Hiring
What a Real Workmanship Warranty Should Look Like
A real workmanship warranty is a one-page document with specific terms, a duration, and the contractor's signed name. Most warranties homeowners receive are not. Here is what should be in the document and why it matters more than the manufacturer warranty in the marketing material.
What to look for in writing
Duration in years (5 to 10 years minimum for roofing workmanship; 2 to 10 years for exterior painting).
Exactly what is covered (workmanship, material, both) and exactly what is excluded (acts of God, owner-caused damage, normal wear).
The response time commitment (24 to 72 hours for a leak inspection is reasonable).
The legal entity standing behind the warranty (a Colorado LLC or corporation with a verifiable Secretary of State registration; a magnetic-sign storm chaser will be impossible to find in year three).
Transferability if you sell the home (some manufacturer warranties require notice within 30 to 60 days of sale).
Manufacturer system warranties versus standard warranties
A standard limited lifetime shingle warranty covers material defects only. A system warranty (GAF Golden Pledge, Owens Corning Platinum or Preferred, Malarkey Emerald or Diamond, CertainTeed SureStart Plus) requires a certified contractor (GAF Master Elite, CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster, Owens Corning Platinum Preferred, all roughly 1 to 3 percent of contractors nationally) and a full system installation, and extends coverage to labor, tear-off, and workmanship for 25 to 50 years.
Verify any claimed manufacturer certification directly on the manufacturer's website (gaf.com/roofing-contractors/verify, certainteed.com/contractor-search, owenscorning.com/roofing/contractors). Storm chasers commonly claim certifications they do not hold.