Contractor Warranty Vs. Manufacturer Warranty

Having your roof repaired, maintained, replaced, or installed is a costly endeavor. You want to make sure that the products are good quality, the workmanship is excellent and that your roof lasts as long as possible — after all, you don’t want to spend any more money than necessary.

The first step is in knowing the difference between the manufacturer’s warranty and the contractor’s warranty, and then making sure you have both!

Most manufacturers provide a warranty against manufacturing defects for their roofing products, although your exact coverage will vary depending on the brand and the roofing material you choose. For example, most shingles carry a lifetime limited warranty against manufacturing defects, while most 3-tab shingles carry a 20, 25 or 30 year limited warranty against manufacturing defects. Each warranty has its own specific terms and conditions, so it’s important to read each warranty carefully.

While a manufacturer’s warranty covers defects in their product(s), it usually does not cover problems caused by improper or erroneous installation and workmanship. Moreover, most manufacturers have very specific instructions regarding installation and maintenance, and in the case that they are not followed, their warranty often becomes void. Those types of errors must be covered by a contractor’s warranty. Many roofing contractors provide their own warranties against errors in workmanship — sometimes for up to 10 years after the work is complete.

It’s a good idea to get references for the roofing company and investigate its history and length of time in business. It’s not unheard of for a shady roofing company to offer a warranty but refuse to honor it, or to suddenly go out of business or leave town - as storm chasing contractors often do. Look for a company that has a solid and long-established reputation in your community and check to make sure they honor their promises.