What does an example roof warranty certificate show?
Short answer. A roof warranty certificate is the proof that coverage exists for your specific address. A manufacturer certificate shows a registration number, the products installed, the install date and the coverage tier, while a contractor certificate shows the workmanship term, completion date and the company's signature.
Two kinds of certificates
- Manufacturer registration certificate. Issued when a certified contractor registers an enhanced warranty with the shingle maker. It ties the coverage to your address and the specific products used.
- Contractor workmanship certificate. Issued by the roofing company on its letterhead. It covers installation errors for the stated term.
Fields you should see
- Homeowner name and the full property address, spelled correctly.
- Installation or completion date.
- Shingle brand and product line, plus the accessories if the coverage depends on them.
- Warranty name or tier and the length of each part of the coverage.
- A registration or certificate number you can quote on the phone.
- The issuing company's name, address, phone and an authorized signature.
- Transfer instructions, or a reference to them in the full terms.
Check it the day you get it
Compare the products on the certificate with the products on your invoice. A mismatch can become an argument years later. Make sure the date matches the job, not the date of your contract.
Where to keep it
Store the paper copy with your closing documents and keep a scan in your email or cloud storage. When you sell, a buyer's agent will ask for it, and a future roofer or adjuster may need it.
If you never received one
Ask the contractor first. Then ask the manufacturer whether a registration exists for your address. For the coverage behind the paper, read roofing warranties explained.