Understanding Roofing Warranties

With a major investment such as a new roof, it’s best to understand how roofing warranties work. When exploring the purchase of a new roof, major considerations are first and foremost, the contractor who will be completing the project and secondary, the products used and what warranties they carry. Here we’re going to discuss the ins-and-outs of roofing warranties, so that when it comes time for you to call Dave Miner for a job, you will already know what you are in the market for!

Roofing Warranty Types:

Standard Manufacturer’s Roofing Warranty

This is your basic warranty protecting you from defective products. The industry standard is a “limited lifetime warranty” and we should emphasize “limited” as this protection varies from product to product and manufacturer to manufacturer. The majority of the time, your manufacturer will pay for the full cost of new shingles to replace defective ones during the first few years of your warranty and from then on will prorate the cost of future shingles. Keep in mind, this only applies to the cost of the materials itself, you’re still responsible for labor and disposal of the old shingles. This warranty will also only cover factory defects. Mistakes made during installation do not fall under your standard manufacturer’s warranty.

Installation and Contractor Warranties

The next type of warranty to understand is one provided by the contractor doing your roofing job. The truly reputable roofing contractors will stand behind the jobs they do by providing customers with warranties covering their craftsmanship. These can often be lifetime warranties, but will vary based on the company doing the job and will cover defective materials due to installation errors. A contractor’s warranty, unlike a standard manufacturer’s warranty, will usually cover both the cost of materials as well as the labor to make repairs. Things outside of an installer’s control are not usually covered, such as storm damage or leaks caused by debris and foot traffic. Also, defective materials if the roof was altered after installation like with solar panels, for example, as well as non-craftsmanship related defects.

Extended Manufacturer’s Roofing Warranties

The final type of warranty offered when getting a new roof is an extended manufacturer’s warranty. These are additional warranties offered by leading manufacturers and their certified contractors. This bridges the gap between the product itself and the installation by a contractor. A qualified, trusted, and certified installer can offer extended warranties that cover the labor and materials of your full roof system. They often require a full-system installation but can provide long-lasting protection for one of your biggest home investments.

Read The Fine Print & Register Those Roofing Warranties!

Now that you’ve done the hard part and made all the tough decisions, congratulations! The final step is to read the fine print of any warranties you chose, ensure that all of the requirements are met, and understand what may void your warranty. We recommend using the same contractor for repairs as you did for installation. Using a different company may void any warranties you have. Most warranties also require regular inspections, some may allow you to do it yourself but others may require someone specific- check the details to be sure. If your installation and warranty are being done by an authorized contractor, they will often have to submit the information to the manufacturer within a specific time frame. You, the customer, need to register some warranties instead of your roofing contractor. If this is the case, ensure you do so, to avoid extra issues when making a claim.

Final Takeaways

Your roof is a vital part of your home, so many thoughts go into the final decision-making process when getting a new roof and you can’t overlook the warranties that come with it. A good roofing warranty can ensure the longevity of your investment, so look at going with a contractor that can offer you the best warranties available. Find an authorized and certified installer like Dave Miner for long-lasting protection. Once you’ve found your contractor and picked out what warranty coverage you need, read that fine print and register the warranty if you need to do so. Hopefully, this helps make your biggest home improvement investment a bit less stressful! Remember, if you’re looking for the best warranties, quick turnaround, and the highest quality materials, call us at 413-XXX-XXXX or click HERE to get a free quote now.