Roofing Warranties (Four Important Things You Need to Know)
Roofing Warranties (Four Important Things You Need to Know)
Roofing warranties are great.
You’re spending a substantial amount of money on a new roof and a warranty is like the cherry on top.
That is…assuming everything goes as you expect it to.
When it comes to roofs, there are several key things to understand so you can protect yourself should you ever need a warranty.
Here are 4 Important Things That Homeowners need to know:
Start With a Reputable Roofing Contractor
Before you get a new roof and certainly before you sign on the dotted line, do your research. We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to choose a reputable roofing company.
As it relates to roofing warranties, there are two important factors in choosing a good roofer:
1.) This company needs to have a reputation and longevity so you know they’re not going anywhere. We’ve had people contact us for roof repairs since their former roofing contractor is no longer in business. This warranty work can’t be fulfilled because no one is there to fulfill them!
2.) Reputable roofers also train their crew on proper installation. Did you know that your shingle warranty can be void if it’s not properly installed? Experienced roofers don’t make these type of rookie mistakes.
Note: If you need help in picking a right company, we recommend that you ask these sample questions and check third party references.
Know The Difference Between Material and Labor Warranty
There is a distinct difference between material and labor warranty. Workmanship is covered by the roofing contractor and we’ve seen it from 3-10 years, depending on the company. Material warranties are covered by the manufacturer and typically range from 25-50 years.
Roofing contractors will help facilitate material warranties process. Usually, this means that a representative from the manufacturer will come and inspect your home. They can determine if it is a warranty issue, installation issue, or otherwise. They hold the final verdict.
Again, picking the right roofer will help ensure that your warranty is secure.
Transferability
Some roofers will transfer warranties to different homeowner and others won’t. It really depends on the company.
While there is no right or wrong answer, knowing this will help any future plans of selling your home.
For instance, if you plan on selling your home soon, it may be good to give the new homeowner an allowance towards a new roof. Additionally, you want to know about transferability when marketing your home so you don’t give misinformation.
Otherwise if you plan on living there for a long time then transferability may not be a concern.
Warranty Fulfillment
So let’s say that all the previous points are cleared at this point. Now it’s time to call your roofing contractor to see if they’ll come out and respond to your concerns.
Will they dodge your calls? What about deny the damage? Will they not stand by your work?
It doesn’t matter how good the warranties sound on paper if you can’t get the roofing company to call you back.
We cannot emphasize ENOUGH to pick a company that will stand by their work.
We even encourage you to ask for references of former clients who have had to call for warranty work. They’ll tell you the real story.
Summary
When it comes to roofing warranties, it really boils down to these 4 factors. You need to pick a good roofing contractor, understand the warranty terms, and make sure they come back for issues. Warranties can sometimes give a false security, however, choosing the right company doesn’t have to be hard.
If you’ve done your research and would consider Mutual Roofing, give us a call at (402) 889-3381 to schedule your FREE inspection.