Questions to ask about a roof warranty

One roof may have several warranties

A roof may carry manufacturer material coverage, an enhanced system warranty, and contractor workmanship terms. Each has a different issuer, covered event, remedy, duration, exclusion, and notice process.

A checklist to use

• Identify the company issuing each warranty. Identify the legal company issuing each document rather than treating the contractor, manufacturer, and warranty program as interchangeable.
• Ask what products and labor the remedy includes. Ask whether the remedy includes replacement material, tear-off, disposal, accessories, labor, or only a prorated material amount under stated conditions.
• Read registration, transfer, maintenance, and notice requirements. Read product eligibility, contractor requirements, registration, transfer, maintenance, ventilation, notice, and claim-procedure terms.
• Keep the version in effect on the installation date. Keep the version effective on the installation date, the registration record, proof of products installed, final invoice, and workmanship document.

A long term is not a complete warranty comparison

Compare the first years, later proration, covered components, exclusions, labor treatment, transfer rules, and who must be contacted. The largest number on the brochure may not describe the most useful remedy.