Are you looking at multiple roofing contractors for your roof replacement? If so, you probably noticed some of them offer a lifetime warranty while others put a number of years on theirs.

But what does a lifetime warranty actually mean to your roof? Lucky for you, we’ve got you covered. 

The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has been providing the residents of Nashville with high-quality roofing services since 1990. We know what it takes to get the most out of your roof. That’s why we offer a lifetime warranty on our workmanship. 

So, what does a lifetime warranty mean to you and your roof? Always eager to educate, I’m going to answer that question and more. 

By the end of this article, you'll learn what a lifetime warranty covers, what it tells you about a roofing contractor, and what it means to you. 

What does a roofing contractor’s warranty cover?

Before we get into the finer details of a contractor’s lifetime warranty, you need to know what it covers. 

Every contractor should offer a warranty on their workmanship. This warranty is in place to protect you from careless or lazy work that leads to needing repairs or a full roof replacement. 

Be aware, a roofing contractor’s workmanship warranty covers anything that has to do with the installation process. This means if you have a leak because of improper installation, your contractor is on the hook to fix it. 

As long as the materials on your roof hold up, so should your contractor’s workmanship. But how long does a roofing contractor usually stand behind their workmanship? 

The length of workmanship warranties varies from contractor to contractor. They usually go from 2, 5, 10, 25 years, and some companies even give lifetime warranties. 

You should always read the fine print on your roof estimate and warranty to learn exactly what is covered and for how long. To learn more about roof warranties, read this article on what roof warranties cover.

What does a lifetime warranty tell you about a roofing contractor?

So, some contractors offer a lifetime warranty for your roof investment. But what does offering a lifetime warranty tell you about a roofing contractor? 

It tells you they do things the right way, and they take pride in their workmanship. If a roofing contractor trusts the quality of their workmanship and uses correct roofing techniques, they should have no problem providing you with a lifetime warranty.

On the other hand, if a contractor takes shortcuts or uses cheaper materials, they’ll offer a warranty that’ll expire just before the cracks in their workmanship or cheap materials start to show. For example, a company that relies heavily on caulk will give a two-year workmanship warranty because the caulk will fail within a couple of years.

At the end of the day, if a roofing contractor really cares about how your roof is installed, they’ll offer you a lifetime warranty. That way, even if a mistake was made, you know they’ll be there to fix it.  

What does a roofing contractor’s lifetime warranty mean to you?

Now you know what offering a lifetime warranty tells you about a roofing contractor. But what does a lifetime warranty mean to you? 

With a new roof being an investment, you would want to have as much protection as possible. When your roofing contractor offers a lifetime warranty, you have long-term protection for your investment. 

Be aware, a lifetime warranty doesn’t cover your roof for your lifetime. A lifetime warranty from a contractor only covers the lifespan of your roof and its roofing materials. 

For your dimensional shingle asphalt roof, that’s anywhere from 25-28 of protection on your contractor’s workmanship. That’s a long time for your roof to be protected from any leaks caused by a mistake during installation. 

A lifetime warranty also means peace of mind for you and your family. You get the peace of mind knowing your contractor will be there to take care of you if a leak or other problems show up. 

Should you hire a roofing contractor that offers a lifetime warranty?

Remember, every contractor should offer a warranty on their workmanship. If a contractor doesn’t offer one, don’t even think about hiring them. 

With that in mind, to get the most out of your roof investment, it’s crucial to hire a contractor that offers a lifetime warranty or close to it (25 years). This protects your investment and gives you peace of mind for a couple of decades. 

Be warned, a contractor’s workmanship warranty is only as good as the paper it’s written on. You should always hire a contractor that is known for great customer service, has a history of proper roof installation, and more. 

What else do you need to know about hiring a roofing contractor?

You just learned what a lifetime warranty tells you about a contractor and what it means to you. With a lifetime warranty, your roof investment is protected in the long term and you get peace of mind for decades to come. 

You also learned that it’s recommended to hire a roofing contractor that offers a lifetime warranty. Asking what type of workmanship warranty they offer is just one thing to ask a local roofing contractor.

But what else should you ask a roofing contractor before hiring them? Lucky for you, we’re here to help. 

The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has been providing high-quality roof replacements to the residents of Nashville since 1990. We always stand behind our workmanship by offering a lifetime warranty. If you're local to Nashville, don't hesitate to contact us for all your roofing needs.

Read our article on the Top 8 Questions To Ask A Roofing Contractor to learn what you need to ask and the right answers to look for when talking to potential roofing contractors.

checklist of questions to ask a roofing contractor