What roof warranty comes with new construction?

Find out what is actually on your roof

• Ask the builder for the selections sheet or the roofing subcontractor's invoice, which names the shingle manufacturer, product line, and color.
• Check the garage or attic for leftover bundles; the wrapper shows the product and often a production code.
• Ask whether the underlayment, starter, and ridge cap came from the same manufacturer, since that affects upgraded warranties.

When the clocks start

Manufacturer warranties generally start when the roof is installed, not when you close, and a roof on a spec home may have been finished months earlier. The builder warranty usually starts at closing. Note both dates in your home file.

Registration and transfer

Standard shingle warranties often apply automatically, but upgraded system warranties must be registered by a certified installer. If you buy a new home from someone other than the original owner, the warranty may transfer with limits, and some require notice to the manufacturer within a set time after the sale. Read the warranty document itself rather than relying on the term printed on the bundle.

What each warranty is for

Leaks from bad flashing or nailing go to the builder. Shingles that blister, curl, or lose granules early from a defect go to the manufacturer. Hail and wind damage go to your homeowners insurance. For the full breakdown, read roofing warranties explained, and for what a well-built roof should last here, see how long a roof lasts in Georgia.