08/19/2026
When homeowners ask about the warranty on a new roof, they usually mean the shingle warranty from the manufacturer.
That one is real, and it matters. But there is a second warranty that decides more of your actual experience: the workmanship warranty from the company that installs it. Here is why the distinction matters.
A manufacturer warranty covers a defect in the product. It does not cover a roof that leaks because it was installed wrong, and installation error is behind most of the roof problems we've seen in 35-plus years.
So the questions to ask are: who stands behind the labor, for how long, and will that company still be here to honor it?
A great shingle installed poorly is a leak waiting to happen. Ask about both warranties, and pay attention to which one the contractor would rather not discuss!