Is there a difference in Roofing Warranties offered by Roofers in Atlanta?

The simple answer to this question is yes, significantly. Let me provide you with some information about how Roofing Warranties work. A Roof 's Warranty has two basic Coverages: Material and Workmanship (labor). I will cover both.

A standard Manufacturers Shingle Warranty states the material is covered for a “lifetime” which by their standard is 50 years (on 3 dimensional/architectural shingles). However, in a standard warranty, the material is only covered 100% for the first 10 years and then prorated for the remaining 40 years. The Workmanship is not covered at all by the Manufacturer, but the Roofer who installed the roof will typically provide two to five years of workmanship coverage. The problem is that 90% of roofers in the Atlanta area are out of business within in the first three years, so the workmanship warranty from a roofer is not much value. Also, most ancillary costs including disposal, tear-off and accessories are not covered. So basically, very little is covered in the standard warranty. 

The next level up, or the top tier extended Manufacturers Shingle Warranty, states the material is covered for 50 years, and is covered for 100% of that period. The workmanship warranty is also backed by the Roofing manufacturer when a Certified Roofer of their approval does the installation, and this can be covered for up to 25 years, which is good, as most roofs do not last over 20 years. The best Warranties also cover all ancillary costs and even repairs. So basically the owner does not usually have to pay for a roofing issue at all for the life of the roof. If it has to be replaced, all costs are taken care of with no hidden fees. It can even sometimes be transferred to another homeowner if the house is sold.

The Extended Warranty is a great solution for the Homeowner that wants 100% piece of mind an who never wants to worry about their roof. However, these extended warranties come at an extra charge. The charge for the top tier extended warranty can run an additional 8% to 12% cost to the homeowner. Studies show that an extended warranty easily pays for itself over the life of a roof as only one repair could make that difference and if the roof needs to be replaced, it is covered 100% inclusive of any price escalations. These warranties are really the best “deal” in the roofing industry.