Hello Tin Man,
My name is Eric, I'd like to help by offering my comments on your questions.
The guarantee's associated with new homes vary in immense proportions. Another note, which I will mention in a moment, may allow you to bypass chasing a home builder or a roofing contractor to remedy your issue.
Many home builders in my area (Calgary), offer 2 year guarrantee's, although some last longer, during which period the builder personally coordinates any and all repairs to the roof. To initiate such a claim, the claim must be submitted prior to the end of the guarrantee period. Check with the home builder to see what length of time they guarantee their work.
One of my customers, a larger residential roofing company, installs roof systems exclusiverly for 3 larger home builders here. After the 2 year period of builder liable guarantee period, claims are forwarded to my customer. I should explain here, I am a repair specialist, this is why I refer to this roofing company as a customer, I handle their (and other companies as well) repair and service related issues.
www.calgary-roofing.com Anyways, ...claims are forwarded to my customer. And as any professional roofing contractor would, they repair (through me) any and all roof issues as top priority. Whether fault of defective products, roofer workmanship or other contractor damages, they stand behind their work.
Contact the home builder first, then contact the roofing company that installed your roof.
Should you still get nowhere, remember that quality manufacturers such as GAF/ELK
www.gaf.com offer some excellent guarantee's on their products, many of which include labor costs associated with the required repairs. If the home builder and roofing company don't come through, you may be able to get some assistance out of the manufacturer...depending of course on what manufacturer made the products on your roof...and depending of corse on the cause of the problem ie: workmanship vrs. defective products.
The thing is tin man, you may be right out of luck here, but I'd say you stand a %60 or so chance of getting a free repair.
Hopefully your house was built by a good home builder, good roofing contractor and a good manufacturer!
If you end up choosing another roofing company to fix your problem, have a quick read through of this article, it may help you choose a good reliable contractor for the job:
http://www.calgary-roofing.com/6_must_haves_of_calgary_roofing_contractors
All the best!
