Your Roof Warranty and What It Covers

Replacing a roof is a costly expense. It can range from $5,000 to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the roof size, slope, and materials used during the project. Typically, metal roofs are more expensive than shingle roofs regarding installation, repairs, and guarantees. It’s important to know that a warranty doesn’t always cover the entire cost of installing a new roof.

A warranty can cover materials and potentially the installation, guaranteeing the contractor’s work for a specific period of time. The typical warranty limits the available coverage and comes with various conditions.

Here we explain the types of warranties and what they cover so you can determine whether yours is sufficient to get you a new roof without paying out of pocket.

Manufacturer Warranty

A manufacturer or product warranty should partially cover a roof replacement or installation. Typically, the roofing contractor can provide this type of warranty, or the customer can find the necessary information on the manufacturer’s website.

A manufacturer warranty guarantees the roofing materials’ expected lifespan against failures or defects. However, improper maintenance or installation can void the warranty. Although material defects are rare and don’t typically result in a failing roof, the warranty will protect against them under specific circumstances. However, it won’t offer many guarantees against more common causes of premature roof failure.

Installation and Contractor Warranty

The roofer provides the installation warranty. It offers more protection than a manufacturer’s warranty. However, coverage varies depending on who issues it and the type of warranty.

You must consider including this in the language of your contract. It is crucial to understand what protections you have if your roof gets damaged or needs replacing. The roofer should clearly state what they will and won’t cover in the warranty. They should also mention the duration of the coverage.

Many roofing contractors provide only limited guarantees for the work they do. You might void the warranty if you attempt to do the job yourself or hire someone else to provide maintenance or roof repair services.

Typically, a contractor warranty expires before the end of a roof’s life. For example, a standard asphalt roof can last 25 to 30 years before requiring a replacement. However, a contractor warranty might only guarantee the roof for five to ten years.

Negotiating with your contractor to extend the warranty is possible. However, it will likely cost more money. The additional expense of an extended warranty might be worth it. It could be lower than the price you would pay if you had to replace your entire roof.

Contractors might guarantee a roof for up to 25 or 30 years. Some offer guarantees for as long as 40 years. It depends on who you hire and the type of products they use. Extended warranties often apply to metal, slate, and other higher-end roofing materials, since they cost more.

A more extended guarantee can cost as much as an additional $3,000. However, investing in an extended warranty can benefit you if you ever need an expensive repair or replacement after a strong storm, mold growth, or roof collapse. Spending the extra money can be insignificant compared to the peace of mind you will have.

Pay Attention to What Your Warranty Doesn’t Cover

Nothing is worse than starting a roofing project only to realize your warranty doesn’t cover specific parts of the job. You might have to pay out of pocket for certain expenses despite having an extended warranty from your contractor.

For example, you must pay for the service if your extended warranty plan doesn’t cover roof damage after a heavy snowfall.

You can add specific scenarios to the warranty, but it will only make it into the plan if you request it. The contractor can upgrade the installation warranty to include features protecting your roof from hail damage, lightning strikes, rain accumulation, and other adverse weather events.

You must maintain your roof to avoid voiding your warranty. That means getting routine inspections and cleanings. Prompt repairs are also necessary to prevent minor issues from becoming more problematic in the future. However, you might have to hire the same contractor for the repairs and maintenance. If the language in the contract prohibits you from outsourcing the job to a different company, stick with the roofer you worked with before.

Contact RoofsOnly.com for Your Next Roof Replacement or Repair

A roof replacement can lead to financial burdens if you don’t understand your warranty. You must review it to determine what it does and doesn’t guarantee so you know what to expect when it’s time for a repair or replacement.

Call RoofsOnly.com at (512) 746-7090 or complete our online contact form for an appointment. Our expert team can advise you of the options and provide dependable, quality roof replacement service.

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