In our previous post [Part 1], we explored the different forms of manufacturer and workmanship warranties. And though you certainly aren’t going to select a roof based solely on its warranty, it’s a part of your roof project that can leave either a sweet or bitter taste, depending how well you prepared and, how well suited your choice of material and contractor matched your project.

As with other major purchases in life, one of the hardest things to do is to set a reasonable level of expectation at the start. Strangely, most people know from their experience with other warranties on products and services that not everything is covered. But when it comes to roofing warranties, for some reason, people’s expectations of their warranties, well, they go through the roof.

The question is then,

2. What should you NOT assume is covered by Roof Warranties?

While not the most exciting reading, nothing can replace your reviewing your own roof warranty for exclusions. That said, there are two coverage areas that are usually omitted by the majority of policies.

Catastrophe Coverage

As the NCRA has noted, unfortunately too many new roof-buyers think a warranty is an all-inclusive insurance policy, covering all circumstances and all causes.  But even for life’s other important purchases – for instance, health, car and household appliance warranties- you know that simply is extremely rare.

And roof warranties are no different. The manufacturer and roofing contractor are generally not going to be held accountable for extraordinary weather-related catastrophes (eg. tornado hail and ice-back up) as well as accidents beyond their control (eg. fire, impact of foreign objects) and other like circumstances.

Workmanship and Roof-system-related Material and Labor Coverage

As we describe in our first post [Part 1], many (incorrectly) assume that labor services will be part of their Manufacturer’s Warranty.  Or they assume the flashing and chimney areas will be included as part of the work warranty. But you really need to check. That’s why we brag at Sherriff-Goslin that our 10-year Free Service Guarantee does cover these items.

3. Is a Warranty a Replacement for Roof Maintenance?

Absolutely not. Maybe it’s because we humans just tend to look for shortcuts in life. Or maybe we’re looking for excuses not to do those “honey-do” chores.  Whatever the psychology, a warranty is unfortunately no replacement for maintaining your roof.

How do you know what to do? One of the marks of a good contractor is that they state in writing all recommended and required owner maintenance during the warranty as well as through out the projected service life of the roof.

Also helpful, our friends over at the NRCA provides a great checklist for roof maintenance.  Don’t want to go up on the roof? Check if your roofing contractor offers free inspection services, like we do at Sherriff-Goslin. (We know some of you really don’t like roof or mountain climbing! )

4. What are Some Common (Unintended) Ways to Void Roof Warranties?

First and too obvious, the best way to avoid voiding is to review your specific warranty associated with your roof and conditions for voiding them.

That said, it’s worth pointing out though that there are two common forms under which warranties are voided are:

• Improper ventilation. This may lead to a “baking” of your roof shingles, leading to lifting and/or blistering.
• Improper installation. If the roof material is improperly affixed, for instance, there is improper or inadequate nailing of asphalt shingles. (Ask your contractor how many times they have worked with the material you have selected.)

In the end, roof warranties should play an important part but not the lead role in your roof and contractor decisions.  We’ll end on these statements from the NRCA’s advisory on roof warranties,

“The selection of a satisfactory roof system application should be based on the product’s qualities and suitability for the prospective project. A long-term warranty may be of little value to a consumer if the roof system does not perform satisfactorily and leaks. Conversely, if a roof system is designed, constructed and manufacturer well, the expense of purchasing a warranty may not be necessary.”

It’s tough being a homeowner buying a new roof: It’s a large investment and a decision that comes with lots of choices, from selecting a roofing contractor, understanding and choosing the roof system by functionality, aesthetics to budget considerations. Adding to the maelstrom, homeowners only have to do this a few times in their lifetime, even while negotiating with roofing experts who know far more. No wonder some people, like the ostrich, just put their head in the sand.

Don't be an Ostrich with its head in the ground.

With all these considerations in the forefront, many home owners aren’t aware that the true value of a roof warranty (that certificate you get at the conclusion of your project)  comes into play long after the installation is over, is a pretty complex animal. Now here’s the gamble: If you’ve meandered through the maze to choose an excellent roofing contractor and the right roofing system AND everything in nature and the elements conspire to make the best of possible world outcomes, you won’t have to use it.

But life isn’t perfect. Understanding that warranty certificate that comes with your brand new roof can save you significant amount of money down the 20+ year road of your roof and home’s life.
As we’ll explore in this article series, it turns out one of the most important questions to ask your contractor in advance of signing a contract for a roof project is:1.) What Type of Roof Warranty Covers My Roofing Project?

Yet many people aren’t aware that there are basically two different types of warranty that come with a roof project. Your project and choice of roofing material and system may include just one type of warranty or both types.

Manufacturing Warranty

The first type and most prevalent is the manufacturer’s warranty, covering any defect in the product material itself, for instance a shingle or tile. The period of coverage varies by product and manufacturer, as well. For instance, the manufacturer’s warranty for different brands of asphalt shingles can vary from 20 years to a lifetime.

Workmanship Warranty

What homeowners much less understand is that some contractors also offer a workmanship warranty, useful to apply against potential labor costs associated with any repairs and replacements. Remember, just as when you buy health or car insurance, it’s unfortunately not “the best of all possible worlds”. Stuff happens.  Yet many consumers unwittingly omit this type of coverage, not realizing that the standard manufacturing warranties do not usually cover labor costs should anything happen. Workmanship warranties are an important protection for addressing the simple but occasional human errors of even the best installers, namely, using too few nails or the occasional improperly fastened nail.
Using the popular Art-Loc® asphalt shingle roof as an example, we show these two different forms of roof warranty in the table below. The manufacturer’s warranty is shown in blue and the different forms of workmanship warranty in green. (Note, for simplicity, we show three levels, from basic, average to premium work services. In reality, there are many “shades in between”.)  In a basic package, no workmanship warranty whatsoever is provided. As they say, “don’t go there”.

Note that while the coverage time for workmanship warranties varies considerably, some premium service packages offer coverage up to one, two, up to ten years.
So in asking your roofing contractor about their workmanship coverage, make sure to find out if the warranty area covers also the chimney leaks and any wall flashing associated with the project. Finally, ask the contractor if the work warranty can be transferred should you sell your house. (Yup, that’s money in your pocket. This feature can be a valuable bargaining chip in your final house sales negotiation.)
Our simple warranty table shown above shows that at Sherriff-Goslin, we offer the industry’s highest level of workmanship warranty for our ART-LOC® (as well as StormMaster®) asphalt shingles. In fact, our offering is so unique that chances are, if you search “10 Year Free Service Guarantee”, the Sherriff-Goslin company comes right up at the top of the page!

"10 Year Free Service Guarantee" Google Inquiry

How can Sherriff-Goslin Afford to Offer a Free Service Warranty?

Many customers ask us this. It seems almost too good to be true, eh?  Even the roof industry authority, the National Roofing Contractor’s Association describes in their Consumer Advisory Bulletin that many companies who offered these long-term labor warranties have gone out of business. So how do we do it?
Our secret is simple. We can afford to give our homeowner customers this benefit with certain popular roof products due to three reasons, a few completely outside our competitors reach:

• The high quality of the mature, tried and true Art-Loc and StormMaster® roofing products, products we’ve worked with for decades, which means we can minimize the human errors to the best of our ability.
• Related, at Sherriff-Goslin, we engage not just in workmanship – but roof craftsmanship. Simply put, we build it right the first time, so we minimize the need for repairs later. (Now that’s good for you and us!)
• Third, we are one of the few roofing contractors with over 100 years of experience. Simply put, we have monitored many generations of roofs to understand their durability and susceptibility to repair.

So don’t put your head in that sand when it comes to reviewing your roof warranty. You’re already one leg up now after reading this article: Ask about your roof warranties. That’s plural!

In Part two of “The Most Important Questions to Ask about Your Roof Warranty”. We’ll be covering common mistaken assumptions people make about warranties and who you can trust to turn for help.

UPDATE: Part 2 has been posted HERE.