When you invest in a new roof, you are paying for two things: the materials (the shingles, vents, and wood) and the labor (the skill required to put them all together). While a manufacturer protects you against a defective product, the workmanship warranty is what protects you against human error.
Understanding what workmanship warranties cover is often the most critical part of a roofing project. After all, even the most expensive, “indestructible” shingle will fail if it is nailed in the wrong spot or if the flashing is installed upside down. This guide explores the nuances of labor-based protection and why the contractor you choose is just as important as the shingle you pick.
The Core Concept: Protecting the Process
A workmanship warranty is a written guarantee provided by your roofing contractor. It explicitly states that the company stands behind the quality of their installation. If your roof develops a problem due to how it was built rather than how the materials were made the contractor is responsible for fixing it at no cost to you.
Unlike material warranties, which can last 50 years, workmanship warranties typically range from 1 year to 25 years. Some “Elite” or “Master” certified contractors may even offer lifetime labor guarantees.
What Workmanship Warranties Cover: The Specifics
Most homeowners don’t realize how many moving parts go into a roof. A failure in any one of these areas is usually covered under a workmanship guarantee.
1. Incorrect Shingle Attachment
Shingles have a specific “nail line” designated by the manufacturer. If a roofer is moving too quickly and “high-nails” the shingle (placing the nail above the reinforced strip), the shingle isn’t properly gripped. Over time, or during a stiff breeze, these shingles will slide right off the roof. Because this is a mistake in technique, it falls squarely under workmanship.
2. Flashing Failures
Flashing is the metal sheeting installed in high-risk areas like valleys, chimneys, and where the roof meets a wall. This is the most common site for leaks. If a contractor re-uses old, rusted flashing or fails to properly “counter-flash” a chimney with fresh sealant, the resulting water damage is an installation error.
3. Improper Starter Strip Installation
The first row of shingles at your eaves is the “starter strip.” It is designed to lock the rest of the roof down against the wind. If this isn’t installed correctly, a minor windstorm can peel your roof back like a banana skin. What workmanship warranties cover includes the labor to re-secure these critical perimeter points.
4. Poor Attic Ventilation Setup
This is a technical area where many amateur roofers fail. A roof needs to breathe. If a contractor installs a ridge vent but forgets to cut the hole in the roof deck, or fails to ensure the soffit vents are clear, the roof will overheat. This “baking” effect destroys shingles. If the contractor designed the ventilation system incorrectly, they should be responsible for the repair.
Why the “Labor Only” Aspect Matters
It is important to understand the distinction between the “fix” and the “parts.” If your roof leaks because a roofer forgot to caulk a pipe boot, the workmanship warranty covers the roofer’s time to come back out, the fuel for the truck, and the labor to apply the fix.
In some cases, if the installation error was so bad that it ruined the shingles (for example, if they all blew off due to poor nailing), a high-quality workmanship warranty will cover the cost of the replacement shingles as well, because the product wouldn’t have been “wasted” if the labor had been correct.
What Is Usually Excluded?
To understand what workmanship warranties cover, you must also understand the boundaries. These warranties are not “homeowners insurance.”
- Acts of God: If a tree falls on your house or a 100-mph hurricane rips the roof off, that isn’t the contractor’s fault. That is a matter for your insurance company.
- Secondary Damage: Most workmanship warranties cover the repair of the roof itself, but they may not cover the “consequential damages.” For example, if a roof leak ruins your $5,000 Italian leather sofa, the contractor will fix the roof, but they might not pay for the sofa. (This is why it’s important to check if your contractor has “Full Liability Insurance”).
- Third-Party Alterations: If you hire a different company to install solar panels or a satellite dish after the roof is done, your original workmanship warranty is usually voided in those areas.
The “Tail-Light” Warranty Warning
In the roofing industry, there is a term called the “Tail-Light Warranty.” This refers to a contractor whose warranty lasts only as long as you can see their truck’s tail-lights driving away from your house.
This is why the stability of the company is the most important factor. A 25-year workmanship warranty from a company that has only been in business for six months is a gamble. If they go out of business next year, your warranty disappears with them. When researching what workmanship warranties cover, always ask:
- How long have you been in business under this name?
- Are you a “Certified” installer for the manufacturer?
- Do you have a dedicated service department for warranty calls?
Enhanced Warranties: The Ultimate Hybrid
There is a way to get the manufacturer to back the contractor’s labor. These are called “Enhanced Warranties.”
Manufacturers like GAF or CertainTeed offer programs where, if you use a “Master Elite” or “Select ShingleMaster” contractor, the manufacturer will actually guarantee the contractor’s workmanship. This is the “Maximum Protection” scenario. If your contractor goes out of business, the manufacturer will still hire a different company to fix the installation error at no cost to you. This is the only way to truly “future-proof” your roof.
How to Maintain Your Protection
A workmanship warranty is a contract, and you have a role to play in keeping it valid.
- Documentation: Keep your original signed contract and any photos of the installation.
- Regular Inspections: Many contractors require a “check-up” every few years to keep the warranty active.
- Prompt Reporting: If you see a leak, report it immediately. If you wait six months and the small leak becomes a massive mold problem, the contractor may only be liable for the initial leak repair, not the mold remediation.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, your roof is only as good as the person holding the nail gun. While shingles provide the “shield,” the workmanship provides the “strength.” By understanding what workmanship warranties cover, you can move forward with your roof replacement knowing that your investment is protected from the inside out.
Don’t be afraid to ask for a copy of the workmanship warranty before you sign the contract. A proud, professional roofer will be more than happy to show you exactly how they stand behind their work.
