What's the Warranty on a New Roof?

What's the warranty on a new roof?

Published October 13, 2026 · John Beal, Owner, John Beal Roofing

A new roof usually comes with two warranties. The manufacturer warranty covers the materials. The workmanship warranty covers the install, and that one comes from your roofer. Ask for both, in writing, before you sign.

"What's the warranty?" is one of the smartest questions you can ask before a new roof goes on. The answer isn't one thing, though. Most new roofs come with two separate warranties from two different places, and knowing the difference keeps you from assuming you're covered for something you're not.

Warranty one: the manufacturer warranty

This comes from the company that made the shingles and other roofing products. It covers the materials, meaning defects in the products themselves. The terms depend on which products went on your roof and on the manufacturer's own rules, so ask your roofer for the warranty paperwork and read what it actually says.

What a manufacturer warranty generally won't cover is a bad installation. If the shingles were nailed wrong or the flashing was done poorly, that's not a defect in the product, and the shingle maker isn't going to pay to fix it.

Warranty two: the workmanship warranty

This one comes from your roofer, and it covers the install. Problems caused by how the roof was put on, such as leaks at flashing, shingles that weren't fastened right, or a tie-in that lets water through, fall here.

Here's the catch: a workmanship warranty is only as good as the company that wrote it. If the roofer goes out of business or packs up and leaves town after storm season, the paper doesn't help you much. That's why who you hire matters as much as what the warranty says.

Ask for both, in writing

A warranty that was only promised out loud isn't really a warranty. Before you sign, ask which warranties come with the job, who backs each one, and what each covers. Then get both on paper. If a roofer gets fuzzy when you ask, that tells you something.

Questions worth asking

Which manufacturer warranty comes with the products you're installing?
How long is your workmanship warranty, and what does it cover?
Is it in writing, and can I see it before I sign?
Who do I call if something goes wrong, and will someone answer?

What comes with a John Beal roof

Every roof we replace comes with our limited lifetime workmanship warranty, in writing, plus the manufacturer's warranty on the materials. We're family-run, we've been here since 1947, and our own crews do the installing. And because we answer the phone 24/7, there's always someone to call if you ever have a question about your roof.

What John says in the video

Transcript: What's the warranty on a new roof? Usually there are two. One: the manufacturer warranty that covers the materials. Two: the workmanship warranty. That covers the install. Ask for both, in writing. Call me. 1-800-JOHN-BEAL.

Frequently asked questions

What does a roofing workmanship warranty cover?

It covers the installation, meaning problems caused by how the roof was put on. It comes from the roofing contractor, not the shingle maker, so it is only as good as the company behind it.

What does a shingle manufacturer warranty cover?

It covers defects in the materials themselves. The exact terms depend on the product and the manufacturer, so ask for the warranty paperwork and read what it covers.

What is John Beal Roofing's workmanship warranty?

Every roof we replace comes with our limited lifetime workmanship warranty, in writing.

Why does it matter if a roofer is local for the warranty?

A workmanship warranty depends on the contractor being around to honor it. A company that leaves town after storm season cannot stand behind the work it did.

What should I ask about a roof warranty before signing?

Ask which warranties come with the job, who backs each one, what each covers, and ask for both in writing. Call 1-800-JOHN-BEAL with any warranty question.