Part Four in a four-part series on how to find the right roofing professional for your home.

Being prepared and knowing what to expect when reroofing work begins will help ensure ultimate satisfaction with your new roof. But down the road - should an issue arise with your shingles - a good warranty will provide you with the peace of mind of knowing that your roofing investment is protected.

Contractors warrant their workmanship. Manufacturers, on the other hand, warrant the roofing material against defects in manufacturing. Together, these warranties protect your roofing investment. Ask for a copy of both the contractor and manufacturer warranty pertaining to the specific roofing products you are considering.

Contractor warranty:

Contractor workmanship warranties typically are for one to five years. In this case, the length of warranty is less important than what it covers. You're looking for intent and the ability of a contractor to stand behind his/their work.

If you are working with a Certainteed-credentialed contractor, you may be eligible for an extended warranty. Contractors who have achieved the Certainteed SELECT ShingleMaster™ designation can offer you a 5-Star extended warranty, and Certainteed will cover their workmanship for 25 years.

Manufacturer warranty:

The length of the manufacturer's warranty is an indicator of performance and value. The upfront coverage in the first few years following application also is very meaningful. This is the time when problems caused by defects are most likely to occur.

Certainteed offers a full line of shingles with warranties that last from 20 years to lifetime-limited. Certainteed's SureStart™ protection provides the best coverage you can get in the vital early years after your new roof has been installed. In case of manufacturing defects, SureStart covers 100 percent of material and labor costs during the applicable period (three, five or ten years) and is not prorated or otherwise reduced. SureStart protection can be transferred from the original homeowner to the subsequent property owner at no cost during the SureStart period, providing coverage for the remaining duration of the warranty.

When reviewing warranty coverage, pay attention to manufacturer stipulations on exactly what types of defects are covered plus any exclusions or limitations contained in the warranty. Certainteed warrants that its roofing shingles will be free from manufacturing defects; most other shingle brands' warranties stipulate that only defects which cause leaks or affect performance are covered.

Click here to return to part one in our Roofing 101 series; Find a Contractor