Roof warranties explained: manufacturer versus workmanship coverage
Updated · KeystoneProGuide editorial team
How many warranties does a new roof have?
Usually two, from two different companies. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), the trade's association, says there will be a manufacturer's warranty, which generally covers defects in the roof covering material and can run from 20 years to a lifetime, and a workmanship warranty from the roofing contractor, which typically covers installation and related issues.
The difference matters when something goes wrong. A shingle that fails because of how it was made is a matter for the manufacturer. A leak caused by how it was nailed, flashed or sealed is a matter for the contractor. Each warranty, NRCA says, should state what it covers and what will void it.
How long does workmanship coverage last?
Often only a year or two. NRCA says many contractors offer one or two years of workmanship coverage, and that there is no industry standard. That means a long manufacturer's term on the shingles and a short workmanship term from the installer can sit side by side on the same roof.
For low-slope roofs, the gap can be wider still. NRCA says manufacturers of low-slope roofing materials may not offer material warranties to homeowners at all, so the warranty you are most likely to get on a flat roof is the contractor's.
What can void a roof warranty?
The terms vary from one warranty to the next, so read them before you sign. NRCA and the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), a research organization, both tell homeowners to look at what is covered and at the exclusions that can void coverage, for materials and for workmanship separately.
One condition NRCA names specifically: asphalt shingle manufacturers' warranties may make coverage conditional on minimum ventilation requirements. It suggests checking the manufacturer's ventilation requirements when choosing a shingle. Ask your roofer how its ventilation plan meets them.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) adds two general points that apply to any product warranty. Some warranties require you to return a registration card before you qualify for service. And if specific parts or repairs are not listed as covered, assume they are not.
Can you buy longer coverage?
Often, at a price. Angi's cost survey says contractor warranties typically range from $500 to $2,000, and manufacturer warranties from $500 to upward of $5,000 when they are not included in the base price. Those are prices, not a judgment on whether the coverage is worth it; compare what each would actually cover with the roof's expected life.
The FTC draws a line worth keeping in mind: an extended warranty or service contract costs extra and is sold separately, and it may cover repairs that the original warranty already covers for the same period.
What should you get in writing?
Everything. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department says to get contractor guarantees in writing, along with the total cost, the work and the timetable. The FTC says that if a salesperson makes a spoken promise, such as free repairs, you should get it in writing, because a business might later refuse to honor it otherwise. And Pennsylvania's home improvement law requires the contract itself to be written and signed for any job over $500.
After the job, NRCA says to make sure the contractor gives you the manufacturer's warranty certificate. The FTC suggests keeping a copy of every warranty together with the receipt, which proves the date of purchase and that you are the original owner.
What do the federal warranty rules say?
The FTC's consumer page makes several points that apply to a roof as much as to an appliance:
- When there is a warranty, the law says it must be available for you to read before you buy.
- A manufacturer cannot require you to use specific parts or services to keep coverage, unless it provides them free or has a waiver from the FTC.
- If you report a defect during the warranty period and it is not fixed properly, the company must correct it, even if the warranty expires before it is fixed.
- State laws also create implied warranties, unwritten promises that a product will do what it is supposed to do, which can cover problems a written warranty does not.
What if a warranty claim is refused?
The FTC suggests contacting the seller first, then writing to the manufacturer at the address on the warranty, by certified mail with a return receipt so you can prove it arrived. Keep notes and copies. If the company still does not resolve it, report it to the FTC and to your state attorney general.
In Bucks County, the county's consumer protection office lists warranties that are not honored among the problems it mediates. And under Pennsylvania's home improvement law, the Attorney General says abandoning a project or failing to complete the work is among the practices the law prohibits.
What should you ask before you sign?
Questions to ask a roofer includes the warranty questions, and what happens during a roof replacement covers collecting the paperwork at the end. Roofers serving the area are on the roofers directory page.
Sources
- Resources (frequently asked questions), National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)
- Selecting a Contractor, National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)
- Tips for Hiring a Roofing Contractor, Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)
- Warranties, Federal Trade Commission
- How Much Does Roof Replacement Cost? [2026 Data], Angi
- Shapiro Administration Provides Advice on Claims, Avoiding Scams Following Strong Storms and Flooding, Pennsylvania Insurance Department
- Frequently Asked Questions: Home Improvement Contractor Registration, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
- Consumer Protection/ Weights & Measures, Bucks County