In the roofing industry, we spend a lot of time talking about roof warranties. If you aren’t sure what is and isn’t covered by your existing roof warranty, it’s time to change that. If you’re in the market for a new roof installation or replacement, warranty considerations should be a critical factor when making a decision. The first step to making sure your roofing solution will last for years to come is understanding what your warranty protects and what you may have to cover out of pocket.
The Manufacturer Warranty
The first step to understanding what’s covered by your roof warranty is distinguishing between a workmanship warranty—or installation warranty—and a manufacturer warranty. When we talk about a 3-year or 5-year warranty, we’re typically referring to a manufacturer warranty. The roofing materials are designed and engineered to last that long given certain conditions, but that doesn’t mean your roofing contractor will come out to service your roof at no charge as soon as there’s a problem in that period. Rather, if there’s determined to be a manufacturing defect in that timeframe, the manufacturer will cover replacement of the defective materials only.
The Installation Warranty
When roofs fail, however, it’s rarely due to the material failure covered by the manufacturer warranty. Roof failure can more frequently be attributed to installation or construction defects. That’s when your installation warranty comes into play. In the event of a construction defect, liability falls on the company that installed your roof. That’s why finding a roofing contractor you can trust is one of the most critical parts of your roof installation. Don’t expect the manufacturer warranty to save you if you end up going with a cheap contractor that doesn’t do the job right. In fact, installation defects typically void the manufacturer warranty.
Protecting Your Investment
When you spend as much as you do on a new roof, you need peace of mind knowing that your roofing system will provide a return on your investment. Just because your new roof materials come with a 5 or 10 year product warranty doesn’t mean you won’t have to worry about your roof for the next 10 years, especially if you end up going with an unreliable contractor. If you want the ultimate peace of mind, choose a roofing contractor that offers extended installation warranties. Problems with installation rarely come to light until the installation warranty term has ended. Partnering with a roofing contractor that offers extended installation (labor) warranties means that they stand by the work they do. Pair that with a comprehensive manufacturer labor and material warranty, and you can be confident that you’ll be covered for just about any roofing issues that may arise.
A Partner You Can Trust
Finding a roofing contractor you can trust is a critical part of ensuring that your investment pays off in the long run. Saving on upfront costs can hurt your business in the long run if you don’t consider long-term factors like roof warranties, materials, and service charges.
If you want to learn more about how C.I. Services helps businesses like yours get the most out of a new roof or a roof replacement, contact our team today.