If you’re investing in a major purchase like a new roof, for example, you want to be sure that your investment is protected. Roof warranties are set in place by the materials manufacturer to cover any material defects, and contractors offer workmanship warranties to cover anything dealing with the installation process. But exactly what is included in a workmanship warranty?
Workmanship warranties come in all shapes and sizes, and will vary from contractor to contractor. They are also extremely important when it comes to your new roof, and should play a key role in choosing the right contractor for the job. In this article, we discuss what is included in a workmanship warranty, how long of a warranty you should look for, and more!
Table of Contents
– What is Included in a Workmanship Warranty?
– How Long Does a Workmanship Warranty Last?
– Lengths of Workmanship Warranties
– What Type of Workmanship Warranty Should I Look For?
– Hiring the Right Roofing Contractor For You
What is Included in a Workmanship Warranty?
Workmanship warranties are crucial to protecting your new roof
When it comes to workmanship warranties, every contractor should offer one. Workmanship warranties are in place to protect homeowners from sub-par work by the roofer that leads to a need for a replacement or repairs. It doesn’t cover the roofing materials themselves, but the installation process.
So, what is included in a workmanship warranty? Essentially, if your roofing materials fail due to improper installation, then the roofer is responsible for fixing the problem. Workmanship warranties provide peace of mind for the homeowner, and show that the contractor stands behind their work.
With that being said, never hire a contractor that doesn’t offer a workmanship warranty. And always do your research when it comes to hiring a contractor. You want to be sure to select a company with a track record of excellent customer care and proper roof installation. In order to help with the hiring process, we came up with “5 Questions to Ask a Potential Roofing Contractor [For Professionalism and Peace of Mind].”
How Long Does a Workmanship Warranty Last?
Workmanship warranties come in all shapes and sizes, depending on the roofer you choose to work with
So, now that we know what is included in a workmanship warranty, let’s discuss how long they should last. Your contractor’s workmanship should last as long as the materials on your roof hold up. However, not all contractors stand behind their work through the lifespan of your roofing materials.
Workmanship warranties have varying lengths, usually lasting 2 years, 5 years, 10 years, or 25 years. Some contractors will even offer lifetime warranties, but this will vary among different roofing companies. Shingle manufacturers will also sometimes offer workmanship warranties, as well, standing behind their work for 25 years.
Lengths of Workmanship Warranties
Knowing how long workmanship warranties can last, and what is included in a workmanship warranty, you now may be wondering what the different lengths mean for you. The workmanship warranty a contractor offers has a lot to say about the roofer you’re thinking about hiring. It shows how long a contractor will stand behind their work, and just how much your new roof investment is protected.
If a contractor offers a longer workmanship warranty, it shows that they truly stand behind their work and the finished product. This gives peace of mind to the homeowner, and provides confidence knowing the job will be done right. If the contractor trusts and believes in their craftsmanship, and uses proper roofing techniques, they should have no problem issuing a 25-year or lifetime workmanship warranty.
And let’s just say that a contractor knowingly takes shortcuts or uses cheaper materials. They wouldn’t offer a long workmanship warranty, because they know their work isn’t quality and won’t last. They will offer a workmanship warranty that expires just before their poor craftsmanship and cheap materials reveal themselves.
This can be seen in companies that rely heavily on caulking. They will usually offer a 2-year workmanship warranty, because they know that the caulk will fail within a couple of years. And this is not to say that all companies are like this, and that if they don’t offer a lifetime warranty they are not a good roofing company. However, we highly recommend working with a contractor who offers a longer warranty for workmanship.
What Type of Workmanship Warranty Should I Look For?
It’s clear that what is included in a workmanship warranty and how long it lasts is crucial to protecting your new roof investment. And you want to have as much protection as possible, as installing a new roof over your home is a costly and important investment. But what type of workmanship warranty should you be looking for?
We strongly advise working with a roofing contractor that offers either a 25-year or lifetime warranty. This is the best way to get peace of mind when it comes to your investment, and can protect your roof for decades. It’s also important to note here that a lifetime warranty doesn’t protect your roof for your lifetime, but for the lifespan of your roof and roofing materials.
If you can’t find a roofing company that offers a lifetime warranty, that’s okay. But you should try to find one that provides some sort of protection on their workmanship long-term. If a contractor isn’t willing to stand behind their work for a decent amount of years, we strongly suggest finding another roofer to work with.
Hiring the Right Roofing Contractor For You
As an educated homeowner, you now know what is included in a workmanship warranty, how long they last, and what to look for. This will help you along your roof replacement journey, and to find the right contractor to do the job. And while you should always search for a roofer who offers a 25-year or lifetime warranty, that’s just one thing you need to know when it comes to hiring the right company.
You will also want to be sure the contractor you work with is licensed, bonded, and insured. It’s also important to work with a local company, to ensure that there is someone available that you can speak to should something go wrong. Plus, if a roofing company is willing and able to provide you with references, this shows they are true to their word when it comes to customer service and their capabilities.
Elite Exteriors is the Southeast’s premier residential and commercial resource for unparalleled service, superior craftsmanship, and incomparable quality. And it’s all backed by an unprecedented lifetime labor and materials warranty! Not only are we fully bonded, licensed, and insured, but we can provide any references you may need, and are more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Give us a call today at 470-350-3024 for a NO-COST initial consultation and inspection, or fill out our online form for more information!