I hear you on the deposit—anything over 20% up front feels sketchy to me. One thing I’d add: double-check if the CertainTeed warranty is “pro-rated” or full coverage. I got burned once when I assumed it covered labor, but it didn’t. Those little details matter, especially if you’re budgeting tight.
double-check if the CertainTeed warranty is “pro-rated” or full coverage. I got burned once when I assumed it covered labor, but it didn’t.
That’s a good point about the warranty details—those can get pretty confusing. But I’ll throw in a slightly different take: sometimes the “pro-rated” part isn’t as bad as it sounds, depending on how long you plan to stay in the house. If you’re thinking of moving in 10 years, for example, the up-front coverage might be all you really need. I’ve seen folks get hung up on lifetime coverage when they’re not even sure they’ll be around to use it.
On the labor side, I’ve noticed some contractors will offer their own workmanship warranty that covers labor for a few years, separate from the manufacturer’s deal. It’s worth asking about that—sometimes it’s in writing, sometimes it’s just a handshake promise (which, yeah, isn’t ideal). But I wouldn’t assume the manufacturer’s warranty is the only safety net.
About deposits—20% seems to be the norm around here (I’m in the Midwest), but I’ve run into reputable companies that ask for 30% or even a third up front, especially if materials are being custom-ordered. I get why that feels sketchy, but I’d look more at their references and payment schedule than just the deposit percentage. Had a client last year who paid 15% up front and still got ghosted by a “licensed” roofer... so low deposit isn’t always a guarantee either.
Curious if anyone’s actually had to use their CertainTeed warranty? I’ve only seen one claim go through, and it was for shingle defects—not installation issues. The paperwork was a pain, but they did get partial reimbursement. Just makes me wonder how often these warranties really come into play versus just being a selling point.
Also, has anyone compared CertainTeed’s warranty to GAF or Owens Corning? I’ve heard mixed things about what’s actually covered when push comes to shove.
- Had to file a CertainTeed claim once—shingles curled after 8 years. They covered materials but not labor, which was a surprise.
- GAF’s warranty looked better on paper, but my neighbor still had to fight for coverage when his roof leaked.
- Honestly, most folks I know never use the warranty... it’s more of a marketing thing unless you get unlucky.
- Wouldn’t trust a handshake warranty—had a guy disappear after two years. Written is always safer, even if it’s just a few years coverage.
- Midwest here too—30% deposit seems high unless it’s custom stuff. I’d be more worried about how long they’ve been around than the deposit amount.
I get the point about warranties being mostly marketing, but after that derecho a couple years back, I saw a bunch of folks actually use theirs—some got decent help, others just headaches. It’s hit or miss, but I wouldn’t write them off completely. Sometimes it’s the only thing standing between you and a five-figure bill.
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I’ve seen way more people frustrated with roof warranties than actually helped by them. You mentioned,
—but in my experience, most of those big-ticket issues (like storm damage) end up being insurance territory anyway. Warranties are usually super specific about what they’ll cover, and a lot of claims get denied for “improper installation” or “acts of God.” It’s almost like they’re designed to find a loophole.“Sometimes it’s the only thing standing between you and a five-figure bill.”
Not saying they’re totally useless—some folks do get lucky—but I wouldn’t bank on it as your main safety net. If you’re budgeting for a CertainTeed roof, I’d focus more on finding a solid installer who actually follows the specs. A good install does way more for your peace of mind than any warranty paperwork. Just my two cents from crawling around a lot of attics and seeing what actually fails...
