What constitutes a flat roof warranty?

Franscat

I have had a flat roof installed on a small extension and as far as I can tell it has been well done. However, there is no warranty from the roofer other than his invoice saying that the work is guaranteed for 10 years. The invoice is just a Word file – nothing official whatsoever on it. I want to pursue him for a warranty both for my own peace of mind in case there are problems in the future and also because I need to show one to building control. But I’m not sure exactly what to ask him for – i.e. the elements that would constitute a valid warranty. Any suggestions would be very welcome, please.

Ebe_Scrooge

Ideally you want an insurance-backed warranty.  That way, if the trader goes out of business, their insurers will still honour any legitimate claims.

If it's not insurance-backed, then you at least need a detailed list of which elements of the job are covered.  And, probably more importantly, what is excluded.

Ectophile

Why would building control need a warranty?

It's a bit late to wait until after the work is finished to discuss what sort of warranty you're expecting.  The roofer can put as much flowery language in their warranty as they like, but it makes no real difference.  An insurance backed warranty will cost the roofer money, and they aren't going to agree to it unless you're willing to pay for it.

Franscat

Building control are involved because the flat roof is on a new extension. Because the distance from the boundary is less than 6 metres, they need some sort of certification from the roofer that the product achieves the appropriate fire safety rating and conforms to BS 476 part 3: 2004.

plumb1_2

If it’s a small independent roofer I would expect a warranty to be on the back of a fag packet.
Did you employ him or the builder?

MikeJXE

Franscat said:

Building control are involved because the flat roof is on a new extension. Because the distance from the boundary is less than 6 metres, they need some sort of certification from the roofer that the product achieves the appropriate fire safety rating and conforms to BS 476 part 3: 2004.

Thats something you should have asked for before the builder did the job, maybe he wouldn't have priced it then

Some people want top class and pay bottom dollar. His 10 year warranty is his word nothing more 

If it goes wrong he will fix it or not it depends on what it costs him 

Doozergirl

Franscat said:

Building control are involved because the flat roof is on a new extension. Because the distance from the boundary is less than 6 metres, they need some sort of certification from the roofer that the product achieves the appropriate fire safety rating and conforms to BS 476 part 3: 2004.

That's just supplying the product details from the manufacturer's website to show it has a B rating.  I've only had to provide that once with a new build because it was a metre from the boundary.  

Nothing to do with a warranty.  

Franscat

Ectophile said:

It's a bit late to wait until after the work is finished to discuss what sort of warranty you're expecting.          

MikeJXE said:

Thats something you should have asked for before the builder did the job

That's very helpful input, thank you. Yes in an ideal world, I wouldn't be. The main builder used a subcontractor, which wasn't the original plan. I'll discuss it with the main builder instead.