Commercial Roof Warranty Transfer 101

By John Feider, CIT

In today’s economic landscape, commercial real estate owners must use every tool available to protect the value of their facilities.  One such tool that is often overlooked or mismanaged during a real estate acquisition is the existing roof warranty. Transferring an existing warranty ensures that your roof remains covered under manufacturer protections, preventing the risk of unexpected repair costs.

Given that a commercial roof replacement can cost $8 to $15 per square foot or more, depending on the structure and materials, roof warranties can save tens or even hundreds of thousands in potential roof expenses. So why would a buyer leave that kind of money on the table by failing to transfer the warranty?

Misconceptions About Roof Warranty Transfer

Many buyers do not understand how the transfer process works or underestimate the effort required to complete it. First, transfers are time-sensitive; most must be completed within 30 days of closing. Some buyers assume the seller handles the transfer, but that is not usually the case.

The transfer process is more complex than it looks. Every roof manufacturer has different forms, contacts, and transfer timelines. Some require roof inspections or repair documentation, while others may reject late or incomplete submissions outright. One missed step can void the warranty, so it’s important to handle the details of the transfer correctly.

Getting Help with a Commercial Roof Warranty Transfer

An experienced roof consultant, such as Partner, can handle the transfer of an existing roof warranty, often in the context of the acquisition due diligence process. Compared to the value of the warranty, the fee associated with roof warranty transfer is nominal.

Of course, it is possible to handle warranty transfer using in-house resources, but your internal team may need to dedicate significant resources to researching and fulfilling warranty requirements, contacting manufacturers, and submitting transfer requests. By outsourcing this process to experts, your team can remain focused on higher-value operational tasks.

Because Partner has completed many warranty transfers for all major commercial roofing manufacturers, we understand each manufacturer’s criteria and process. Our team ensures that all required documentation is correctly submitted the first time, preventing costly errors or missed deadlines that could void warranty coverage. Furthermore, should the roof require repair or repair documentation before the transfer, Partner’s strong, reciprocal relationships with roofing contractors mean that contractors are often more responsive to our coordination needs during the transfer process.

Roof Warranties and Portfolio Transactions

Portfolio transactions are complicated enough without worrying about transferring each roof warranty. When multiple properties are changing hands, it is imperative to use a qualified consultant to handle the transfer of all existing roof warranties. Partner regularly handles multi-property warranty transfers for portfolio acquisitions.

Multi-property portfolio transfers often involve different manufacturers across properties. Each of these manufacturers will have unique transfer requirements, including timelines, fees, and inspection needs. Partner can track these varying requirements and ensure coordinated communication with multiple manufacturer representatives. We have the internal tools and workflows to manage these projects efficiently and deliver timely results across the portfolio.

Protect Your Commercial Roof Warranty

Commercial roof warranty transfer isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about strategic risk management and operational efficiency. Skipping a warranty transfer unnecessarily exposes a buyer to financial risk and operational strain. By transferring your warranty through Partner, you:

• Protect your investment from major roofing expenses.
• Save time by leveraging our expertise in the warranty transfer process.
• Avoid administrative burdens and manufacturer-specific complexities.
• Ensure compliance with manufacturer policies, preventing coverage loss.
• Keep your internal team focused on core business priorities.

For more details or to get help with transferring a commercial roof warranty, contact your Partner representative. If you’re new to Partner, click here and we’ll connect you with someone who can help.