Two types of roof coverage
Every new roof comes with two types of coverage. Most owners do not know this.
One covers the materials. The other covers the labor and install. Both matter. The gap between them can cost you a lot.
Material coverage
This protects you if the roofing product fails. Think shingles that crack or peel too soon.
Most plans run 25–50 years. But there is a catch. After the first 10 years, most plans shift cost to you. You pay more each year if something goes wrong.
Labor coverage
This covers errors in the install job. Bad nail placement. Poor flashing. Wrong vents.
Most roofers offer 1–5 years of labor coverage. After that, install errors become your cost to fix — even if the shingles are still under their plan.
Why who installs it matters
DeHart is both an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor and a GAF Master Elite Contractor. That status lets us offer something most roofers cannot:
Extended plans backed by the maker that cover both the product and the labor — for up to 50 years.
Same materials. Same price range. Far more protection. See our certifications page for full details.
What can void your plan
Watch out for these. Any one can cancel your coverage:
- Poor attic airflow — the top reason claims get rejected
- Changes to the roof not approved by the maker
- Pressure washing the shingles
- Skipped upkeep — clogged gutters, built-up debris
- Work done by a roofer not certified by the maker
At a glance: coverage types
| Type | Covers | How long |
|---|---|---|
| Maker plan (standard) | Materials only | 25–50 years (cost-share) |
| Labor plan | Install errors | 1–10 years |
| Extended (certified roofer) | Product + labor | Up to 50 years |
The short answer
Your roof plan is only as good as the roofer who installs it. A certified roofer costs about the same. But the coverage you get is in a different class.
We serve Modesto, Turlock, Ceres, and all of Stanislaus County. Get a free estimate from DeHart Roofing.
Manufacturer warranty vs. workmanship warranty
Every roof has two warranties. Most homeowners only know about one.
Manufacturer warranty. Covers the shingles or tile themselves. Comes from the factory (Owens Corning, GAF, CertainTeed, etc.). Typical length: 25 to 50 years, depending on tier.
Workmanship warranty. Covers the install. Comes from the contractor. Typical length: 2 to 10 years.
If a manufacturer warranty fails, the factory ships replacement materials. The labor to install them is usually not covered — unless you have an enhanced warranty (Platinum, Master Elite, Select).
What voids most warranties
- Inadequate ventilation. Without proper attic airflow, shingles cook from below and fail early. Manufacturers track this.
- Adding solar panels by an uncertified installer. Holes in the wrong place void the warranty.
- Walking on tile. Cracked tiles from foot traffic are not covered. Service vendors (HVAC, satellite) often cause this.
- Painting or coating shingles. Most manufacturers void the warranty if you alter the surface.
- Hiring an unlicensed installer. A C-39 license is required in California. Without it, the warranty does not transfer.
The Owens Corning Platinum advantage
DeHart Roofing is the only OC Platinum Preferred contractor in Stanislaus and Merced counties. The Platinum tier gives you the strongest warranty Owens Corning offers:
- 50 years material coverage (vs. 25 for standard).
- 25 years labor coverage — the factory pays the install crew if a covered failure happens.
- Tear-off coverage — the cost of removing the failed roof is included.
- Transferable to one future buyer — helpful when you sell.
This is a higher tier than what 99% of contractors can offer. It is the single biggest reason homeowners choose us over a lower bid.
Real-world warranty claim — what actually happens
If a covered failure occurs, here is the actual process:
- You call DeHart. We do a free inspection and photograph the failure.
- We file the claim with Owens Corning (or whichever manufacturer).
- The factory ships replacement material to our warehouse.
- We schedule the repair and complete it — under your Platinum warranty, labor is included.
The whole process is typically 2 to 4 weeks. You do not pay out of pocket if the failure is covered.