With extensive experience in the commercial roofing industry, we know that not all warranties are the same or even equal. That’s why we’ve made it a priority to provide our customers with the most comprehensive manufacturer-backed Labor, Material, and Workmanship warranties on the market.

But what if you’ve never stopped to take notice of what your warranty covers or the difference in warranty coverage from one bid to another?

In this blog, we’ll share 4 FAQs regarding commercial roofing warranties to provide you with helpful insights for when you’re reviewing the warranty for your next project.

1. What types of commercial roofing warranties are there?

There are typically three common types of warranties available in the commercial roofing market. These include:

• Material Only Warranty
• Labor and Material Warranty
• Labor, Material, and Workmanship Warranty

2. What is the difference between these 3 common types of warranties?

Material Only warranties only cover the material on your roof and nothing else. So, if the material on your roof failed, you would be sent more roofing material in buckets or barrels. However, the actual removal of non-performing materials and installation of the new materials would NOT be covered. Further, the material would only be provided if it was deemed chemically defective. It would not be provided if someone installed it outside of manufacturer specifications.

With this type of warranty, it’s important to be aware that you could be left in a situation with unexpected expenses and little to no support (besides material) for the well-being of your property’s roof.

Labor and Material warranties cover the material on your roof and the labor needed to resolve the issue. While this provides more coverage than a Material Only warranty, you could still run into issues if the manufacturer of the system doesn’t believe they are at fault. They will assess if the material was chemically defective or if was installed improperly by the contractor. This could lead them to not honor your Labor and Material warranty, it really depends on the situation and the explicit issue.

Labor, Material, and Workmanship warranties offer the most coverage because they cover the material of your system, the labor needed to address issues, and the workmanship that was done when the system was originally installed. So, with this type of warranty, you know you're supported and don’t need to worry about whether your warranty will cover something. This type of warranty requires the manufacturer and the contractor to work together before, during, and after the project to ensure the right system is installed and to verify it was done at, or above, specification requirements. Manufacturers only provide this option to a very small group of elite contractors. They make sure the contractor has years of experience, has a history of quality and client satisfaction, and is financially stable. They partner only with contractors that have proven to do things right and to stand behind their commitments.

3. Does the amount of testing done before, during, and after installation affect the warranty?

The amount of testing done before, during, and after installation does affect the amount of warranty coverage you receive. For example, you’re able to get more coverage with a Labor, Material, and Workmanship warranty, because it requires additional testing and inspection. To offer this type of warranty, your partner must have specialty certifications, perform testing at all project stages, and have a third-party inspection once the system is installed.

With these additional technical data points, you can also have more peace of mind that your system has been installed to the highest quality.

4. How do I know I'm getting a good warranty?

A “Good” warranty can be subjective based on what’s most important to you. So, you’ll know you’re getting a good warranty if it covers the things that are important to you. However, if you’re unsure if you’re getting a good warranty, you may want to compare different warranties you’ve been offered during your bidding process. You can also consult with a trusted roofing partner you’ve previously worked with.

Want to know about the warranties White Hat offers?

If you want to know more about the warranties we offer at White Hat, our team is always available to chat.

Simply call us at 937.909.9030 or contact us via email. You can also follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook to learn more about us and our work.