Understand roofing warranties

AskARoofer Expert Henry Staggs shares what every homeowner and business owner should know about warranties.

When you invest in a roof, whether it’s for your home or a commercial property, you’re making a big commitment. A good roof protects everything underneath it, and you want to know that protection will last. That’s where warranties come in — but not all warranties are created equal. Over the years, I’ve seen a lot of property owners get tripped up by fine print or unclear coverage. Let’s break it down so you can make the right decision for your property. 

Material warranties versus workmanship warranties

There are two main types of roofing warranties, and it’s important to know the difference: 

1 - Material (manufacturer) warranties 

These come directly from the manufacturer of your shingles, tile, foam or coatings. They cover defects in the product itself. If the roofing material fails because it was made wrong, the manufacturer takes responsibility. 

Now, not all material warranties are equal. Some just promise the material won’t fall apart, while premium ones — like an NDL (No Dollar Limit) warranty on commercial roofing — go much further. With an NDL warranty, the manufacturer inspects the installation, and if there’s ever a covered problem, they’ll fix it at no cost to you. No limits, no caps. Best of all, that warranty stays in place even if your contractor disappears down the road. That’s a big deal. 
 
2 - Workmanship (contractor) warranties

This warranty comes from the contractor. It covers the labor and how the roof was put together — things like flashing, sealing or proper fastening. If a roof leaks because of poor workmanship, this is the coverage that matters.

The truth is, workmanship warranties vary wildly. Some companies only offer a year or two. Personally, I think that’s not good enough. A roof is meant to last, and your workmanship warranty should reflect that. That’s why at The Arizona Roofer, we back our work with extended workmanship coverage — because we believe in doing things right the first time.

How we protect our clients even if we're gone

Here’s something most people never think about: what happens if your contractor goes out of business? That’s a scary thought when you’ve just dropped thousands on a new roof. We’ve built in protections so our clients are never left hanging. 

• For commercial roofing - We offer manufacturer-backed NDL warranties. These aren’t just a piece of paper — the manufacturer actually inspects our work. That layer of accountability means your roof has protection that doesn’t depend on us still being around.
• For residential roofing - We’re proud members of directorii. This adds a level of security that most Arizona homeowners have never even heard of: 
  • Your deposit is insured up to $20,000. If anything were to happen to us before work starts, you’re not out that money. 
  • Plus, directorii backs our workmanship warranty up to $250,000. That covers code violations, workmanship defects and more — even if The Arizona Roofer wasn’t around anymore.

That’s real protection, and it’s one of the biggest reasons clients choose us.

How to navigate roofing warranties like a pro

When you’re looking at roofing bids, don’t just compare prices. Compare protection. Ask these questions: 

• Who actually backs the warranty — the contractor or the manufacturer? 
• Does the warranty stay valid if the contractor goes out of business? 
• Is the coverage capped or truly unlimited? 

Those questions can save you tens of thousands of dollars down the road. 

Final thoughts

At the end of the day, a roof is only as good as the materials, the workmanship and the protection behind it. That’s why we go the extra mile — so our clients know they’re covered, no matter what.

If your roof is more than six years old, it’s time for a professional inspection. If it’s over ten, you’re already overdue. Let’s take a look before small issues become big, expensive problems. 

Call or text me today at (480) 435-5190 or visit www.thearizonaroofer.com to schedule your free inspection.