What It Means To Be GAF Certified Contractor

Are you in the process of hiring a contractor for a GAF roofing project? If so, you may have come across the term “GAF Certified Contractor“. But what does it mean to be one, and why is it important for you as a homeowner?

In this blog post, we’ll delve into the criteria for becoming a GAF Certified Roofing Contractor and discuss the benefits of hiring GAF-certified roofers for your roofing project. We’ll also provide some tips for finding a certified contractor in your area. So, dive in!

Who Is GAF? 

GAF (General Aniline & Film) is a leading manufacturer of roofing products in North America. The company was founded in 1886 and had a long history of producing high-quality roofing materials. GAF is known for its commitment to innovation and quality, and the company invests heavily in research and development to bring new and improved products to the market.

In addition to its manufacturing business, GAF also offers a range of services to contractors, including training and certification programs, technical support, and marketing resources. These services are designed to help contractors grow their businesses and provide the best possible service to their customers.

What Is A GAF Certified Contractor?

A Certified Contractor is a roofing contractor who GAF has recognized for their professionalism and expertise in the roofing industry. Only a small percentage of roofing contractors are invited to become certified roofing contractors. Moreover, the GAF certification cannot be purchased— it must be earned by meeting the required criteria.

As a homeowner, hiring a certified contractor can provide you with additional peace of mind and assurance that your roofing project will be completed to the highest standards. This helps protect your investment and ensure your roof’s long-term durability and performance.

This Certified Contractor program is designed to help consumers identify contractors who have met specific training standards, education, experience, and quality control standards. At Hepler Contracting LLC, we are proud to be GAF Certified™ Contractors and provide our expertise to Pittsburgh homeowners on their roofing projects.

What Are The Requirements To Become A GAF Certified Contractor?

To become a certified contractor, you must meet the following criteria:

• Have a minimum of 3 years of experience in the roofing industry.
• Be properly insured and licensed, including $1 million in liability and worker’s compensation insurance, as state law requires.
• Have a good reputation and be trustworthy, as demonstrated by a good standing with the Better Business Bureau and a good credit rating, according to Experian.
• Be highly qualified, with up-to-date knowledge of the latest technology and practices, and a track record of providing high-quality roofing services to property owners.
• Have a high rating in property owner job satisfaction and be able to offer the strongest GAF warranties.
• To maintain their certification, contractors must renew their certification annually and continue to meet the above criteria.

Advantages That You Get If Your Contractor Is GAF Certified

Did you know that if your contractor is certified by GAF, you have a whole world of benefits waiting for you?

It’s true! Read further to find out.

Roofers Who Are Trained & Certified By GAF

As any homeowner, they’ll tell you they want their roofing project to be handled by a skilled and knowledgeable professional.

Being a GAF Certified Contractor means that your selected contractor has access to ongoing professional training and support from the manufacturer, which helps them provide the best possible service to their customers. In addition, this training can help them to do their job more effectively and efficiently, ensuring that your roofing project is completed to the highest standards.

You Can Get Access To Extended Warranties

As a homeowner, you should be able to count on your roof to protect yourself and your family from the elements. When you hire certified roofing contractors, you can also access extended warranties on GAF roofing shingles installed by the contractor. This can provide added peace of mind and help contractors differentiate themselves from their competition.

GAF offers a range of extended warranty options to its certified contractors, including the GAF Silver Pledge™ Limited Warranty and the GAF Golden Pledge® Limited Warranty. These warranties provide materials and labor coverage and are available for residential and commercial projects.

The specific terms and conditions of the extended warranties will depend on the specific warranty chosen, so it’s important to discuss the available options with your certified contractor to determine the best option for your specific project.

Overall, extended warranties can provide added protection for your roofing investment and help ensure your roof’s long-term durability and performance!

Increased Credibility And Professionalism

When you’re looking for a roofing contractor, you want to work with someone who is experienced, reliable, and can get the job done right. You also want to feel confident that your contractor will be around for years to come. Hiring GAF Certified Contractors will assure you that you’re working with a highly skilled and knowledgeable professional.

GAF Certification is a rigorous process that requires contractors to meet specific requirements and qualifications. This demonstrates to customers and other industry professionals that the contractor is committed to providing high-quality work and staying current on knowledge in their field.

Safety Of Work

When you’re building a new home or upgrading your roof, safety is a critical aspect of the project, with good reason! GAF takes safety very seriously and has implemented a range of measures to prevent workplace accidents, train contractors in best practices, and provide high-quality supply products that are safe for building occupants and the environment.

As a homeowner, you have every right to feel confident that your contractor has received training in best practices of safety and is committed to upholding the highest standards of safety on the job. This can help ensure that your roofing project is completed safely and without incident, protecting the well-being of the contractors and building occupants.

Levels Of GAF Certifications

GAF offers several levels of certification for contractors. They choose contractors through a rigorous process, as they state: “At GAF, we evaluate thousands of roofers in the country and make sure they’re insured and have state licenses (in states that require them), so they can offer our best warranties.”

Let’s take a look at the certifications offered to contractors:

GAF Certified Contractor

The GAF Certified Contractor is the standard level of certification offered by GAF and is open to contractors who meet the necessary requirements and qualifications.

They can provide you with added peace of mind knowing that you are working with a contractor who has met the necessary requirements and qualifications to become certified.

Moreover, they can offer the GAF System Plus Limited Warranty, which increases your Smart Choice® Protection Period from 10 to 50 years and includes tear-offs. This can provide added protection for your roofing investment and help ensure your roof’s long-term durability and performance.

GAF Master Elite Contractor

The GAF Master Elite Contractor is the highest level of certification offered by GAF and is reserved for contractors who have demonstrated a high level of professionalism, expertise, and customer satisfaction.

According to GAF, only 2% of contractors are eligible for this certification. To become a GAF Master Elite Contractor, contractors must meet strict requirements and qualifications, including a proven track record of installing GAF roofing products and a commitment to ongoing professional training and education.

GAF Master Elite Contractor can provide you with added peace of mind knowing that you are working with a highly skilled and experienced professional who has met the highest standards for certification.

These roofing contractors can offer the most inclusive warranties in the roofing business, like GAF Silver Pledge™ Limited Warranty and the GAF Golden Pledge® Limited Warranty.

This provides customers with added protection for their roofing investment. Even if you don’t purchase one of our warranties, you can have peace of mind knowing that each job will be handled by experienced craftsmen using top-quality materials.

Bonus: GAF’s Presidential Club Award

Although this is not a certification but rather a distinct award presented to certain roofers every year. This award recognizes Master Elite contractors who have achieved a high level of sales of GAF’s Golden Pledge Limited Warranties in a given year.

The Golden Pledge Limited Warranty is a premium roofing warranty offered by GAF that provides extended coverage for certain roofing products. It is only available to Master Elite contractors and provides homeowners with additional protection beyond the standard manufacturer’s warranty.

To qualify for the President’s Club award, roofing contractors must sell and register a certain number of Golden Pledge Limited Warranties within a calendar year. This award is meant to recognize and reward contractors who have achieved a high level of success in selling and installing GAF roofing products and providing exceptional customer service.

Get Roofing Services From A Professional GAF Certified Contractor In The Greater Pittsburgh Area

As a homeowner, hiring a GAF Certified Contractor can provide you with numerous benefits, including access to extended warranties, increased credibility and professionalism, and the peace of mind of knowing that you are working with a skilled and knowledgeable professional.

If you are in the Greater Pittsburgh area and are in need of roofing services, consider contacting Hepler Contracting LLC. We are a GAF Certified Roofing Contractor team that offers a range of residential and commercial roofing services, including:

• Roof Repair
• Roof Replacement
• Emergency Roofing Services
• Home Exterior Services

We also offer a ten-year roof installation warranty, providing added protection for your roofing investment. Contact Hepler Contracting LLC at (412) 694-8785 to learn more about our services, or to schedule a free roof inspection.