Roofing Warranties Explained: What You Need to Know

Let’s be honest: getting a new roof isn’t something you do every day, and it’s not cheap either. So when you’re signing off on that big investment, you want to know you’re covered if anything goes wrong. But then you’re handed a stack of paperwork full of words like “warranty,” “guarantee,” and “indemnity,” and it can all feel a bit much. What does it actually mean? And will you really be protected if there’s a cracked tile or mysterious leak a few years down the line?

If you’ve ever found yourself scratching your head about roofing warranties, you’re certainly not the only one. The world of guarantees can feel muddled and intimidating. But once you know the basics, it gets a lot simpler. In this guide, we’ll talk you through the key facts in everyday English, what the different warranties are, what they do (and don’t) actually cover, and the main things to look out for. We’ll help you avoid the usual pitfalls and leave you confident about what you’re signing up for. No need for a law degree, just straightforward advice for everyday homeowners.

The Two Main Types of Roofing Warranties

Whenever you have a new roof fitted from a professional roofer such as Point Roofing, you’ll nearly always get two separate types of cover. They might sound similar, but they safeguard you in different ways.

1. The Manufacturer’s Warranty (for Materials)

This comes directly from whoever makes your roofing materials, whether you have lovely Welsh slate, old-school clay tiles, hardy concrete, or something modern for a flat roof.

• What does it actually cover? Think of this as a promise that the materials themselves won’t suddenly go faulty. For example, if a whole batch of tiles starts breaking up far too soon, or your slates start to flake years before they should, the manufacturer will send out replacements.
• How long does it last? It depends on what you’ve chosen. You might get a whopping 75 to 100 years for top-notch slate, 30–50 years for solid concrete tiles, and around 20 years for many flat roofing membranes.
• Anything to watch for? This warranty almost always covers just the replacement of materials, not the labour. So if your warranty kicks in, you’ll get new tiles, but you may need to fork out for someone to actually fit them.

2. The Contractor’s Warranty (for Workmanship)

This is the guarantee from the roofers who actually carry out the work for you. In many ways, this one matters most day-to-day.

• What does it actually cover? It covers anything to do with how well the job was done, missed steps, dodgy fitting, poor sealing, and so on. Most roof problems in reality come down to installation, not bad tiles. So if a leak crops up because a join wasn’t properly sealed, or tiles slip because they weren’t fixed right, this is the warranty that helps.
• How long will it protect you? Most reputable roofers like Roofing Wimbledon in London offer 10 years as standard, sometimes longer, especially when an insurance company backs them up. Just be wary of any “lifetime guarantee” find out what they actually mean by that!
• What’s the risk? If the company who did your roof disappears, the warranty isn’t much use unless there’s insurance behind it.

What’s an Insurance-Backed Guarantee (IBG)?

Think of an IBG as your backup plan for if the roofing firm goes belly-up for any reason. Your roof springs a leak after a few years, but the company you hired has closed its doors. If your guarantee is insurance-backed, you don’t get left out in the cold: you ring up the insurance provider, and they’ll send someone out to put things right, up to a certain amount, of course.

It’s worth asking any roofer you’re thinking of hiring whether their guarantee is insurance-backed. If they’re a member of something like the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) or CompetentRoofer, chances are an IBG comes as standard. It’s a good sign they’re thinking of the customer i.e. you!

Mind the Small Print, What Isn’t Covered?

No warranty will cover absolutely everything. Every policy has its own list of what’s not included, so it pays to have a quick look through before you stash the paperwork away.

What Can Invalidate Your Warranty?

• Incorrect installation: Your roof has to be fitted using the manufacturer’s approved methods. If corners are cut, or the wrong fixings or techniques are used, you could lose your protection, even if it’s not your fault. Always choose a contractor with a good reputation who knows what they’re doing.
• Getting someone else in for repairs: If you bring in a different tradesperson for a quick fix, or try to DIY a leak, your warranty could go out the window. The same goes for adding aerials, solar panels or roof windows, always check with your original installer first.
• Skipping routine maintenance: Everyone is expected to do some basic upkeep, like clearing out gutters so water doesn’t back up and cause trouble. If you ignore the gutters and it leads to a problem, you likely won’t be covered.
• Weather extremes (“Acts of God”): Roof warranties almost never cover the after-effects of wild storms, falling trees or really severe weather. That’s where your home insurance should step in instead.
• Overzealous cleaning: It’s tempting to blast moss or dirt off with a pressure washer, but this does more harm than good and could void your warranty.
• Walking on the roof: Unless the paperwork expressly says so, you’re not covered for any damage from foot traffic so leave roof scrambling to the professionals.

Getting the Most Out of Your Warranty: Simple Tips

Just a few easy habits will help you hang on to your warranty and save a lot of faff if you ever need to claim.

Choose Your Roofer Wisely

The best protection starts with a good contractor. Look for someone who:

• Is signed up to a trusted trade association (like NFRC)
• Knows how to fit your specific materials to the book
• Writes everything down, especially what warranty you’re getting
• Can provide an IBG as part of the deal

Save Your Paperwork

When the roof is finished, keep together:

• The paid invoice for the job
• The written warranty your roofer gave you
• Your IBG certificate
• The manufacturer’s material warranty
• Any “before and after” photos

It’s just good sense and making a claim (or selling your home later on) is far easier if you’ve got all the details handy.

Look After Your Roof

It sounds obvious, but a bit of prevention goes a long way. Read your warranty docs, and tick off tasks like:

• Emptying the gutters at least once or twice a year
• Looking out for anything odd on the roof, from safely on the ground
• Cutting back trees and branches before they start rubbing tiles loose

If you keep a note of when you did these jobs, even better. It’s helpful if you ever do need to claim!

If Something Goes Wrong, Act Fast

• Get in touch with the roofer as soon as possible, don’t try to fix things yourself.
• Snap a few clear photos of the problem (inside and outside if you can, but only if it’s safe).
• Point out the guarantee in case there’s any grey area.
• Use the IBG if your original company isn’t around anymore.
• If you hit a dead end, try the material manufacturer, especially if it looks like a product fault.

Your Warranty Is a Team Effort

A good roofing warranty is like a pact between you, your roofer, and the manufacturer. Their job is to provide proper materials and install them to a high standard; yours is simply to look after your roof and keep on top of the basics.

If everyone does their bit, you’ll have a roof that keeps you warm, dry, and worry-free for decades and if you do run into a problem, you’ll know exactly where you stand. Read the paperwork, choose who installs your roof with care, do your little bit of home maintenance, and keep those documents close at hand. That way, you’ll be fully covered and can rest a whole lot easier, whatever the Great British weather throws at us.