Quick answer: A quality NZ roofing warranty includes a 5-year workmanship warranty from the contractor AND a manufacturer’s product warranty (typically 30–50 years for Colorsteel). Always get warranty terms in writing. For reviews, check Google, No Cowboys, and BuildersCrack for patterns across multiple jobs.
Roofing warranties and contractor reviews are two of the most important — and least understood — factors when choosing a roofer in New Zealand. A roof lasts decades; the contractor’s warranty and reputation should give you confidence that the installation will perform as expected. This guide explains what to look for.
Understanding Roofing Warranties in NZ
There are two distinct types of roofing warranty:
1. Workmanship Warranty (Contractor Warranty)
This covers the installation quality — meaning if the roof leaks due to a workmanship error within the warranty period, the contractor comes back and fixes it at no cost.
What a good workmanship warranty looks like:
- Duration: 5 years minimum for new roof installations; 2 years for major repairs
- Scope: Covers any leak or failure caused by installation error
- Written: Issued in writing, clearly describing what is and isn’t covered
- Transferable: Some warranties are transferable to new owners on property sale — ask about this
Red flags:
- No warranty offered
- Verbal warranty only
- Short warranty (under 2 years on a full roof)
- Significant exclusions that cover almost everything
OneRoofing provides a 5-year workmanship warranty on all new roof installations and major repairs, issued in writing with each job.
2. Product/Manufacturer Warranty
This covers the roofing materials against manufacturing defects and coating failure.
Colorsteel warranties (Lysaght/BlueScope):
| Product | Coating Warranty |
|---|---|
| Colorsteel Endura | 30 years |
| Colorsteel Maxx Endura | 30 years |
| Colorsteel Hi-ten (marine) | 10–15 years (coastal-rated) |
Important: Colorsteel’s product warranty typically requires:
- Installation by a registered Colorsteel installer
- Correct specification for wind zone and coastal category
- Maintenance performed (annual inspection, gutter cleaning)
- No unapproved modifications
Always ask your contractor to confirm the product warranty conditions are met by their installation.
What Isn’t Covered by Most Roofing Warranties
Understanding exclusions prevents unpleasant surprises:
- Storm damage — covered by home insurance, not the roofing warranty
- Damage from other tradespeople — if a plumber damages your roof, it’s their liability
- Gradual wear and aging — normal aging of materials over the warranty period
- Blockages from debris — owner maintenance responsibility
- Work done without consent (where required) — may void warranty
- Damage from overhanging trees or impact
How to Read NZ Roofing Reviews
Not all reviews are created equal. Here’s how to read them critically:
Google Reviews
What to trust:
- Reviews with specific project details (type of work, suburb, timeframe)
- Responses to positive AND negative reviews — shows professionalism
- Volume of reviews over an extended period (not 50 reviews in one month)
- Consistent themes across multiple reviews
Red flags:
- Many 5-star reviews with generic text (“great service!”)
- Dramatic spike in review volume in a short period
- No response to negative reviews
- Only one platform with reviews (legitimate companies have reviews in multiple places)
No Cowboys (nocowboys.co.nz)
NZ’s most trusted tradesperson review platform. Reviews are verified against actual jobs completed. No Cowboys allows homeowners to post with job verification — harder to fake than Google.
BuildersCrack (builderscrack.co.nz)
Shows contractor’s completed job history with client ratings. Useful for seeing how many jobs a contractor has completed and their historical rating.
Neighbourly
Community recommendations from verified local residents. Particularly useful for finding locally-trusted contractors.
The OneRoofing Warranty & Review Position
Our warranty:
- 5-year workmanship warranty on all new roof installations
- 2-year workmanship warranty on major repairs
- All warranties issued in writing
- Warranties are transferable to new owners on property sale
Our reviews:
- 4.9-star Google rating across 147+ verified reviews
- Active presence on No Cowboys
- Respond to all reviews, including negative feedback
Questions to Ask About Warranty Before Signing
- “Is the workmanship warranty in writing?”
- “How long does it cover?”
- “What does it specifically cover and exclude?”
- “Is it transferable if I sell the property?”
- “What product warranty does the material carry?”
- “What are the conditions I need to meet to keep the product warranty valid?”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a standard roofing warranty in NZ? The industry standard for quality NZ roofing contractors is a 5-year workmanship warranty for new installations. Anything under 2 years should be considered substandard. Material warranties vary by product.
Can I claim on a roofing warranty if the contractor is no longer in business? No — a workmanship warranty is only as good as the company behind it. This is another reason to choose an established contractor with a track record rather than a new operator.
Does home insurance replace the roofing warranty? No. Home insurance covers sudden accidental damage (storms, hail, impact). A workmanship warranty covers installation errors. They serve different purposes and you need both.
How do I make a warranty claim with OneRoofing? Call us on 022 196 9021 or email [email protected]. We will arrange a site visit within 2 working days and assess whether the issue is covered under warranty. If it is, we repair at no cost.
Want a 5-year guaranteed roof? Call 022 196 9021 or request a written quote with warranty terms. OneRoofing — every job backed in writing.
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