So, I have gone down and back up the rabbit hole of roof replacement, and have narrowed things down to two quotes that are acceptable (difference of a couple of thousand $), the only difference being the shingle manufacturer, the warranty, and the type of installer.

Company A :

CertainTeed Landmark Pro

CertainTeed ShingleMaster

20 year warranty on labor by the company, plus the "50 year" materials.

Local company, owner is a roofer, would be on site, his crew, not subcontracted.

Company 12 years old, and growing, good reviews

Company B :

Owens Corning Duration AR

Owens Corning Platinum Preferred

25 year warranty on labor by Owens Corning plus "50 year" on materials.

Local owned franchise, person from the company would be on site, crew contracted from a select set of crews that are certified.

Local Franchise is 3 years old, good reviews, owner a former finance guy

All things being equal, I would think that getting the labor guarantee from the company itself is better, and the owner is very involved in the on the ground business, while the other company leverages the manufacturers warranty, and franchises come and go.

I hear (online) good and bad things about both manufacturers, but both seem to be good enough shingles (Landmark Pro vs OC Duration AR)

Thoughts ?