Wondering what your roof warranty covers?
A roof warranty can help save you when you’re in a pinch or a tight place for money. Roof warranties help you save on roof replacement costs and help if there are any defects or poor installation practices.
Warranties can also help show that your roofing contractor is proud of their work and that they’ll offer insurance on behalf of their confidence in the form of a warranty. If you’ve wondered how these warranties work then we’re here to help make it easy for you with today’s post.
ROOF WARRANTY FAQ
WHAT ARE ROOFING WARRANTIES?
A roofing warranty guarantees that the roofing contractor will correct any defects or roof installation problems they are responsible for. The roofing company usually covers their labor and materials to fix any issues with your roof at no charge to you other than an inspection fee. Not all roofers will charge an inspection fee, but generally, it depends on how long after the roof was installed that you call and ask about its condition.
WHAT DO WARRANTIES COVER?
A roof warranty is offered as a guarantee that the roofing material and roof system’s performance will last for the lifetime of the roof as long as there aren’t any adverse weather conditions. Most often, the warranty will cover roof leaks or roofer-caused damage to your property. Storm damage and other naturally occurring damage won’t be covered by a roof warranty.
HOW DO I CHECK MY WARRANTY?
You can usually ask your roofing contractor what warranties they offer before they install the roof on your home. Odds are it will be a form of workmanship warranties and probably material warranties as well.
It’s not uncommon for contractors to offer their customers an “installation warranty,” but it might only cover installation-related issues. Finding a longer-term warranty that helps to cover defects within the first 2-5 years is a huge benefit.
DO ROOF WARRANTIES TRANSFER WITH HOME OWNERSHIP?
The answer to this question typically varies drastically. Depending on the type of warranty, it will sometimes transfer when a home is sold to a new owner. If there is a defect in the material itself, you might have better luck claiming a roofing material warranty. Securing any warranty is most likely if the roof was replaced within the last few years or specifically in preparation for the sale of the home.
As a new homeowner or a home buyer, a roof warranty could mean the difference in saving thousands of dollars. If the shingles or roof were to leak for any reason, you’d be saving loads of money thanks to a roof warranty.
THREE TYPES OF ROOF WARRANTIES
We’ve danced around the different ideas of roof warranties and what they cover, but it’s important to define that there are three main types of roof warranties that you’ll come in contact with as you’re shopping for a roof. These types are manufacturers, workmanship, and extended manufacturers’. Here’s what each of them covers.
1. STANDARD MANUFACTURERS’ WARRANTY
The roof manufacturers offer a warranty for the roof they manufacture. This will cover any defects in their roofing materials, but only if it was installed by a company that’s certified to install their products. This is a great type of warranty to have because it helps to protect you from those crazy flukes when you have poorly manufactured products. Keep in mind, if you choose to go the DIY route, you will most likely be voiding any roofing warranties that come with the materials.
2. CONTRACTOR WORKMANSHIP WARRANTY
This roof warranty is a guarantee that the roofer will correct any roof installation problems they are responsible for. The roofer usually covers their labor and materials to fix any roof issues at no charge to you, other than an inspection fee. But, in many cases, the roofer will offer a free inspection. Generous contractors like this see the value in ensuring that you’re 100% satisfied with the services they’ve performed on your home.
3. EXTENDED MANUFACTURERS’ WARRANTY
An extended roof warranty is a manufacturer warranty that is offered as a guarantee that the roof system and roofing materials won’t deteriorate to unrepairable levels for up to 30+ years (the expected lifetime of the roof). These warranties will sometimes cover roof leaks and damages that occur due to faulty products and roofing materials. Storm damage and other naturally occurring damages won’t be covered by a roof warranty.
ROOF WARRANTIES VS. ROOF INSURANCE
Roof warranties and roof insurance can often be confused, but they’re not the same thing. Roof warranties are contracts that give you the peace of mind that any roofer-caused issues will be fixed. Roof insurance is something homeowners opt to get as a safety net. The roofer isn’t liable for any roof insurance claims, but they are with roof warranties.
Roof insurance will help you in the event of a major storm or other “act of God” type events that damage your home and roof. Many homeowners are even required to carry insurance on their roof through their standard homeowner’s insurance policy. If you just got a new roof, it is definitely worth the money when you take into account that a hail storm could wreak havoc on your home.
FINDING THE RIGHT CONTRACTOR
In conclusion, roof warranties that cover roofer-related and product-related mishaps and defects are great to have. While not every company offers them, we think every company should at least offer a workmanship warranty as a way of standing behind their work. This is why it is so important to find a roofing contractor that you trust to install your new roof.
That’s why our team at MARS Restoration offers a full workmanship warranty. If you’re not satisfied with the work we’ve done or their obvious signs of roofer-related problems with your new roof, we’re happy to return and ensure that the work we did holds up. Contact MARS Restoration today for the best roofing services.