Why guarantees and warranties matter when hiring a roofer A new roof or major repair is a big investment, and in New Zealand it has to stand up to a lot: strong UV, heavy rain, coastal corrosion, wind, hail and, in some areas, snow loading. Because roofing failures can be expensive and disruptive, it’s worth understanding exactly what protection you get if something goes wrong.
A reputable roofer should be able to explain three different forms of protection:
- a **workmanship guarantee** from the roofer - **product warranties** from the manufacturer or supplier - your rights under the **Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA)**
These are not the same thing. A guarantee from the roofer usually covers the installation. A product warranty covers the roofing materials themselves. The CGA gives you legal rights if the work or materials are not of acceptable quality or are not carried out with reasonable care and skill.
Workmanship guarantees: what the roofer is responsible for A workmanship guarantee is the roofer’s promise about the quality of their labour. It should cover faults caused by poor installation, not normal wear and tear or damage from a storm, tree fall or other outside event.
A sensible workmanship guarantee should be **written down** and clearly state:
- how long the guarantee lasts - what is covered and what is excluded - whether it applies to both materials supplied and labour installed - who to contact if a problem appears - whether call-out fees, scaffolding or access costs are covered if a defect is repaired
For many roofing jobs, a workmanship guarantee of several years is common, but the length should match the type of work. A full re-roof may come with a longer workmanship period than a small repair. The key point is not the headline number alone, but whether the guarantee is realistic, specific and backed by a business that is likely to still be operating if you need it later.
Be cautious if a roofer promises a very long guarantee but gives no details in writing. If the company is hard to contact now, getting warranty support later may be difficult.
Product warranties: what the materials cover Roofing products often carry manufacturer warranties, but these are usually conditional. They may cover defects in the product itself, not installation mistakes. In many cases, the warranty is only valid if:
- the products were installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions - the correct fixings and flashings were used - maintenance requirements are followed - the roofer is an approved or trained installer, where the brand requires it
Product warranties can differ widely depending on the material. For example, coated steel roofing, membrane systems, tiles and flashings may each have different warranty terms and maintenance obligations.
When comparing quotes, ask the roofer to identify:
- the exact brand and product range they are quoting for - the warranty length for the product itself - whether the warranty is transferable if you sell the house - any exclusions for coastal zones, industrial areas or lack of maintenance
A warranty is only valuable if you understand the conditions. For instance, some metal roofing warranties may be reduced in harsh coastal environments, while some membrane warranties require a documented maintenance programme.
Consumer Guarantees Act: your legal back-up The Consumer Guarantees Act applies to most roofing work done for household use in New Zealand. It gives you guarantees that services will be carried out with **reasonable care and skill**, and that any materials supplied will be of **acceptable quality** and fit for purpose.
Under the CGA, if a roofer’s work is faulty, you may be entitled to have it fixed. If the problem is serious, you may be able to reject the services or seek compensation for reasonably foreseeable loss or damage.
This matters because a workmanship guarantee does not replace your CGA rights. Even if a roofer’s written guarantee is short, your rights under the CGA may still apply where the work is substandard.
Examples of possible CGA issues on roofing jobs include:
- leaks caused by incorrect flashing installation - poor fixing patterns that lead to wind uplift risk - unsafe or untidy detailing around chimneys, skylights or gutters - materials not suitable for the local environment or the specified purpose - a contractor failing to carry out the job with reasonable care and skill
A quick comparison of your protection
| Protection | Covers | Who is responsible | Common limits | |---|---|---|---| | Workmanship guarantee | Installation defects and labour issues | The roofer | Duration set by the roofer; exclusions apply | | Product warranty | Defects in roofing materials | Manufacturer or supplier | Often conditional on correct installation and maintenance | | Consumer Guarantees Act | Faulty services and non-conforming goods for consumer work | The roofer/supplier | Rights depend on whether the failure is minor or substantial |
What a good roofing quote should say about guarantees A professional roofer should not leave warranty details vague. Before you accept a quote, check that it includes:
- the exact scope of the work - the roofing system, product brand and colour or profile - whether the quote includes underlay, flashings, penetrations and associated carpentry - the workmanship guarantee period - copies of any product warranty documents or links to them - who is responsible for registration of warranties, if required - maintenance requirements and any owner obligations
If the quote says “standard warranty applies”, ask what that means in practice. “Standard” can mean very different things from one business to another.
It’s also wise to get **multiple written quotes**. This helps you compare not just price, but the level of protection, the quality of the proposed materials and the clarity of the warranty terms.
What to check before you rely on a guarantee A guarantee is only as good as the contractor behind it. Before hiring a roofer, confirm:
- they have the right **trade experience** for your roof type - they are appropriately **licensed or registered** if the job involves related regulated work - they carry public liability insurance and, ideally, cover for their own workmanship obligations - they can provide references, photos of similar jobs or recent local examples - they are clear about health and safety, site access and weather delays
Some roofing projects also involve other regulated work. For example:
- **Plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying** are restricted work under the **PGDB** regime, so if the roof job includes things like gas flue penetrations or plumbing-related elements, the right licensed person must do that work. - **Electrical work** is regulated by the **EWRB**. Any roof-related electrical work, such as reconnecting solar cabling, must be done by an authorised electrician. - **Building work** may require a **building consent** from the local council, especially for significant alterations, structural changes or some reroofing projects depending on the scope and the building’s details. A good roofer should tell you if consent or inspections are likely to be needed, but the homeowner is ultimately responsible for checking.
If a roofer seems vague about compliance, that is a red flag. Good warranty support starts with compliant work.
Red flags in warranty wording Read the fine print carefully. Be cautious if the contract says:
- the guarantee is void if you do not use the roofer for all future maintenance, without explaining why - the guarantee excludes most common faults, such as leaks at penetrations, flashings or fasteners - the warranty only applies if you pay a special registration fee after the job is complete and no one told you this upfront - the contractor can refuse any claim at their sole discretion - the guarantee is limited to “repair or replace at our option” with no timeframes for action
Also watch for wording that shifts all responsibility to the manufacturer. If the roofer supplied and installed the product, they should still stand behind the installation.
What to do if the roof work is faulty If you notice leaks, loose flashings, poor finish or other defects, act promptly. Roofing problems can worsen quickly, especially during wet weather.
A practical approach is:
1. **Document the problem** with photos, dates and notes about when it first appeared. 2. **Notify the roofer in writing** as soon as possible. 3. **Refer to the contract, workmanship guarantee and any product warranty**. 4. **Ask for a remedy and a timeframe** for inspection and repair. 5. **Keep all emails, texts, invoices and inspection notes**.
If the roofer agrees the fault is theirs, ask them to confirm in writing what they will repair, when and whether they will cover consequential damage.
If they dispute responsibility, you can still rely on your rights under the CGA where applicable. If the issue is covered by a warranty, follow the claims process carefully, but do not assume that a warranty replaces your legal rights.
Your recourse if the roofer won’t fix it If the roofer refuses to help or the repair is unsatisfactory, you have several options in New Zealand.
1. Push for a formal written response Ask the roofer to state:
- whether they accept the issue - whether they believe it is workmanship, product or maintenance-related - what remedy they propose - when they will complete the work
A written response can be useful if the matter escalates.
2. Get an independent opinion An independent roofer, building surveyor or suitably qualified inspector can help identify whether the issue looks like a workmanship defect, a material failure or damage from another cause. This can be especially helpful if the contractor blames weather or “normal movement”.
3. Use dispute resolution Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to use:
- the company’s own complaints process - mediation or a building dispute service - the **Disputes Tribunal**, which can hear many consumer disputes up to its jurisdiction limit
Keep in mind that if a leak is causing active damage, you may need urgent temporary mitigation while the dispute is being sorted.
4. Consider council or warranty-provider processes If the work involved a building consent, there may be inspection records or compliance issues to discuss with the local council. If a product warranty applies, follow the manufacturer’s claim process as well, while still keeping the roofer informed.
5. Seek legal advice for serious losses If the fault is significant, repeat repair attempts fail, or there is major damage inside the home, legal advice can help you understand your options and the best path to recovery.
Practical tips before you sign a roofing contract Before you commit, ask for:
- a full written quote with scope, exclusions and payment stages - the workmanship guarantee in writing - copies of product warranty documents - confirmation of who handles any warranty registration - confirmation that all necessary consent, compliance and specialist work will be sorted - evidence of insurance and relevant trade competence
It’s also sensible to keep a copy of all roof documentation with your house papers. If you later sell the property, having warranty documents, invoices and maintenance records can be useful for the next owner and may help support a claim if a problem appears.
The bottom line For New Zealand homeowners, the best roofing protection comes from a combination of a clear workmanship guarantee, genuine product warranties and your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act. The strongest sign of a good roofer is not just that they promise to stand behind the job, but that they explain those promises clearly, in writing, before work starts.
If you compare written quotes, check credentials and read the warranty fine print carefully, you’ll be in a much better position if your roof ever needs a repair claim.