A '10-year guarantee' appears in almost every roofing quote in Tonbridge. What does it actually cover? What voids it? What happens if the company ceases trading? These are questions homeowners rarely ask until they need to make a claim — at which point the answers matter significantly. This guide explains what roofing warranties cover, what they don't, and what to check before accepting any quote.
Two Types of Warranty — Workmanship and Manufacturer
Workmanship guarantee: covers defects caused by errors in installation. If a tile slips because it was incorrectly fixed, if a flashing fails because the lead code was insufficient, if a ridge tile displaces because the mortar specification was wrong — a workmanship guarantee covers the cost of repair. This warranty is only as good as the contractor issuing it — if they cease trading, it is worthless.
Manufacturer product warranty: covers defects in the material itself — a tile that delaminated from a manufacturing fault, a membrane that failed before its design life. Manufacturer warranties are typically 15-30 years on tile and 20 years on membrane products. These are independent of the contractor and are valid regardless of whether the installer is still trading.
Most '10-year guarantees' offered by Tonbridge roofing contractors are workmanship guarantees only. They cover installation errors, not product failure. The manufacturer's product warranty is separate and should also be confirmed at point of purchase.
NFRC guarantee scheme: NFRC-registered contractors can issue insurance-backed guarantees (IBGs) underwritten by approved insurers, providing up to 20 years of cover that remains valid if the contractor ceases trading. Standard workmanship guarantees are not insurance-backed and have no value if the issuing company dissolves. Source: NFRC Insurance-Backed Guarantee Scheme, 2024
What a Workmanship Guarantee Typically Covers
- Tile fixing failures caused by incorrect nailing or hanging
- Ridge and verge mortar failure caused by incorrect specification
- Lead flashing failure caused by incorrect code, joint method or chasing
- Flat roof membrane failure caused by installation defect (incorrect bonding, missed patches)
- Water ingress caused by any of the above
What It Does Not Cover
- Storm or accidental damage — external events are insurance claims, not warranty claims
- Gradual wear and maintenance requirements — a mortar joint that fails after 12 years is not a workmanship defect
- Damage caused by failure to maintain — blocked gutters causing fascia rot, uncleaned flat roofs causing membrane failure
- Consequential damage — water damage to interior caused by a leak is usually excluded
- Work carried out by others after original installation — voids the original warranty on the affected area
All our work comes with a written workmanship guarantee — call 0173 224 1138
📞 0173 224 1138What to Check Before Accepting a Warranty
- Is it written? A verbal guarantee is unenforceable. The written document should state exactly what is covered, for how long, and what the claims process is.
- Is the contractor registered? NFRC membership provides access to an independent warranty scheme that remains valid if the contractor ceases trading.
- What is the claims process? Can you call the original contractor? What if they are uncontactable? Is there a third-party insurance backing?
- What voids the warranty? Most warranties are voided by alterations carried out by others. Check whether satellite dishes, solar panels or guttering work affects cover.
- What is specifically excluded? The exclusion list is as important as the coverage list.
NFRC Insurance-Backed Guarantees
NFRC-registered contractors can offer insurance-backed guarantees (IBGs) through approved providers. An IBG is underwritten by an insurer independent of the contractor — if the contractor ceases trading, the warranty is honoured by the insurer. This is the highest standard of roofing warranty available in the UK and is worth asking for on any significant job.
Our Guarantee
All work we carry out in Tonbridge and the surrounding area comes with a written 10-year workmanship guarantee covering all installation defects. For re-roofing and major projects we can provide an insurance-backed guarantee through our NFRC membership. We state the guarantee terms in every written quote — you know exactly what you're getting before you sign.