right protection level? Lewis stressed the importance of understanding the roofing warranty document. “That document is pretty critical from the standpoint of a consumer in terms of these commercial roofs. You do need to dig into the details of these one-to-three-page documents. What’s included in these pages are substantial advantages for the seller over the buyer of this product.” What does Lewis think makes a difference for the commercial roofing industry? Fortis warranties do not include a UCC disclaimer requirement, which gives power back to the buyer. Fortis warranties contain limited exclusions compared with standard manufacturer’s warranties, and they are transferrable, which provides needed flexibility when a selling a building.

How Retailers Can Protect Their Roofing Investment

With the many financial concerns big-box retailers face due to the pandemic, the last thing they want to do is spend money on roof repairs due to leaks or performance issues. Cara Reynolds [https://marketscale.com/industries/contributors/cara-reynolds/], Strategic Account Manager at Fortis Warranty [https://fortiswarranty.com/], provided some tips for these retailers on saving money and protecting their roofing investment. Roofing tends to be an out of sight, out of mind issue, Reynolds said. “Roofing issues tend to build up, and then [retailers] have more roofs that need to be taken care of than they have dollars, and that can become a big issue for a lot of their locations," she said. And an issue such as a roof leak isn’t just a repair concern for retailers. “When you have a roof leak or bad roof, there’s the risk of slip and falls in the stores, merchandise getting damaged, as well as the possibility of damaged or falling ceiling tiles,” Reynolds said. “Stores need to get it fixed fast.” Fortis’ goal is to extend the roof life of retail stores for as long as possible. Their warranties include re-roofing, covering normal wear and tear and maintaining the roof, so stores don’t have to continually reach into their pockets to make fixes or face the cost of an untimely roof replacement. “If there are any roofing issues once it's under our warranty, it’s one call to Fortis, and we get out there and get it taken care of,” Reynolds said.

How Solar Power Brings Benefits to Commercial Roofs with Mike Healy

Solar power, particularly on the roofs of commercial buildings, is obviously a way to promote sustainability – but what other benefits and incentives exist for companies looking to make the switch? On this episode of Rook Talks, a Fortis Warranty podcast, New Columbia Solar [https://newcolumbiasolar.com/] CEO Mike Healy [https://marketscale.com/industries/contributors/mike-healy/] joined Voice of B2B Daniel Litwin [https://marketscale.com/industries/contributors/daniel-litwin/] to break down exactly what commercial operations can expect from going solar. New Columbia Solar is the largest solar developer in Washington D.C., bringing solar energy to buildings across the spectrum, from commercial and industrial spaces to multi-family, non-profit and faith-based properties. In D.C., incentives for solar installation are aimed at helping the district achieve 100%-clean power by 2032 and include sellable solar renewable energy credits that allow companies like New Columbia to receive capital in return to be used to finance solar systems, among other incentives. Opportunities also exist for building owners to leverage solar roofing in renovations, Healy said. “Any time that you’re looking at a roof replacement, you should be looking at solar at the same time,” he said. “The two should be conceived of together. It makes everything a lot easier and less costly. … If you have a building where you’re using the electricity within that building, meaning you’re operating that building and consuming power from within that building, you should absolutely be looking at using solar. It’s likely going to reduce your electricity costs.”

Roofing Solutions for the Property and Casualty Insurance Industry with Rick Lewis

When a storm damages a business’s roof, does this automatically trigger a roof replacement? For the property owner, the cost of the roof protection policy and deductibles often mean replacing the entire roof is the only choice. Rick Lewis [https://marketscale.com/industries/contributors/rick-lewis/], president and CEO of Fortis Warranty [https://fortiswarranty.com/], believes there are better, more cost-effective options available. Lewis said that with the current P&C (property and casualty) model, it is unsustainable from the carrier end to assume roof damage risk. Policyholders don’t have the cash to replace roofs every two years. “Fortis believes we are in a unique position to satisfy the need and to fill that gap in the market where the policyholder is essentially self-insured,” Lewis said. “We’ve got an option for them that would save them approximately 60-70% of a full roof replacement.” Lewis pointed out there is little difference between the defect characteristics between a storm-damaged roof and an aged roof. An extended warranty and roof conditioning approach could save a property owner money in not having to replace a roof prematurely. The approach to determining a roof’s longevity and repair need starts with a process in the lab. With industry research showing that a roof’s longevity, under the right conditions, will last beyond manufacturer’s 15-20-year recommendation, Fortis commits to an approach that gets the policyholder the most out of their roof without unnecessary replacements. “We use lab testing and our processes to identify the requirements to bring any roof defects up to performing condition,” Lewis said.