Brought to you by Laura Evans.

The gap between the verbal pitch and the written contract is exactly where homeowners get hurt. Verify in writing that the information means what you think it means.

“Lifetime” is one of the most stretched words in roofing sales. The same language is being used in the salesperson’s verbal pitch for whatever shingle brand is being promoted. In most manufacturer warranties, it doesn't mean the lifetime of your house, or even your lifetime as the homeowner. It typically means the lifetime of the original roof purchaser (and only if they have the paperwork proof) while they occupy the property. It often refers only to the shingles themselves, not the full roofing system. But that information is in the fine print, and you won’t know exactly what is covered unless you look at the warranty itself. Watch for the word ‘EXCLUSIONS.’ It is a term in the manufacturer’s warranty document. It’s important to look at the exclusions list, because the exclusions are a key piece in understanding what your warranty is actually worth. We at Renaissance Roofing are happy to walk you through the fine print any time.