Manufacturers of commercial roofing systems typically offer three types of warranties.
1. Manufacturer’s No Dollar Limit Warranty
A “No Dollar Limit” (NDL) is the best type of warranty you can purchase. The manufacturer’s NDL warranty is a full-system warranty, which means that the roofing company will cover defective materials regardless of costs. This roofing warranty requires that the contractor follow a specific commercial roof installation process and undergo inspections during installation and/or upon completion. Property owners typically purchase NDL warranties with a warranty period of between 10 to 30 years, depending on the type of roofing system installed. The cost for these types of manufacturer warranties is based on the roof’s square footage and the length of the warranty.
2. Manufacturer’s Material Warranty
Roofing materials manufacturers offer a warranty for their products for free or at a low fee. However, it typically does not cover labor costs to make the repairs. These warranties are sometimes described as “membrane-only” warranties.
3. Manufacturer Labor and Material Warranty
As the name implies, a manufacturer’s labor and material warranty covers defects in both labor and roofing materials. However, unlike the NDL warranty, this one has limited coverage.
This type of limited warranty is prorated based on the roof’s age. So, the older the roof, the less the warranty covers.