How to be sure you’re getting genuine Colorsteel

When you’re building or renovating, there are plenty of decisions that homeowners rightly leave to the experts. You rely on your architect to specify the right materials, your builder to follow the plans and your roofer to install everything correctly. But when it comes to your roof, there’s one thing worth checking for yourself: exactly what product is being installed.

Longrun roofing products can look remarkably similar when they are new, yet, as this series has explored, differences in coatings, testing, durability and warranty protection can become significant over time. So how can homeowners be confident that the product they have chosen is actually the one being installed?

Start by asking what’s specified

It is easy to assume that what has been specified is automatically what arrives on site, but materials can change during a project and homeowners may not always be aware that a substitution has been made.

“That’s why it’s worth having the conversation early,” says Victoria Elvin, Head of Business Development & Specification for Colorsteel.  “If you want genuine Colorsteel, make sure everyone involved in the project understands that from the outset and that it is clearly documented.”

The simplest place to start is with the building specification and contract. Rather than referring generally to “longrun roofing” or “colour steel roofing”, homeowners can ask for genuine Colorsteel to be named specifically. This creates a clear record of what has been agreed and gives the architect, builder, supplier and roofer the same point of reference.

It is also worth speaking directly with the people involved in the build. A homeowner who wants to be certain of their choice can tell both their builder and roofer that genuine Colorsteel is important to them, then ask how they will confirm the product supplied matches the specification.

For a roofer, these questions are straightforward and can help prevent confusion before the material reaches the site.

Ask for the paperwork

Being an informed buyer does not mean second-guessing the professionals working on your home. It means understanding what you are investing in and keeping a record of it.

Insisting on genuine Colorsteel in writing and asking for documentation confirming the product -   this could be a New Zealand Steel material warranty which is applied for on project completion, provides a much greater sense of certainty about the investment you have made in your roof.

“Homeowners shouldn’t feel that asking these questions is being difficult,” says Victoria. “You’re making a significant investment in your home, so it’s reasonable to want to know exactly what material is being installed and what protection comes with it.”

There are three useful checks homeowners can make. First, look at the wording of the contract or specification and make sure genuine Colorsteel is identified rather than simply a generic steel roofing product. Second, ask your builder or roofer for documentation confirming the product being supplied. Finally, request the New Zealand Steel Colorsteel warranty documentation and keep it with the other records for your home.

That paperwork can become particularly valuable years down the track. It provides a record of what was installed and the warranty attached to it, while also giving future owners greater certainty if the property is sold.

“Documentation is important because a roof is expected to perform for many years,” explains Victoria. “It gives homeowners something they can refer back to if there is ever a question about the product, and it can also be useful when a property changes hands.”

A small step that protects a big investment

The best time to have these conversations is before the roofing arrives on site. If an architect or designer has specified a particular Colorsteel product, check that it has been carried through into the construction documentation and contract. If you are working directly with a builder or roofer, ask them what product they intend to use and how you can confirm it is genuine.

Once the roof is installed, keep the product and warranty information with the rest of your house documentation.

Ultimately, homeowners do not need to become roofing experts to make an informed choice. They simply need to ask what is being specified, confirm that the product supplied matches that specification and keep the documentation that proves it.

“If genuine Colorsteel is important to you, say so, make sure it’s specified and ask for the documentation,” says Victoria. “Those simple steps give you confidence that the product you’ve invested in is the product that’s on your roof.”

When you’re investing in a roof that is expected to protect your home for decades, knowing exactly what you’re buying is a small step that can make a significant difference.