Are Roof Warranties Worth it?
Getting a new roof is no easy expense. However, so many people still get in a doozy when they see the cost on their roofer’s proposals. Like many other construction projects, the budgets are often stretched when it comes to any roofing replacement, repair, or installation. Not only is there the cost of the materials, the cost of labor and equipment also needs to be factored in. With prices constantly rising, many homeowners are now asking the question – are roof warranties worth it?
When you look at the cost of a roof warranty and compare it to the cost of roof repairs and replacement, it might seem like an easy comparison as the latter seems a lot higher than the former. However, a common mistake that homeowners make is the assumption that ahaving a 30 or 50 year warranty means that throughout that span of time, any damage to your roof will automatically be repaired by the contractor.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. It is important to learn about some of the major differences between workmanship warranties and manufacturer roofing warranties.
For starters, there is a difference between the manufacturer warranty on the product and the workmanship warranty by the contractor. The manufacturer warranty covers any damages to the product. However, this typically only covers pre-existing defects from the factory or any damages that may have occurred during shipping and transport. When your roof is damaged to typical wear and tear over time, your manufacturer’s warranty won’t cover the cost for new materials. The workmanship warranty, on the other hand, is the warranty that covers the services needed for repairs or installation provided that the damage or defect to your roof is due to installation error or something that the contractor did. These warranties usually come at no added cost when you purchase new roofing materials or get a certified contractor for the job. However, there are some things you need to know before you rely on these warranties.
When you look at roofing manufacturer warranties, there are many differences between what certain companies offer. Warranties vary and this is usually dependent on the type of material the product is made of. For example, asphalt shingles are typically made to last 20 to 30 years. Most manufacturer warranties cover between 20 to 50 years provided that you can prove that the product was defective. Usually, if the shingles last for only 10 years, you’ll have a hard time proving that the shingles were defects. That aside, newly installed shingles that start to fall off or become damaged within just a few weeks may be subject to this warranty.
However, the likelihood of newly installed roofings materials to fall off right after installation is not that likely. Even when it does, most cases are usually caused not by a product defect but by construction errors. When you hire a roofing contractor that does not have the right level of skill, expertise and experience, a ton of things could go wrong. In these cases, manufacturer warranties become null and void. So, you will have to rely on your contractor’s service warranty.
It is essential that homeowners keep themselves informed, especially when it comes to the warranty their roofing contractor offers. If something goes wrong with the roof, the installer’s company is the one you would call. Unfortunately, these warranties don’t last as long as manufacturer warranties. While manufacturers provide decades of warranty coverage, roofers typically offer only a year or two.
As a homeowner, when was the last time you checked to see what the warranty from your roof system manufacturer covers?
If you haven’t recently suffered a leak, the answer might be never – and you may have an erroneous idea of what your warranty actually says.
In order to get the most out of your roofing warranties, it is best to understand your warranty coverage, use requirements as leverage, and reduce the likelihood of needing your warranty.
As a homeowner, it’s best to never be lured into buying a certain product just because of the warranty offered. It is much better to get something that won’t need any replacement anytime soon. The way to do this is to look closely at the details and quality of the product. If there is a warranty included, get into the nitty gritty of the warranty’s coverage.
If you are looking to find the best roofing materials and roof installation services that come with comprehensive warranties, speak to Waddle Exteriors.
