Service
Roofing Guarantees Explained
Three different things get called 'a guarantee' in roofing quotes, and they protect you against completely different failures. It's worth knowing which one you're being offered.
- Workmanship guarantee — covers how it was fitted
- Manufacturer warranty — covers the product itself
- Insurance-backed cover — survives the contractor
- Maintenance conditions can void cover
- Get it in writing, with the specification
- Keep it with your Building Regulations paperwork
The three types
A workmanship guarantee is the contractor's promise that the installation was done correctly, and it's the one most likely to matter — the majority of roof failures are installation-related. A manufacturer warranty covers the product against defect, and usually depends on the product being installed to their specification. Insurance-backed cover is a third-party policy that continues to protect you if the contractor ceases trading.
What typically voids a guarantee
Third parties working on the roof afterwards — solar installers, aerial fitters, window cleaners walking the covering. Alterations that change ventilation. And, on flat roofs particularly, no maintenance at all: most systems assume outlets are kept clear. None of that is a catch; it's just worth knowing before you assume you're covered.
- ▸Other trades working on the covering
- ▸Alterations affecting ventilation or drainage
- ▸Blocked outlets and gutters on flat roofs
- ▸Storm damage — that's an insurance matter
What to ask for
Ask for the guarantee terms in writing before you accept a quote, not after the work. Ask what it covers, what it excludes, and how long it runs. Ask for the manufacturer product data for the membrane and covering, and keep everything with your Building Regulations certificate — it's the pack a buyer's solicitor will ask for.
FAQs
What guarantee do you provide?+
A written workmanship guarantee, plus the applicable manufacturer product warranties. Terms are set out in the quote so you can read them before deciding.
Does a guarantee cover storm damage?+
No. Storm damage is an insurance claim — a guarantee covers defective workmanship or product, not weather events.
Is a longer guarantee better?+
Only if the company will still be there. A realistic guarantee from an established contractor beats a headline number from a new one.
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