How Long Does a Workmanship Warranty Last?
There is no single legal length. It is whatever your contractor offers in writing, and it usually reflects the kind of work.
The short answer
As long as your contractor says in writing, and it usually reflects the size of the job.
A workmanship warranty lasts as long as the contractor's written terms say. There is no standard length set by law. In practice, small repairs tend to carry shorter warranties, often around a year, while full replacements and larger works usually carry longer ones, sometimes many years. The start date matters too: most run from completion. Whatever the length, check the exact terms in your quote or contract before you commit, and keep a copy.
Your legal rights don't end when a warranty does. They run alongside it, as explained below. For how warranties work more generally, read workmanship warranties explained.
Why the length varies
Repairs and replacements are different promises
A repair is work on something that is already old. The contractor fixes one part, but the rest of the roof or wall is as it was, and a different part can fail next winter. That is why repair warranties tend to be shorter: the contractor can stand behind the patch they made, but not the whole structure around it.
A full replacement is different. Everything is new, the contractor chose the materials and fitted the whole thing, and it is reasonable to expect it to last far longer. Longer warranties on this kind of work are common.
The length also tells you something about the contractor's confidence. It is worth asking why a period was chosen. A clear answer is a good sign.
What to check
Read these points in any warranty
The start date
Most workmanship warranties run from completion. Check that is what yours says, and keep a record of the completion date.
What is covered
A workmanship warranty covers the work itself. Materials may have their own manufacturer's guarantee. See does a warranty cover materials?
The conditions
Some warranties require you to report problems promptly, allow access for inspection or not let others alter the work. Know these before you need to use them.
Who gives it
The warranty comes from the business that did the work. If that business stops trading, a standard warranty normally stops being something you can claim on.
Insurance-backed cover
Some contractors offer a warranty backed by an insurer, designed to continue if they cease trading. If you are offered one, ask for the policy details and who the insurer is.
That it is in writing
A warranty mentioned on site but not written down is hard to rely on. Ask for the terms in your quote or contract.
A warranty is a promise on top of your legal rights, not instead of them. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a service must be carried out with reasonable care and skill, and that applies whether or not a warranty exists. Legal claims have their own time limits, which are separate from the warranty period and differ between parts of the UK. Citizens Advice explains them. This is general information, not legal advice.
When the warranty is running out
Make the most of the period you have
Diarise the end date. A few weeks before it, look over the work, ideally after heavy rain if it is a roof, and report anything that concerns you in writing while the warranty is still running. A problem reported inside the period is much easier to deal with than one raised the week after.
Keep the paperwork together: the quote, the warranty terms, any invoice and completion confirmation, and photographs of the finished work. Our guide on keeping evidence and records explains what to hold on to.
Before you sign
Five questions that pin a warranty down
Ask these while you are comparing quotes, not after something has gone wrong.
How long, and from when?
Get the period and the start date in writing. "From completion" is the usual answer; if it is something else, ask why.
What exactly does it cover?
The workmanship on the whole job, or only part of it? On a repair, does it cover the area repaired or the wider roof? Clear wording now avoids a disagreement later.
Who covers the materials?
Manufacturers often give their own product guarantees, sometimes only if the product is fitted in a particular way. Ask who you would claim against for a faulty product.
What do I need to do to keep it valid?
Some warranties ask you to arrange routine maintenance, or to report problems within a set time. Know what you are signing up to.
What happens if your business stops trading?
A fair question, not an insulting one. The answer tells you whether any insurance-backed cover is offered. Our guide on what to do before accepting a quote has more questions worth asking.
If you use Mortaro
A 12-month minimum across our network
Every contractor in our network agrees to a minimum 12-month workmanship warranty. On larger works and full replacements, warranty periods are typically longer, often in the region of five to ten years. The warranty is your contractor's, not Mortaro's. It usually runs from completion, and the exact terms are set by your contractor and confirmed in your quotation before you commit.
If something covered by the warranty needs attention, tell us and we raise it with your contractor. More on putting things right and on how quotations work.
Straight answers
Questions about warranty length
Is a longer warranty always better?
Not on its own. A long warranty from a business that may not be around is worth less than a shorter one from an established firm. Look at the terms, the conditions and who stands behind it.
Does the warranty transfer if I sell my home?
It depends on the terms. Some warranties transfer to a new owner, others don't. Ask the contractor and check the wording.
Start here
Tell us about the work you have in mind
We will confirm we cover your postcode, arrange a site visit with a contractor from our network and send you a written quotation. No charge, no obligation.