What a 10-Year Workmanship Warranty Really Means for Homeowners

When homeowners compare roofing companies, one phrase shows up again and again: “warranty included.” But not all warranties protect you the same way.

Some cover only materials. Some are limited by fine print. Some sound strong on paper but offer very little when a real problem shows up.

At Graduate Contracting, we offer a 10-year workmanship warranty because we believe homeowners deserve protection that reflects the quality of the work being done. But what does a workmanship warranty actually mean, and why does it matter so much?

Materials Warranties vs Workmanship Warranties

Most roofing materials come with a manufacturer’s warranty. That coverage applies to defects in the product itself. If a batch of shingles fails prematurely because it was manufactured incorrectly, the manufacturer may cover replacement materials.

What those warranties typically do not cover is installation.

If shingles were nailed incorrectly, flashing was installed poorly, ventilation was set up wrong, or underlayment was compromised, those problems are not product failures. They are workmanship issues. And without a workmanship warranty, the cost of correcting them often falls on the homeowner.

A workmanship warranty is your protection against installation-related failures. It is the contractor standing behind the way the roof was built.

Why Installation Quality Is Everything

A roof system is only as strong as its weakest detail.

Even the highest-grade shingles can fail early if they are installed improperly. Misaligned flashing can allow water behind walls. Poor ventilation can trap heat and moisture. Incorrect fastener placement can lead to blow-offs in high winds.

These are not dramatic, immediate failures. They are the slow problems that cause leaks, rot, mold, insulation damage, and premature replacement.

A true workmanship warranty reflects a company’s confidence in its training, processes, supervision, and long-term accountability.

What a 10-Year Workmanship Warranty Actually Protects

A workmanship warranty is designed to cover issues that arise from how the roof was installed. That includes things like:

• Leaks caused by installation errors
• Flashing failures
• Improperly sealed penetrations
• Ventilation-related workmanship issues
• Fastening and alignment problems

If something goes wrong because of how the roof was built, not because of storm damage or normal aging, a workmanship warranty ensures you are not left paying for someone else’s mistake.

It also means the contractor is committed to being reachable, responsive, and responsible long after the job is finished.

Why Length Matters

Short workmanship warranties are common in roofing. One year. Two years. Sometimes even less.

The challenge with very short warranties is that many workmanship issues take time to reveal themselves. Seasonal expansion and contraction. Heavy rain cycles. Heat stress. Ice and condensation. These forces test a roof gradually.

A longer workmanship warranty reflects confidence that the roof was installed correctly from the start and will continue performing as it should.

A 10-year workmanship warranty provides homeowners with a meaningful window of protection during the most critical early years of a roof’s life.

How a Warranty Protects More Than Your Roof

A strong workmanship warranty does more than cover repairs. It protects your home, your finances, and your peace of mind.

It means you are not scrambling to find another contractor to diagnose and fix a problem. It means accountability is clear. It means you are working with a company that expects to still be serving homeowners years from now.

It also plays an important role in resale value. Transferable or documented warranties can reassure future buyers that the roof was professionally installed and backed by a company willing to stand behind it.

Not All Warranties Are Equal

Homeowners should always ask:

• What exactly is covered?
• How long does the coverage last?
• Is it in writing?
• Who performs the repairs if there is an issue?
• Is the company local and established?

A workmanship warranty only has value if the company offering it is professional, responsive, and still operating.

Why We Stand Behind Our Work

At Graduate Contracting, our 10-year workmanship warranty reflects the standards we hold ourselves to every day: proper installation, trained crews, clean job sites, code-compliant systems, and thorough inspections.

We believe a roof should not just look good when it is finished. It should perform reliably for years. And homeowners should never feel like they are on their own once the last nail is driven.

A workmanship warranty is not a marketing line. It is a long-term commitment to the people who trust us with their homes and buildings.

A workmanship warranty only matters if the company offering it is committed to standing behind their work. Schedule a free inspection with Graduate Contracting and speak with a professional team that backs every roof we install.