If you need to have your roof repaired or replaced, it is important that you carefully consider which roofing contractor to hire. Not all roofing contractors are equal, and there can be quite a huge difference in terms of the quality of work, cost, and type of warranty or guarantee the company provides.
Most types of roofing such as asphalt shingles or metal roofing come with a manufacturer’s warranty that covers the materials. However, this warranty is only valid if the roofing materials are installed by a professional roofing contractor. In addition, any reputable roofing contractor should also offer their own guarantee on all the work they perform.
AN OVERVIEW OF STANDARD ROOFING WARRANTIES
A roofing warranty is divided into two categories, which work together to ensure that you shouldn’t have to pay should any issues arise because of a manufacturer’s defect or how the roof was installed. The manufacturer’s warranty basically guarantees that the shingles or other roofing materials are of high quality and should last for a specific amount of time. The second part of the equation is the workmanship warranty, which is provided directly by the roofing contractor and guarantees that the work was performed properly.
Some roofing manufacturers also offer enhanced or extended warranties that cover both the materials and the workmanship. However, these warranties are only available if all of the roofing materials come from the same manufacturer and if the work is done by one of the manufacturer’s approved or certified contractors.
ROOFING MANUFACTURER WARRANTIES
All roofing manufacturers warranty their materials for a set amount of time. As long as the roof was installed correctly, the manufacturer will cover the cost of the materials should any issue arise during this warranty period. It is important to understand that this warranty only covers defective materials. If the materials fail or the roof has any issues that are caused by any errors in the installation or because of some other component like the flashing or underlayment, then the manufacturer will not cover the cost of the replacement materials.
The specific length of this warranty can differ depending on the type of roofing material and the manufacturer. The standard warranty for asphalt shingles is around 20 to 30 years. However, it is important to note that this manufacturer’s warranty doesn’t necessarily mean they will pay for the entire cost of a new roof if the roofing materials are defective.
Instead, most manufacturers only provide a full warranty for the first few years after installation. If the roof has any issues because of defective materials during this first period, the manufacturer should cover the costs of all new materials and the labor costs to install the new roof. However, they won’t cover the cost to tear off or dispose of the old materials.
After this initial period has passed, the warranty is then prorated based on the age of the materials. This means that you will only get a certain percentage of the cost of the new materials and not the full price of a new roof.
All this being said, there are some manufacturers that offer a lifetime warranty. A lifetime warranty doesn’t mean that the roofing materials are guaranteed to last forever. Instead, what it means is that the manufacturer should pay the entire cost to replace any defective materials throughout the entire length of the warranty period.
ROOFING CONTRACTOR WARRANTIES
Installing a new roof is much more complex than it may seem. If the entire process isn’t done properly by skilled professionals, then even the best roofing materials won’t last all that long. This is precisely why it is important to choose a roofing contractor that guarantees the quality of their labor.
All professional roofing contractors provide a warranty that ensures the quality of their workmanship for a set amount of time. This means that if your roof needs any repairs or needs to be replaced because of any issue with how it was installed, the contractor should cover the entire cost of the necessary materials and labor.
Most roofing contractors will warranty their work for anywhere from two to 10 years, but some offer a lifetime guarantee that is good for as long as the roofing materials are still under the manufacturer’s warranty. However, it is important to note that this guarantee is only as good as the company making it. This is why it is essential that you do some research and look at reviews to ensure you choose a reputable, trusted company that stands by its word. If not, you could be left footing the bill for a new roof on your own.
In addition to guaranteeing their workmanship, your roofing contractor should also be fully insured and committed to performing all work up to the highest safety standards. Choosing a contractor that is fully insured is essential as otherwise, you could be liable should any accidents or damage to your home occur during the job.
Some roofing manufacturers also give you the option to purchase a workmanship warranty directly through their company. After the roof has been installed, the manufacturer will have it inspected. If the materials were installed properly and the roof passes the inspection, the manufacturer will then usually warrant the workmanship for 25 years or however long the material warranty is. However, this type of warranty is something you have to pay for, which is why it is always best to simply choose a roofing contractor that is willing to warrant all of their own work.
ENHANCED ROOFING WARRANTIES
If you truly want to ensure that your new roof will last, you should always choose a manufacturer and contractor that work together to offer an enhanced warranty. In order to qualify for an enhanced warranty, you have to choose an entire roofing system including the underlayment layers, shingles, ventilation, hip and ridge caps, and flashing. All the installation work also has to be performed by a contractor who has been certified by the manufacturer.
At Paramount Roofing, we are proud to be a CertainTeed Select Shinglemaster contractor. As a CertainTeed SSM, we can help ensure that your new roof qualifies for the SureStart PLUS extended warranty coverage whenever you opt for a CertainTeed Integrity Roof System. Depending on the specific materials used, the SureStart PLUS warranty guarantees all workmanship for a period of 25 years and covers the materials for either 25 or 50 years.
Unlike other warranties, it also covers the cost to tear off and dispose of the old materials as well as the new material and labor costs. Another thing that sets the SureStart PLUS warranty apart is that the material and labor costs are never prorated like they are with standard manufacturer warranties. In addition, the warranty is fully transferrable and will automatically pass to the next owner should you ever decide to sell your home.
CONTACT US TODAY!
If you need a new roof installed, you can trust our team to provide the highest quality materials and workmanship at a fair price. We work on all types of roofs and with all roofing materials, and we offer a wide selection of shingles and metal roofing products. Whether you need roof repairs due to hail or wind damage or your entire roof replaced, you can count on us to get the job done right the first time. Contact Paramount Roofing today if you need any residential or commercial roofing services in Romeo or the surrounding areas.