Buying a new roof is a big purchase for homeowners. A roof warranty gives you peace of mind that you will not face any major or minor roofing problems as a result of the roof installation. Your warranty covers roof repairs and replacement if needed. Many roofing warranties also include emergency roof repair services at no extra cost, as long as you notify your warranty provider within the required time. Most roofing companies offer different deals and discounts to clients who require a long-term roofing warranty. Here are some important tips to help you choose the right roofing warranty provider for your home.
Research the different kinds of roofing materials available and decide on one that best suits your needs. Some manufacturers provide better warranties when the roofing material is from their own stock. If this is the case, the manufacturer may offer you a discount, as they are already assured that you will get quality service and products.
Many roofing warranties will offer a pro-rated warranty, which means that the manufacturer pays for the repairs only. A pro-rated warranty can be useful, as it helps you save money on the repairs since the manufacturer takes on only the labor expenses in the event of a defective roof installation. However, many homeowners do not like the idea of paying a higher amount upfront for a pro-rated warranty, as they feel that the warranty should cover the repair costs completely. The warranty provider usually agrees to such a condition, but just to be sure, do some research before taking up the roofing contractor with the manufacturer.
Another thing to consider is the extent of the warranty. Most roof warranties will not cover minor roof damage. For instance, a leaky faucet will not be covered under a roof warranty. Roofers work on houses every day, and most of them deal with such minor roof damages as a part of their job. Thus, you need to understand the extent of the coverage provided in the roofing contract.
There are also warranties for roofing materials. While most warranties specify the type of roofing material to be covered, few provide coverage for other materials. Therefore, you need to understand the types of materials included in the full system warranty offered by the manufacturer. It is important to read through the fine print carefully to determine what materials are covered and what is not. Other warranties may offer coverage for materials that were installed in your home, including shingles and tiles, but these are rarely covered in full.
One major drawback with purchasing a warranty for roofing materials is the possibility of conflict between the warranty and the manufacturer’s terms and conditions. For instance, if you are told that the warranty does not cover roof replacement because the manufacturer prefers that you buy additional roofing materials from them, you should ask questions about that. You must also be careful not to allow your warranty provider to influence you when it comes to choosing quality roofing materials. A good warranty will not force you to choose inferior products to get a better warranty or pay more for it.
As part of the workmanship warranty, the contract should also detail which repairs will be covered by the warranty. Usually, the policy will detail a list of workmanship repairs that are covered under the warranty. However, many manufacturers have been known to include other covered workmanship repairs in the warranty, such as leaks in the roof, missing tiles, broken shingles, missing nails, damaged finishes, chipped paint, missing vinyl flooring, or a host of other roofing problems. If you work with a contractor that has already secured this type of added workmanship repairs in the warranty, your chances of having problems with those repairs are slim to none.
The final component to consider in obtaining a roof system warranty is whether or not the warranty includes coverage for roof repairs. Almost all contracts will outline a list of repairs that will be covered, including roof repairs, flashings, roof paint, sealants, and roof coatings. It is important to ensure that the roofing contractor working on your home has secured these types of additional roofing repairs in their contract. Without these repairs, the warranty will no longer apply.