Do you need a new roof? Are you concerned about making a large investment without knowing how it’ll be protected?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Given the roofing industry’s reputation, homeowners have a good reason to worry about roof leaks after already paying thousands of dollars.
Luckily, you can leave those worries behind if you hire a reputable roofer with a strong workmanship warranty. But what exactly is a workmanship warranty? What does it cover? How long should it last?
For over 30 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners make the right hiring decisions through honest and transparent advice. So, let’s look at what you need to know about workmanship warranties and how it can help you make the right hire.
This article answers the following questions about workmanship warranties:
- What does a roofing contractor’s workmanship warranty cover?
- How long does a roofing contractor’s workmanship warranty last?
- How long of a workmanship warranty should you look for when hiring a roofer?
- What does the length of a roofing contractor’s workmanship warranty tell you?
What does a roofing contractor’s workmanship warranty cover?
A roofing contractor’s workmanship warranty covers any errors made during the roof installation process. Simply put, the roofer is on the hook to fix any issues or problems caused by improper installation during the warranty period.
This warranty is the only thing that protects you from mistakes or careless work that leads to roof leaks or premature roof failure. So, avoid any roofing contractor unwilling to stand behind their work.
Unfortunately, a workmanship warranty is only as good as the paper it’s written on. That’s why hiring a reputable roofer with a history of great customer service and strong workmanship in your area is crucial.
How long does a roofing contractor’s workmanship warranty last?
Every roofing contractor should offer a warranty on their workmanship. However, the length varies from company to company.
Roofing contractor workmanship warranties last anywhere from 2, 5, 10, or 25 years, with some even offering lifetime warranties. With that in mind, the most common length roofing contractors offer is a 5 to 10 year warranty.
In my opinion, a roofer should stand behind their work as long as your roofing material and components are viable. But if you qualify for an enhanced warranty and the roofer is certified, you can also purchase a workmanship warranty through the shingle manufacturer.
Depending on the level of certification and manufacturer, you can purchase a workmanship warranty that lasts anywhere from 10 to 25 years.
How long of a workmanship warranty should you look for when hiring a roofer?
With a new roof being such a large investment, you want to get as much protection as possible. That’s why I recommend hiring a roofing contractor that offers a 25-year or lifetime workmanship warranty.
Just keep in mind that a lifetime warranty doesn’t cover your roof for your lifetime. It only covers the lifespan of the roof’s materials and components, which depends on the shingle or roofing material you choose.
However, this still protects your roof investment and gives you peace of mind for a couple of decades. If you can’t find someone with a lifetime warranty, you should look for a roofing contractor that offers long-term protection.
Because of this, you shouldn’t settle for anything less than a 10-year workmanship warranty from a potential roofing contractor.
What does the length of a roofing contractor’s workmanship warranty tell you?
As I said earlier, workmanship warranties vary from roofer to roofer. However, the length tells you a lot about the roofing contractor you’re considering hiring.
The longer they stand behind their work, the more confidence you’ll have that the job will be done right. Roofing contractors who trust their workmanship and use quality materials should have no problem providing at least a 10-year workmanship warranty.
But if a roofer shortcuts or uses cheaper materials, they’ll offer a warranty that’ll expire just before the cracks start to show. For example, a company that relies heavily on caulk will give a two-year workmanship warranty because the caulking will fail within a couple of years.
This isn’t me saying roofing contractors that don’t offer a lifetime warranty are bad companies. However, it’s crucial to hire one that offers some long-term protection on their workmanship.
What else do you need to look for when hiring a roofing contractor?
Now you know what a roofing contractor’s workmanship warranty covers, how long of one you should look for, and what the length they offer tells you about the roofer. You should only consider companies that offer at least a 10-year workmanship warranty, but don’t be afraid to look for lifetime coverage or something close to it (25 years).
But if a contractor isn’t willing to stand behind their workmanship, don’t even consider using them for your roof replacement. That’s why one of the first questions you should ask a potential roofing contractor is how long they stand behind their work.
However, this is just one question you need to ask. Failing to ask the right questions when meeting with roofers is the number one reason homeowners get taken advantage of by the industry.
I don’t want this to happen to you or anyone else. That’s why I wrote another article giving the 10 questions every homeowner must ask a roofing contractor before hiring them.
Check out the Top 10 Questions To Ask A Roofing Contractor to learn the right questions to ask and the answers to look for when talking to potential roofers.
