Understanding Your Roof Warranty: What Is Actually Covered
Want a straight answer about your own roof?
Free inspection, written report, no sales pitch. We cover Johnson, Douglas, Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties.
Warranty language can be dense, but the written documents are the only reliable place to start. Gather the document for the exact roofing product that was installed. Record the installation date and keep the contractor agreement with it. Reading those records before a problem develops can prevent mistaken assumptions later.
Separate the product and workmanship documents
A manufacturer warranty and a contractor's workmanship warranty are different documents. Read the written terms for the specific product to learn what issue and remedy the manufacturer describes. Then read the contractor's document to understand its duration and request process. When MCO performs the work, MCO's written workmanship warranty is the source for its workmanship terms. Do not assume that one document fills a gap in the other.
Four checks that filter out most storm chasers
- 1Kansas AG registrationPaid roofing contractors generally need a Kansas registration certificate unless exempt. Ask for the number and verify the current registration through the state resources.
- 2Local city or county licenseOverland Park, Olathe, Lenexa and Johnson County each run their own licensing. State registration alone is not enough.
- 3Certificate of insuranceGeneral liability plus workers compensation, sent directly by their insurance agent rather than forwarded by the salesperson.
- 4A local address you can drive toNot a PO box, and not an out of state number that appeared the week after the storm.
Check conditions in the written terms
Warranty conditions differ by manufacturer and product line. Read the document before choosing a cleaning method or authorizing a repair. If a term is unclear, ask the manufacturer to explain how it applies to the identified product in writing.
- Identify the exact manufacturer and product line installed on the roof
- Read any installation and ventilation conditions stated for that product
- Check the product's written cleaning and maintenance instructions before work begins
- Follow the notice and documentation process stated in the applicable warranty
Find out how the stated remedy changes over time
Do not infer a remedy from the number of years on a label. The written warranty for a specific product may describe a changing value or a fixed remedy. It may also use different terms during different periods. Check whether the document addresses labor costs. Review disposal costs separately, then ask the manufacturer to explain any schedule you do not understand.
Keep product-specific installation records
Before work begins, ask the contractor to identify the exact roofing product in the agreement. Keep the product label and final invoice. Save installation photographs if they are provided. If MCO performs the work, request a copy of MCO's written workmanship warranty and keep it with the manufacturer's product terms.
Got questions about your current warranty or want to know what we include? Give us a call at (913) 954-4501.
Want a straight answer about your own roof?
Free inspection, written report, no sales pitch. We cover Johnson, Douglas, Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties.
