A warranty name is not a complete explanation of coverage. Before choosing a roof, ask which document applies, what it covers, who stands behind it, and what you need to do if a problem appears.
For a Kalamazoo or Portage homeowner comparing proposals, those questions are more useful than accepting the longest-sounding warranty label.
Separate the documents before comparing them
Manufacturer product coverage
This coverage addresses specified product issues under the manufacturer’s terms. The exact product and warranty program matter, including eligibility, exclusions, and any applicable registration requirements. CertainTeed provides the coverage terms for the selected Landmark system. CertainTeed: Landmark shingles and warranty terms
Contractor workmanship coverage
A contractor’s workmanship guarantee concerns the installation under the stated agreement. Read the duration, responsibilities, exclusions, and claim process. Do not assume it is identical to the manufacturer’s product warranty.
Enhanced manufacturer programs
Some manufacturer programs can include additional coverage when their requirements are satisfied. That does not mean every job using that brand receives the same protection. Ask the contractor to name the specific program included in your price and provide the actual document. CertainTeed: Landmark shingles and warranty terms
What does “limited lifetime” mean?
The term has a definition in the applicable document. It is not a promise that every repair, every cause of damage, or every future owner is covered without conditions. Request the wording for the selected system instead of relying on a verbal explanation.
Review CertainTeed’s current Landmark warranty document alongside the product selection and contractor proposal. Product eligibility and installation requirements belong in the discussion. CertainTeed: Landmark shingles and warranty terms
Ask these questions before you sign
What is covered, and what is excluded?
Ask about materials, labor, removal, disposal, and installation issues where relevant. Get answers tied to the actual documents rather than a general statement that the roof is “fully covered.”
Does coverage change over time?
Find out whether any benefit changes with the age of the roof or other conditions. Ask the contractor to point to the applicable section and explain how it relates to your project.
What happens if the house is sold?
Ask whether coverage can transfer and what steps or deadlines apply. Do not assume a transfer is automatic or that all coverage follows the property in the same way.
Who receives a claim?
Keep the contact information, required records, and reporting procedure together. A workmanship concern and a product concern can involve different parties.
Keep the installation record with the warranties
Save the signed proposal, invoice, product names, photos, warranty documents, and any registration confirmation. If an optional program was purchased, keep evidence of which coverage was issued.
Do not treat a contractor’s marketing page as a substitute for these records. The written terms are what allow you to understand the actual commitment.
What Apex provides
Apex installs CertainTeed Landmark architectural shingles and provides a written workmanship guarantee. No enhanced manufacturer program is included unless it is specifically identified in your proposal and its eligibility requirements are met. Ask to review the terms included with your proposal. Your proposal includes the applicable guarantee terms, including its duration and requirements.
Start with a free inspection, then review the roofing recommendation and coverage together before deciding.