Roofing contractors that offer workmanship warranties on their projects can often use that to their advantage at the kitchen table or boardroom with customers. But they might not have the proper documentation needed to carry the case through all the way.

“You want to have a separate document that goes through what you are providing and what you’re not providing,” RC Legal Insights expert Trent Cotney said in this brief video chat with RC Publisher Jill Bloom.

The documentation not only covers certain limitations and maintenance obligations, but it can become important should the property change owners.

“Do you want to extend that warrant to the new owner?” asked Cotney, a partner with Adams and Reese. “Regardless of what you want to do, you need to spell it out in the warranty, because if you don’t say anything … it might be assumed that it is transferable.”

For some contractors, where you’re located may dictate your options. Cotney said several states have statues about transferability.

Cotney also breaks down the necessary factors to win the most common defense to citations issued by the Occupational Health Safety Administration (OSHA).

Get more details by viewing the full conversation here, or visit our podcast page and download the episode to listen to it anywhere.