Every roof replacement in the Phoenix Valley comes with two separate promises: one from the shingle or tile manufacturer, and one from the roofer who installed it. Homeowners comparing quotes often hear warranty numbers tossed around without much explanation, and the two kinds of coverage get blurred together. Here is what each one actually covers, what can void it, and what to check before you sign a contract.
Two Warranties, Not One
A manufacturer’s warranty covers the materials themselves: the shingles, tile, underlayment, and related products. That coverage comes from the contractor instead, and it covers the installation, meaning whether the job was done correctly. A homeowner can have a flawless set of materials and still end up with a leak if the flashing or nailing pattern was wrong. That is exactly why both warranties exist separately, and why both matter when you are comparing bids.
What the Manufacturer’s Warranty Covers
BlackHorse Roofing & Construction installs GAF products on most Phoenix Valley shingle roofs, including the Timberline HDZ line, which carries a standard 30-year manufacturer warranty against material defects. On qualifying full-system installs, where the decking, underlayment, ventilation, and shingles are all installed to GAF’s specification, the roof can also qualify for GAF’s Systems Plus warranty, an extended 50-year manufacturer warranty. BlackHorse registers Systems Plus coverage with GAF after the job is complete, and GAF mails the registration confirmation directly to the homeowner. Tile and foam roofing systems carry their own manufacturer-specific material warranties, which your BlackHorse estimate will spell out for your particular system. If you are still weighing which system fits your home, our guide to tile, foam, and shingle roofing in Phoenix breaks down the tradeoffs.
What BlackHorse’s Workmanship Warranty Covers
Separate from the manufacturer’s coverage, BlackHorse backs every standard roof replacement with a 5-year transferable workmanship warranty. This covers the installation itself, not the materials: things like flashing details, fastening patterns, and whether the system was put together the way the manufacturer requires. If something goes wrong because of how the roof was installed rather than a defect in the shingles or tile, the workmanship warranty is what applies.
Keeping the Workmanship Warranty Valid
The workmanship warranty comes with a few conditions. Only BlackHorse can make warranty repairs. If someone else repairs the roof, that work is not covered under the warranty. Homeowners need to notify BlackHorse within 72 hours of finding a problem. And damage caused by another contractor working on the roof, including HVAC, solar, or satellite installers, is not covered.
What the Warranty Doesn’t Cover
The workmanship warranty covers installation defects, not outside events. It does not cover normal weathering, accidents, fire, lightning, flood, earthquake, windstorms, windborne objects, hail, ice, or other acts of God; vandalism, riot, or civil disorder; environmental damage such as harmful fumes, vapors, chemical pollutants, air pollution, mildew, algae, fungus, infestation, UV degradation, or salt and acid rain; rust or corrosion that leads to metal or wood decay; building settlement or structural defects; interior damage caused by a leak; or anything else outside BlackHorse’s control. Storm damage like hail or wind is a separate conversation, usually handled through your homeowner’s insurance rather than the workmanship warranty. See our guide to inspection and insurance claims after storm damage for how that process works.
What Happens If You Sell Your Home
BlackHorse’s workmanship warranty is transferable, so if you sell your home within the coverage period, the new owner inherits it. That is worth mentioning to a buyer or their inspector, since it can be a point in your favor during a sale. Manufacturer warranties are typically tied to the property rather than the original purchaser as well, though the exact transfer terms depend on which GAF warranty tier was registered on your roof.
Get a Clear Answer Before You Sign
A roofing contract should spell out exactly what warranty you are getting in writing before any work starts, not after. BlackHorse Roofing & Construction is licensed in Arizona, ROC #342877, bonded, and insured, and every estimate includes a plain explanation of what is covered and for how long. Ready to see which warranty tier your roof qualifies for? Call BlackHorse Roofing at 602-890-9512, or visit our contact page to schedule your free Phoenix roof inspection.