6 Roofing Contract Gotchas
- Workmanship vs. Material Warranty: HIGH Manufacturer warranty covers materials only. Workmanship warranty may be just 1-2 years, leaving installation defects uncovered
- Hidden Damage Clauses: HIGH Contract may allow unlimited extra charges for "hidden damage" found during work. No cap on additional costs
- Full Payment Before Completion: HIGH Some contracts require full payment before final inspection. You lose leverage if problems arise
- Permit & Code Compliance: MEDIUM Responsibility for permits may be shifted to homeowner. Code violations become your problem
- Weather Delay Extensions: MEDIUM Timeline can extend indefinitely due to weather. Project may drag on for weeks
- Material Substitution Rights: MEDIUM Contractor may substitute "equivalent" materials without approval if original unavailable