Warranty Transfer Options: How They Work

Most homeowners don't even know this is a thing — but if you've got a roof or siding system with a manufacturer warranty, you can usually transfer that warranty to the next owner when you sell.

I bring this up with every homeowner we work with because it's one of the easiest ways to add real value to your home at resale. A transferable warranty tells the buyer: "This roof was done right, by a real contractor, with quality materials — and the manufacturer stands behind it."

That's a conversation-changer at the negotiating table. Let me walk you through how it actually works.

Why This Matters More Than You'd Think

A roof replacement runs $10,000-$20,000 or more in the Twin Cities. When a buyer inherits a 25-year manufacturer warranty on that system, it takes a major worry off their plate. They're not lying awake wondering if they'll need a $15,000 roof in three years.

For sellers, it's leverage. Homes with transferable warranties attract more serious offers and tend to close faster. I've seen warranty documentation be the difference between a buyer choosing between two similar homes in Eden Prairie — same neighborhood, same price range. The one with the warranty folder won.

How the Transfer Process Works

Here's the part that trips people up: warranty transfers aren't automatic. You can't just hand the buyer your original paperwork and call it done. There's a process, and it has a hard deadline.

Step 1: Dig up your original paperwork. Your purchase invoice, warranty certificate, and installation date. If you can't find it, call your contractor — we keep records of every job.

Step 2: Notify the manufacturer within 30-60 days of closing. This is the hard deadline. Miss it, and most manufacturers won't process the transfer. I've seen homeowners miss it by a week and lose the entire transfer option.

Step 3: Complete the transfer form. The manufacturer provides a simple form — original installation details, new owner info, property address. Takes about 10 minutes.

Step 4: Pay the transfer fee (if there is one). Some manufacturers charge $50-$300. Others do it free. This is usually negotiated at closing.

Step 5: Understand what transfers and what doesn't. Here's the catch — most transferred warranties cover materials only. The labor portion usually doesn't carry over to the new owner. Still valuable, but know what you're getting.

What Each Manufacturer Offers

I install products from most of these manufacturers, so I deal with their warranty departments regularly. Here's what you need to know:

Malarkey Roofing — Free transfer within 30 days. Prorated material coverage transfers, but labor doesn't carry over. Malarkey makes this pretty painless.

CertainTeed — Free transfer within 30 days. Prorated material only for the new owner. You need the original warranty to have been registered at installation — if your contractor didn't register it, you might be stuck.

Atlas Roofing — Free transfer within 30 days. Material warranty transfers with proration. Atlas is generally easy to work with on these.

Owens Corning — $100-$150 transfer fee, 60-day window. Coverage reduces to about 50% for the first five years after transfer. More expensive to transfer but OC has a strong reputation with buyers.

James Hardie (siding) — Free transfer, but the original warranty must have been registered. 60-day window. The 30-year material warranty transfers; labor doesn't.

LP SmartSide (siding) — Free transfer within 30 days. Prorated 30-year material warranty carries over.

ProVia (windows and doors) — $75-$150 fee, 30-day window. Material coverage only for new owners.

Quick note: these policies change from time to time. Always confirm current terms directly with the manufacturer before you count on anything.

The Mistakes I See Over and Over

After 20 years of doing this, here are the things that go wrong most often:

Missing the deadline. I can't stress this enough. Mark your calendar the day you close. Set a reminder for two weeks after closing. The 30-60 day window is firm — manufacturers don't budge on this.

The original warranty was never registered. This is the one that really stings. Some contractors install and never register the warranty with the manufacturer. If that happened, the transfer might not be possible. When we do a job, we register every warranty before we leave. It takes five minutes and it protects the homeowner for decades.

Losing the paperwork. Scan everything. Back it up digitally. Put the physical copies in a folder with your closing documents. You'll need this when you sell.

Assuming coverage is the same after transfer. It usually isn't. The original owner typically has material + labor coverage. The new owner usually gets material only, and sometimes it's prorated. Not a dealbreaker, but set expectations honestly with the buyer.

Not mentioning it in the listing. If you've got a transferable warranty, put it in the listing. Tell your agent. Include it in the disclosure package. It's a differentiator — use it.

What Sellers Should Do Before Closing

Get your warranty docs together early — don't wait until the week of closing. Find your original install invoice and warranty certificate. Confirm the warranty was registered (call your contractor if you're not sure). Include warranty transfer information in your listing and disclosure documents. Have copies ready for the buyer at closing.

What Buyers Should Do After Closing

Don't let this slip. The 30-60 day clock starts at closing, and it goes fast. Request all warranty documentation before or at closing. Contact the manufacturer within the first two weeks — don't push it to the deadline. Complete the transfer form and submit it with your proof of sale. Pay the fee if there is one. File the transferred warranty certificate somewhere you won't lose it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my warranty if I've only owned the home a few years?

Yes. You can transfer at any point during the warranty period. The remaining coverage — usually prorated material — transfers to the new owner.

What if I can't find my original warranty certificate?

Call the contractor who installed the system. We keep records of every project, and most reputable contractors do the same. We can provide copies and help you confirm registration status.

Does it cost anything to transfer?

Depends on the manufacturer. Some are free (Malarkey, CertainTeed, Atlas), others charge $50-$300 (Owens Corning, ProVia). Usually the seller covers this as part of closing.

Does the transferred warranty cover labor?

Almost never. Transferred warranties typically cover materials only. The original homeowner had full material + labor coverage. That labor portion doesn't carry over. It's still valuable — if a shingle fails at year 12, the manufacturer replaces the material at no cost. You'd just pay for the labor to install it.

What if the manufacturer denies the transfer?

Get the denial in writing and find out why. The most common reasons are missed deadlines, missing registration, or incomplete documentation. If you installed through Modern Exterior Systems, we can pull our records and help make the case for you.

About Modern Exterior Systems

Modern Exterior Systems is a women-owned, family-operated roofing and exterior contractor based in Eden Prairie, MN, serving the Twin Cities metro since 2007. CertainTeed ShingleMaster and Malarkey Emerald certified. LIFETIME workmanship warranty on every project. BBB Accredited with an A+ rating.

Questions about your warranty? Call 952-206-6339 or visit modernexteriorsystems.com

Joe Dvorak | Modern Exterior Systems • Eden Prairie, MN