Understanding the Difference: Labor vs. Material Warranties on Your Roof

I’m not sure there is any question in residential construction that causes more confusion, frustration, and bad reviews than understanding the difference between a labor warranty compared to a material warranty when dealing with your roof or siding. At Four Seasons Kanga Roof, we want to clear up the confusion and give you the peace of mind you deserve. 

A roof material warranty covers qualifying defects in the roofing products and is typically provided by the manufacturer. A roof labor or workmanship warranty is provided by the roofing contractor and covers certain issues related to how the roof was installed. 

The important difference is who is responsible and what is covered. A manufacturer’s warranty generally doesn’t cover installation errors, while a contractor’s workmanship warranty may not cover defective roofing materials. 

Understanding these differences before replacing your roof can help you compare roofing contractors and know what protection you’re actually receiving. 

At Four Seasons Kanga Roof, we believe homeowners should understand exactly what their warranty covers before signing a roofing or siding contract. Here’s what Michigan homeowners should know.

The Material Warranty: Straight from the Manufacturer

A material warranty comes directly from the product manufacturer. For products like vinyl siding and asphalt shingles, you often hear them described as “lifetime warranties.”  While some older products may be limited to 20, 30, or 40 years, most products today carry the “lifetime” label.

It is crucial for homeowners in Michigan to know that a lifetime warranty legally caps out at 50 years in our state. So, in reality, they are 50-year warranties, not truly a lifetime.

What Does a Roof Material Warranty Cover? :

• Defects Only: These warranties only cover you against material defects. They do not protect the consumer against normal wear and tear from being an exterior product. Many consumers mistakenly believe a lifetime warranty protects them for as long as they own the home, which is simply not the case.
• Pro-Rated Value: Material warranties are normally pro-rated over time. As products age and their usefulness diminishes, the value of the warranty coverage decreases. 
• Exclusions: The warranty only covers the shingles or siding itself. It does not offer coverage for the components installed beneath it, such as underlayments (felt paper, ice and water shield, house wrap, etc.). If an issue arises with an underlying component, the material warranty will not cover it.

The Full System Exception:

The one exception to these limitations is a manufacturer’s “full system warranty.” These are comprehensive system warranties that typically

• Have defined time limitations.
• Require certified installers by the manufacturer (like Four Seasons Kanga Roof).
• Are subject to manufacturer inspection.

The great news is that these full system warranties, like the 4-Star Shingle Warranty from CertainTeed, generally cover the full replacement cost of the entire system and all components for the entire term of the warranty.

The Roof Labor Warranty: From Your Contractor

A labor warranty, also known as a workmanship warranty, is generally provided directly by your roofing contractor. This is where you, as the consumer, need to be a legal eagle when reviewing your contract. You must demand the contractor put in writing what is covered, what is not, and for how long.

A major red flag is seeing a phrase like “Lifetime shingle warranty and 20-year labor warranty.” This is often a sign of an amateur contractor. If you ask what is covered, a vague answer like, “Well, my work. I’m providing a warranty for the work being installed,” is not enough. Notice they did not specify that they warranty the work to be correct, or what they are liable for if it is not right.

Remember: Your signed home improvement contract is your only legally binding piece of information to hold your contractor accountable. If it is not written out, it does not exist. If they cannot produce a document explicitly stating what their labor warranty covers, that is a major red flag for your roof replacement or siding replacement project.

The Rare Combined System and Craftsmanship Warranty:

In some rare cases, manufacturers will warranty both the system and the installation craftsmanship for a period of time. A prime example is CertainTeed’s 5-Star System Warranty, which warranties the system for 50 years and the installation craftsmanship for 20 years. However, very few roofing companies hold the necessary certifications to even offer these, and if you purchase one, you should always receive it in writing once the project is complete.

Material vs. Labor Warranty: A Full Comparison 

The key takeaway: A long manufacturer warranty does not automatically mean your roof is fully protected against installation problems. Homeowners should understand both the material warranty and the contractor’s workmanship warranty before choosing a roofing system.

The Kanga Roof Difference: Our “No Blame Game Guarantee!”

One of the most frustrating situations for a homeowner is discovering a roofing problem and being caught between the contractor and manufacturer over who is responsible.

Here is the great news for homeowners in Metro Detroit: at Four Seasons Kanga Roof, we offer a guarantee to protect you from ever having to worry about these types of concerns. That is our “No Blame Game Guarantee!”

The beauty of this guarantee is that we will guarantee both our craftsmanship (don’t worry, we spell it out and put it in writing on every contract) and the materials themselves.

This way, you never get into a situation where your contractor is blaming the manufacturer and the manufacturer is blaming the contractor, leaving you to pick up the bill and endure hours of frustration.

If you want a new roof or siding and want total peace of mind, then Four Seasons Kanga Roof has you covered. Go ahead and give our team a call now at 586-488-4931 or book your inspection directly online by CLICKING HERE.

We hope this article helped clear up the messy game of material vs. labor warranties.

 Sincerely,

Bill Burkhardt, Jr.

VP of Marketing – Four Seasons Kanga Roof