Hiring a roofing contractor is a major decision—after all, you're entrusting them with the long-term protection of your home. That's why doing your research is important. Knowing how to evaluate a contractor is the first step toward making an informed choice.
A good starting point is checking consumer reviews, which can provide insights into a contractor's reliability, professionalism, and workmanship. Reviews highlight details, such as how well the crew cleaned up after the job and whether final results met expectations. Beyond reviews, evaluating a contractor's certifications, industry awards, and recognitions—such as the GAF President's Club Award—can further help you identify a trustworthy professional who meets high standards of quality and service.
Certifications
Many roofing manufacturers, including GAF, offer certification programs to contractors who meet specific criteria. These requirements typically include a minimum number of years in business, proper licensing and insurance (where required), and a positive standing with the Better Business Bureau.
Certified contractors often have access to enhanced manufacturer-backed warranties, providing homeowners with greater peace of mind. For example, GAF awards its Master Elite® Contractor designation to fewer than 2% of all roofing contractors. Only Master Elite® Contractors can offer the GAF Golden Pledge® Limited Warranty*, which includes up to 30 years of workmanship coverage.
The Master Elite® designation means a lot to the contractors who earn it, too. According to Justin O'Neal, owner of FairClaims Roofing & Construction in Texas, "The Master Elite® contractor program offers training, education, and mentoring opportunities that allowed us to stand out from other contractors—especially in Texas, an unlicensed state where we have a lot of unregulated competition."
Awards and Recognitions
While the GAF Master Elite® badge signifies an elite level of expertise, the GAF President's Club Award takes it a step further. Fewer than half of Master Elite® contractors qualify for this prestigious distinction, which recognizes excellence in three key areas: performance, reliability, and service.
This award signifies that, over the past year, the contractor has installed a minimum number of complete GAF roofing systems that qualify for GAF's highest warranties—all while maintaining consistently outstanding customer reviews. If you're looking for top-tier experience and excellence in residential roofing, no other designation carries as much weight.
The Crème de la Crème: The GAF President's Club Award
The GAF President's Club Award is a level of recognition that contractors strive to achieve. "When you want to represent yourself as the best of the best, hitting those benchmarks is a goal we set as a team, because we do want to be the best," says O'Neal. "[The President's Club Award] differentiates you and shows what you're about; it shows your commitment to excellence and puts you in a very high tier."
O'Neal describes the GAF President's Club level of achievement as the ultimate security blanket for homeowners. "Being able to say you're a Master Elite® contractor and what that means, but to be able to further differentiate yourself among other Master Elite® contractors by earning the GAF President's Club Award, lets homeowners know they're hiring reputable people they can trust."
The backing of GAF has elevated O'Neal's company to a new level of trust with homeowners. "Having a company that not only allows you to offer better warranties on their products but also stands behind the workmanship of the installation speaks volumes. You don't have to trust us. You can trust the largest manufacturer in North America," he explains.
When you choose a GAF Master Elite® President's Club Award recipient, you know your home is in the best hands possible.
Feeling Secure in Your Long-Term Investment
Wishing you success with your roofing project! Remember, you can always find contractors certified by GAF** at the GAF Contractor Locator. Check under "Certifications and Awards" for individual details, such as GAF President's Club 1-Star Winners, 2-Star Winners, and 3-Star Winners.
*Definition of Lifetime: The word "Lifetime" means as long as you, the original owner(s) [or the second owner(s) if coverage was properly transferred during the Smart Choice Protection Period], own the property where the shingles and/or accessories are installed. The Lifetime warranty is applicable only to shingles and accessories installed on a single-family detached residence owned by individuals. For any other type of owner or building, such as a corporation, governmental entity, religious entity, condominium or homeowner association, school, apartment building, office building, or multi-use structure, the length of the warranty is 40 years. See the GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty, GAF Roofing System Limited Warranty and GAF Golden Pledge Limited Warranty for complete coverage and restrictions.
**Contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses. Contractors may receive benefits, such as loyalty rewards points and discounts on marketing tools from GAF for participating in the program and offering GAF enhanced warranties, which require the use of a minimum amount of GAF products.
