If you are selling your home in Florida, the roof is one of the first things buyers and their inspectors will scrutinize. A transferable roof warranty can be a powerful selling tool — but not all warranties transfer the same way. Here is what you need to know about transferring roof warranties from the major manufacturers and your roofing contractor.
Manufacturer Warranties: Most Are Transferable
The good news is that most major roofing manufacturers allow warranty transfers to new homeowners, though the terms and process vary.
GAF (Golden Pledge and Silver Pledge). GAF warranties are transferable within the first 20 years of installation. The new owner must register the transfer within 60 days of the property closing date. The first transfer is free. After transfer, the warranty coverage is reduced to a standard limited warranty with prorated coverage. The key requirement is that the roof must have been installed by a GAF-certified contractor and properly registered at the time of installation.
Owens Corning. Owens Corning's Platinum and Preferred Protection warranties are transferable one time. The new homeowner must notify Owens Corning in writing within 60 days of closing. The transferred warranty converts to a reduced coverage level. Like GAF, the original installation must have been performed by an Owens Corning contractor network member for the enhanced warranty to apply.
CertainTeed. CertainTeed warranties are transferable with written notification. The SureStart Plus warranty coverage is reduced after transfer, typically to a standard limited warranty. The transfer must be requested within the warranty term, and CertainTeed may require a roof inspection before approving the transfer.
Workmanship Warranties: The Contractor Variable
This is where things get complicated. The manufacturer warranty covers material defects — shingles that crack, delaminate, or fail prematurely due to manufacturing issues. The workmanship warranty covers the installation itself — improper fastening, flashing errors, underlayment problems, and other installation-related failures.
Workmanship warranties are issued by the installing contractor, not the manufacturer. Every contractor sets their own transfer policy. Some contractors include automatic transferability. Others restrict the warranty to the original purchaser. Some offer transfer for an additional fee. And some small or defunct contractors cannot honor any warranty because they are no longer in business.
Before selling your home, contact your roofing contractor and ask specifically whether the workmanship warranty transfers. Get the answer in writing and include it in your closing documents.
What Buyers Need to Know
If you are buying a Florida home with a newer roof, ask the seller for the original roofing contract, the manufacturer warranty registration number and certificate, the contractor's workmanship warranty terms including transfer policy, the permit number for the roof installation, and any inspection reports from the installation.
Verify the contractor is still in business and licensed in Florida by searching the DBPR license database. A warranty from a contractor who has closed or lost their license is effectively worthless.
How a Transferable Warranty Adds Value
In Florida's real estate market, the roof is a deal-maker or deal-breaker. Insurance companies increasingly refuse to write new policies on homes with roofs older than 15 to 20 years. Buyers know this and factor roof condition heavily into their offers. A transferable warranty from a reputable manufacturer and a still-active licensed contractor gives buyers immediate confidence and removes a major negotiation leverage point.
The Bottom Line
Most major manufacturer roof warranties are transferable with proper registration, though coverage is typically reduced after transfer. Workmanship warranties depend entirely on your contractor's policy. At Goliath Roofing, both our manufacturer warranties and our workmanship warranty transfer to new homeowners, giving our customers a tangible selling advantage when they list their home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I transfer my GAF roof warranty to the new homeowner?
Register the transfer through GAF's online portal within 60 days of closing. Provide the new owner with the original warranty registration number and installation details. The first transfer is typically free.
Does the workmanship warranty transfer to a new owner?
It depends on your contractor's policy. Manufacturer warranties usually transfer with registration. Goliath Roofing's workmanship warranty transfers automatically to new homeowners.
Will a transferable roof warranty increase my home's sale price?
Yes. Real estate agents report transferable roof warranties add $3,000 to $8,000 in perceived value by removing buyer uncertainty about roof condition and future costs.