There are many types of roof warranties out there. While some companies only cover manufacturer defects, other options might include installing coverage.
Learning about companies offering roofing warranties and their benefits and drawbacks will help you choose the right one. You’ll also need to know the yearly costs of buying a warranty.
Luckily, there are various roofing warranty types, each with a varying monthly cost in the $29 to $90 price range. But don’t forget to factor in an additional fee, as these can cost another $75 to $100 on average.
Let’s take a closer look at the ins and outs of roof warranty, what prices to expect, and the specific things they cover.
How Long Are Most Roof Warranties?
The length of your roof warranty will mostly depend on your contractor and manufacturer.
Each manufacturer sets up a different warranty duration for their roofing products. These can vary wildly and can even be overwritten by a contractor’s warranty.
Some averages include:
Asphalt roofing – 30-50 years
Wood or cedar – 20-40 years
Slate or tile – 50 years and up
Metal roofs – 30-50 years
As you can see, manufacturer warranties vary significantly depending on the material. Of course, the contractor you choose for installation also matters.
A warranty from a contractor (usually called a workmanship warranty) ensures your roof is covered from installation mistakes for an average period of 2-5 years, though the general range can be much wider,
ranging from 1-10 years.
Some contractors even offer lifetime warranties. Tesla, for example, offers an “infinite” warranty after installing their solar-powered roof shingles.
As with any other warranty, you’ll want to weigh what your options cover. Duration isn’t the only measure of a good roofing warranty.
Average Total Yearly Cost Of A Roof Warranty
Before going ahead and getting a warranty if you don’t already have one, you’ll want to consider the average pricing range for material, contractor workmanship, and extended manufacturer warranties.
Roofing Material Warranty
Roofing warranty’s yearly average costs can be difficult to divide into annual sums. This is because they offer protection through a one-time payment included when buying the materials and completing the installation process.
For example, asphalt shingles for your roof can cost between $70 and $250 per square meter.
However, you can also purchase a roof warranty from a third-party company. Each warranty is specific and will depend on your chosen material, roof age, and current state. There isn’t a standard price, but you could look at $120 to $600 yearly.
Did you know? Many think that a “lifetime” warranty refers to the lifetime of the buyer. However, many companies actually mean the expected lifetime of the product instead. This ambiguity can be an important detail!
Roofing Contractor Workmanship Warranties
Besides manufacturer warranties, you’ll also want to consider roofing contractor workmanship warranties. Though shorter at two to five years, they play an important role in protection against installation defects or mistakes.
As with the above example, contractor warranties are included in the roof installation price.
When it comes to third-party companies, it may be challenging to find one offering a contractor warranty, as they usually specialize in manufacturer defects. You can probably expect a price range of $10 to $480 annually.
Extended Roof Manufacturer Warranties
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Extended manufacturer warranties go beyond the coverage of the original warranties. This could be a good option for those who want extra peace of mind.
While some roofing companies will come with an extended warranty, you can also contact a third-party warranty company. When going with a warranty company, you’re looking at an annual price range of $100 to $500 yearly.
Top 5 Home Warranty Companies That Include Roof Coverage
| Roof Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Warranty Company | Monthly Pricing |
| Choice Home Warrenty | $55 |
| Liberty Home Gaurd | $49-$60 |
| Select Home Warranty | $58.25 |
| American Home Shield | $29-$75 |
| AFC Home Club | $51.25-$62.50 |
Home warranties typically cover major house system repairs and replacements. Appliances like dryers, washers, plumbing, and air conditioning all fall into this coverage.
However, roofs, pumps, or swimming pools are typically listed as optional home systems.
It’s also worth mentioning that these home warranties won’t always cover major issues like roof leaks. Others might not include all roof types, such as metal roofs, eco-friendly options, or any attachments like solar panels.
If you want to use a third-party home warranty company, ask them about their roof coverage before committing.
Let’s take a look at the top 5 options.
Choice Home Warranty
Choice Home Warranty suits anyone looking for overall appliance and home system coverage. They include replacements, repairs, and two different coverage options with many add-ons and additional options.
When choosing Choice Home warranty, you can either pay a monthly fee of $55 or an annual payment of $660. The service includes an additional fee of $85.
While it’s an excellent option for overall home systems covering ductwork, AC systems, ceiling and exhaust fans, electrical systems, heating systems, and more, it sadly doesn’t cover roof maintenance, cracked or missing material, replacement, or roof accessories.
Did you know? The concept of a warranty is as old as ancient Sumer. Archeologists uncovered a 4000-year-old tablet promising compensation for a faulty item.
Liberty Home Guard
Liberty Home Guard is another home systems warranty company covering repairs and replacements. You can choose from their plans for a monthly fee of between $49 and $60 and an additional service fee that can be anywhere from $65 and $125.
They do indeed cover roof leaks, but this is more of an add-on rather than a main systems benefit. Instead, they focus on air conditioning, ductwork, and plumbing.
When it comes to appliances, they replace items from normal wear and tear, regardless of age. When it comes to pricing, they’re a bit more on the expensive side. You can choose from three basic plans.
The first is for appliances, the second for systems, and the third combines the two.
Select Home Warranty
Select Home Warranty might be the best option for extensive roof coverage. They offer a $1 daily plan and cover comprehensive home systems, including free roof leaking coverage. With three different plans, the most expensive costs $699 a year.
However, it’s worth noting that their roofing benefits are limited. It only covers leaks over living areas for single-family homes.
That excludes any roof damage over patios. Likewise, Select Home doesn’t cover replacements, cracked shingles, metal shingles, tiles, and gravel.
American Home Shield
American Home Shield is great for homeowners who need pricing flexibility. They’ve also been in the home warranty service for a long time. Homeowners can choose from three general plans, covering a range of home systems and appliance coverage.
Their general pricing range is $350 to $900 per year, depending on your chosen plan. As with other services on this list, they also offer roof leak repairs as an add-on.
Some other home systems and appliances they cover include ductwork, electrical systems, doorbells, interior plumbing, cooling, faucets, kitchen appliances, dishwashers, and dryers.
AFC Home Club
The American 1st Choice Home Club is another good home systems company offering roof warranty protection. This includes regular leaks and wear and tear.
However, it excludes structural issues, faulty installation, or foam roofs. The limit for roof coverage is $2000, which is mostly higher than other options.
Apart from roofing coverage, AFC Home Club generally has two plans: a standard at $51.25 and a comprehensive option at $62.50 monthly. They cover most major systems, including water leaks, heaters, doorbells, and air conditioning.
Do New Homes Come With a Roofing Warranty?
As outlined above, you may have noticed that the roofing coverages for third-party warranty companies can be somewhat limited. They’re also typically listed as additional options to other plans.
Roof warranties are also options for new homes alongside a wide range of other coverages. However, the actual duration and coverage will depend on many factors, such as local regulations, region, and builders.
Most new homes will come with a basic builder’s warranty. Structural elements can last up to 10 years,
while labor, materials, and other systems will be covered from one to five years upon completion.
While this covers the whole house, you’ll still get the regular manufacturer’s roof warranty and a separate installation warranty.
However, ask about the details and price facts on what’s included or excluded within these warranties.
Did you know? Some warranties don’t include shingles installed on the north side of the roof. This is because these shingles are usually exposed to less sunlight, making them more susceptible to growths like moss and moisture damage. However, clauses of this type are usually tucked away in the fine print.
How Do I Find My Roof Warranty?
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You’ll most likely have your roof warranty outlined in a document provided by your house’s builders or roof installers. Ask them about this critical document if you’re replacing your roof or making repairs.
If the process was recently finished, check any documents the installment company gave you, as that’s where the warranty most likely is.
It’s also important to clarify your roof warranty terms before you begin any work on your roof.
If you’ve just recently bought your home, the warranty is most likely among the documents you received upon purchasing.
How Soon After Purchase Is a Roof Warranty Effective?
This will usually depend on the installer. Usually, a manufacturer warranty becomes active from the day of purchase of materials or the day of installation.
An installation warranty likewise becomes active on the day of finished installation in most cases. However, some companies do things differently.
e is an important step.
No maintenance – When you get your new roof, some warranties might require proper and consistent maintenance for the warranty to work.
Roof accessories – Check to see what your warranty says about accessories. Some will become void if you attach solar panels or satellite dishes to your roof.
Unauthorized repairs or cleaning materials – Sometimes, you can’t attempt to repair the roof yourself. Using harsh chemicals for cleaning may also make the warranty void.
Did you know? Roman roof tiles used to be stamped with the insignia of the legion that made it. This was one of the first examples of quality control and roof branding.
Does A Roofing Warranty Cover Interior Damage?
In most cases, roof warranties (by third-party companies) will not cover any interior damage. Still, they will specify roof leaking as the only coverage.
When getting warranties from installers, they’ll typically only cover the replacement of the roof material, not the damage.
If your roof does fail and cause any interior damage, it may be best to contact your insurance company.
They’ll usually cover any damages associated with internal damage. This also goes for damages caused by weather and climate.
Does Roof Warranty Cover Leaks?
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In most cases, third-party companies will only cover roof leaks. If the leaking is because of faulty installation, you may not need a third-party company to cover it. If it’s a manufacturing defect, that’s also something your installer covers.
When noticing damages, consider calling an inspector for the damage. They’ll be able to validate the reason and advise you on the best course of action in regard to your warranties.
Does A Roof Warranty Cover Hail Damage?
Hail damage is generally not covered by any roofing warranty. Any weather-related home damage is usually connected to your insurance. Contact them to see if they cover the service entirely.
Does A Roof Warranty Cover Hurricane Damage?
Like hail, any weather-related damages are covered by your insurance agency rather than your roof warranty. Most will not take any weather-related incidents into account.
Does a Roofing Warranty Transfer to A New Owner?
This generally depends on the installer or third-party company. Some might be transferable and require the old owner to notify the new one of the ongoing warranty.
Do Solar Panels Affect Roof Warranty?
Roof accessories like solar panels definitely can provide an overall roof warranty, especially if the system requires drilling or penetrating the roof’s surface.
In most cases, this will be outlined in the warranty. If not, ask your installer or roof warranty provider about roofing accessories.
Is A Roof Warranty Worth It?
A warranty will generally come with your roof replacement or installation, so in most cases, it is worth it. It gives you peace of mind and protects you from manufacturer defects and installment mistakes.
This may not be the case with third-party warranty companies. While they offer a wide range of home system services, they only cover leaks when it comes to roofing.
They might be the right choice if you
want comprehensive protection for other systems and appliances.
Is a 50-Year-Old Roofing Warranty Worth It?
If you use premium materials for your roof, a 50-year-old warranty can be worth it. Also, with a lifetime warranty, you can rest easy knowing you’re protected after paying for an expensive roofing project.
While these aren’t the norm for most roofing materials, you can ask your installer about an extended manufacturer warranty. These types tend to last longer than the default warranties given once the project is completed.
Protecting Your Home With a Roof Warranty
When you get a new roof, you’ll want to protect yourself in the best possible way. While manufacturer issues are rare, they can still happen, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Most warranties come together with the price of the actual materials and installation. However, homeowners can also get a boost through using third-party warranty companies.
These companies tend to cover many home systems and appliance repairs. They don’t focus on roof issues and usually only cover roof leaks as add-ons to their main plans.
Whenever you repair or install a new roof, make sure to first consider the warranty it offers. On average, it’ll be a 30-year warranty, though 25 years and even 50 years aren’t uncommon.
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For over 20 years Leo has run a successful roofing business in New England, specializing in metal roofing, as well as cool flat roofing technologies. Having replaced and installed hundreds of roofs in New England, Leo has first hand experience with pretty much every residential roofing material and roofing manufacturer available in the US.
