The short answer
A roofing workmanship guarantee covers faults in how the work was carried out, such as a badly fixed slate, a leaking flashing or a poorly made valley, for the period stated. It normally excludes storm damage, wear and tear, other people's work and neglect. It is a different thing from the maker's warranty on the materials, and from any scheme where an insurer stands behind the promise.
What a workmanship guarantee is
When a roofer finishes a job, two things determine how long it lasts: the quality of the materials and the quality of the fitting. A workmanship guarantee speaks to the second. It is a promise from the roofer, usually written on a certificate or in the paperwork, that the work was done properly and that any fault traced to the way it was done will be put right at no extra charge during the guarantee period.
The words matter. "Guaranteed" said on the doorstep is only conversation. A guarantee in writing sets out the dates, the address, the work covered and the terms. It gives you something to point to if a problem arises, and it shows the roofer takes responsibility for the result.
Guarantees come in different lengths. We give ten years on our workmanship, in writing. Whatever period a roofer offers, check what is actually promised, what you must do to keep it valid and what steps a claim involves.
What it normally covers
A good workmanship guarantee deals with faults that come from the fitting itself. On a typical roof, that includes:
- Slipped or loose slates and tiles caused by poor nailing, wrong fixings or incorrect lap.
- Leaking flashings. A flashing is metal, often lead, built into a wall or chimney so water runs off the joint. If it was badly dressed or not wedged into the masonry, water gets behind it.
- Faults in valleys and gutters, where the lead lining was laid with insufficient fall or poorly lapped joints.
- Poorly fixed ridge, hip and verge details, where the fixings or bedding were not up to standard.
- Flat roof defects such as badly formed laps, upstands or edges in a membrane.
- Leaks from the new work that show up in normal weather during the guarantee period.
If you have a leak that you think falls under this list, see our page on liability for leaks after roof work. It explains how to report one and what the roofer should do next.
What it usually leaves out
No guarantee covers everything, so learn its limits before you need it. Common exclusions include:
- Storm and impact damage. A gust that strips tiles, a falling branch or a ladder against the gutter are not workmanship faults. Insurance may help with these; see our page on roof insurance claims.
- Normal wear and ageing. Materials weather, and moss, frost and sun take their toll over the years.
- Work by other people. If a satellite installer, a builder or a loft converter disturbs the roof, the original roofer is not responsible for the result.
- Lack of upkeep. Gutters left blocked for years, or damage left unreported, can void part of a guarantee.
- Parts not included in the job. A guarantee covers the work that was done, not the rest of the roof.
- Materials themselves. A fault in a tile or slate as made is a matter for its manufacturer, not the fitter.
Read the wording for conditions, too. Some guarantees ask you to report a problem within a set period, keep the invoice or let the roofer inspect before anyone else touches it. These are reasonable requests, and being aware of them helps you keep your rights.
Workmanship guarantee, materials warranty and insurer-backed schemes
These three are often confused, and they do different jobs.
Workmanship guarantee
Given by the roofer, covering how the work was done. It is only as good as the firm behind it, because it relies on that firm still being there and willing to return.
Materials warranty
Given by the manufacturer of the slate, tile, membrane or lead, covering defects in the product. It usually has its own conditions, including the way the material must be fixed. A manufacturer's warranty is not the same as a lifespan. Slate may last far longer in practice, while the warranty period is a shorter figure the maker chooses to stand behind.
Schemes backed by an insurer
Some trade schemes or products add insurance to the promise, so that a claim can be met even if the original firm has closed. If a roofer mentions a scheme of this kind, ask for the paperwork and read what it covers, who the insurer is and what you would need to do. Do not assume that a general sense of "protection" is the same as a policy.
The three can sit side by side on one roof, and it is worth asking a roofer which of them apply to your job and for each one to be shown on paper.
Questions to ask before you accept one
Before accepting a quote, ask to see the guarantee itself. Ask who issues it, how long it runs, what it lists and what it excludes. Ask whether it passes to a new owner if you sell the house. Ask how to make a claim, who to contact and what evidence you must keep.
On older and protected buildings, the guarantee should be read alongside the permissions the work needed. If your roof is listed or in a conservation area, work carried out without proper consent creates trouble that no guarantee will fix. You can read more in our pages on consent for roof work on listed buildings and on when planning applies to a roof.
Money and paper go hand in hand. Check that the guarantee is mentioned in the quote, and do not hand over the final payment before you hold it. For more on timing, see the page about money asked for before work starts.
If you would like to see what ours looks like, ask for a sample when you book a survey through the home page. We survey the roof, photograph it, quote in writing and issue the ten-year workmanship guarantee when the job is finished.
