Published: 01/24/2023

Roofs are a huge investment and play a critical role in keeping homes protected from weather damage. So naturally, every home buyer wants to make sure that their new property’s rooftop is going to last as long as possible.

This is why roof warranties are a major concern. Having one can protect you from needing to pay for a replacement if the roof fails. However, it’s not always certain whether or not a home’s roof warranty will carry over after you take ownership.

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The Good News

Fortunately, most roof warranties do transfer over after a home changes owners. Roof warranties are generally tied to the home they are installed on, not the individual who originally purchased it. Check the warranty’s fine print to verify that yours is transferable.

What to Look Out For

Unfortunately, the issue of transferability can get pretty complicated. There are a number of factors that can influence whether or not your new home’s roof warranty will actually be valid if you need to make a claim.

• Transfer Limits

  Just because a warranty says it’s transferable doesn’t mean there aren’t restrictions. Some warranties only allow a transfer of ownership one time before they are rendered invalid.

• Warranty Registration

  After the roof was originally installed, the warranty needed to be registered with the manufacturer in the allotted time frame. If this was not done, the warranty will not be valid no matter who is submitting a claim.

• Manufacturer Notification of Transfer

  Some manufacturers require that the new owner submits a notification of transfer within a certain amount of time after the home’s sale. Forgetting to do this after you’ve purchased your home can mean that the manufacturer won’t honor the warranty when you make a claim.

• Warranty Types

  Many homeowners don’t realize that their roof may be covered by two separate warranties: a product warranty and a workmanship warranty. The former covers the actual materials used to build the roof, such as shingles. The latter covers the labor that performed the installation.

  Product warranties are fulfilled by the manufacturer. They can be used when the roofing materials are defective. Workmanship warranties are fulfilled by the roofing contractor, and used when the roof fails due to their own installation error. You’ll need to be sure you’re submitting a claim to the correct warranty type if you want it to be approved

• Roofer Qualification

  Some contractors offer premium warranties that cover both their workmanship and the product. This is done in partnership with the manufacturer, who requires the contractor to be certified with their brand. If the roofer is not certified with the manufacturer, then they aren’t qualified to provide these types of warranties.

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AKVM Provides Premium Warranties

If you’re looking for an experienced, trustworthy contractor to repair or re-install your roof, AKVM can help. We not only perform the labor needed after fulfillment of manufacturer’s warranties, but we also provide premium warranties for our own fresh installs. You can have peace of mind knowing that your new roof installation will be covered by the most secure warranties available on the market. We are a GAF-certified contractor, and offer our customers the full lineup of GAF warranty packages. Learn more about roof warranties, or contact us to discuss your needs.