Harlow Beats Flat Roof Horrors with Pioneering Quality Scheme

Flat roofs are a nightmare, but Harlow Council, in an innovative flat-to-pitched roof conversion, has found a long term cure.  In addition to replacing a worn out flat roof with a more attractive, durable lower maintenance structure, the council has taken advantage of the Pioneer Guarantee Scheme.  The unique, insurance backed, ten-year warranty offers extensive protection underpinned by a rigorous quality audit and inspection programme at modest cost.

Mike McKee, managing director of Guttermaster, a supplier to the Harlow scheme and a Pioneer scheme founder-member, explained how this works.  “Pioneer Guarantees give three levels of protection.  To qualify to enter the scheme, Alliance Warranty Management (AWM), who run the scheme, has audited every facet of our business, from looking at our accounts over the last three years to scrutinising our manufacturing processes and quality systems.  Once a scheme starts they regularly inspect as work proceeds to ensure correct installation, the guarantee starts after satisfactory commissioning and handover at the end of the project.” 

The Harlow project was undertaken with roofing contractors Art Contracts Limited of Banbury, who are also scheme members.  This means that the entire roof construction and its drainage system are covered by the warranty.  The Pioneer guarantee runs for 10 years. This includes an initial two year manufacturer’s guarantee, followed by the insurers eight year warranty.  In the unlikely event of a supplier ceasing to trade, the insurance backed warranty will cover the whole ten year period.

Guarantees are administered by Building and Land Guarantees, an independent specialist in providing such guarantees.  The insurance is provided by an ‘A’ rated insurance company.  There are no limits to the number and value of claims that can be made during the 10 year period and premiums add only modestly to project cost.  

“Flat roofs cause misery for householders and problems for housing managers throughout the country.  We hope the Harlow scheme will be a model for others to follow,” Mike concluded. 
      
      
More Information
Mike McKee, Tel. +44 (0)1706 869550 Fax. +44 (0)1706 869551
E-mail: mikemckee@guttermaster.co.uk Web: www.guttermaster.co.uk
Guttermaster Ltd, Shawclough Trading Estate, Shawclough Road, Rochdale, OL12 6ND, UK

High/low resolution images are on the web at www.ainsmag.co.uk/gu234/4297gu1a.htm

August 21, 2007