Three roofers wanted $32k after the June hailstorm. Roof Doctor NM walked the roof, took 84 photos, and said the hail was cosmetic. Saved me from a fraudulent claim.
Sarah K.Albuquerque · Nob Hill
Stop comparing apples to oranges
Roof warranty decoder.
Every roofer says '50-year warranty.' What they don't say: what kind, what it covers, and what voids it. Here's the side-by-side.
Manufacturer (Material) Warranty
Length
20–50 yr
Covers
Defective material from the factory
Pro-rated replacement material only
Doesn't cover
Labor to remove/install
Install errors
Wind/hail unless extended
Ponding water
This is the warranty most contractors quote loudly. By year 15 on a 'lifetime' shingle, pro-rated value is often <20%.
Workmanship (Labor) Warranty
Length
1–10 yr
Covers
Install errors by the contractor
Leaks from improper flashing or fastening
Labor + materials to fix the install
Doesn't cover
Material defects (those go to manufacturer)
Storm damage
Owner modifications
The most important one to demand in a scope of work. We require a minimum 5-year written workmanship warranty from any contractor on our matched-bidder list — many NM roofers offer only 1–2 years.
System / NDL (No Dollar Limit)
Length
10–30 yr
Covers
Full system — membrane, insulation, flashing, fasteners
No dollar cap on repair costs
Labor AND material
Doesn't cover
Owner-caused damage
Acts of God beyond covered scope
Missed inspections (often required annually)
The gold standard for commercial flat roofs. Requires a manufacturer-certified installer and a manufacturer inspection at install — we specify both in the scope of work and verify at closeout.
Extended Wind / Hail Riders
Length
Add-on
Covers
Hail impact ratings beyond base coverage
Wind speeds above 110/130 mph
Doesn't cover
Pre-existing damage
Improper attic ventilation (voids many)
Worth adding in ABQ given monsoon and East Mountain wind. Usually $200–600 at install.
The fine print
What voids your warranty
Six things homeowners do (often unknowingly) that cancel coverage.
Adding a satellite dish, solar mount, or HVAC unit without notifying the warrantor
Pressure-washing the roof
Installing a different brand of underlayment than the system spec
Skipping required annual inspections (NDL warranties)
Inadequate attic ventilation per manufacturer spec
Selling the home without transferring the warranty in writing within 30–60 days
Next step
Want the warranty specified in writing — before you sign?
We write the required warranty language into your scope of work and verify the contractor registers it at closeout. Independent — we don't sell or install roofs.