Remember that there are several shingles manufacturers, and some are contractor rewards programs. In addition, other roofing shingles manufacturers like GAF take very seriously whom they handle their credentials, especially their GAF Master Elite Certification.
The top shingles manufacturers you can take seriously are GAF and Owens Corning.
This Shingles Manufacturer has two levels of certification that are:
GAF
- GAF Certified Contractor
- GAF Master Elite
OWENS CORNING
- Owens Corning Preferred Contractor
- Owens Corning Platinum Contractor
In both shingles, manufacturers have entry-level requirements to earn a very easy minimum, like having an office, registered business, general liability insurance, etc.
But the GAF Master Elite credentials and Owens Corning Platinum Credentials are tough to earn. Therefore, they are extremely cautious about whom they handle their credentials, and the contractor has to pass a rigorous verification process as a background check and credit check. Plus, the feedback from 60 customers for the last three years in a row on customers with their roofing installation under their entry-level certification plus their construction knowledge.
If you live in a state with no roofing licensing requirement, hiring a contractor with these credentials can benefit you as a consumer.
Also, and most importantly, hiring these contractors unlocks some warranties that a GAF Master Elite Contractor and Owens Corning Platinum Contractor can only handle. For example, a GAF Master Elite Contractor can give you a warranty where the shingles are guaranteed for 50 years against manufacturer defects and 25 years of protection against installation errors. Everything is covered by your manufacturer’s shingles, not your roofing contractor.
I know that manufacturer warranties have many gaps. Still, when you get one of these warranties in your house, your contractor has to comply with manufacturer installation standards and provide you with premier shingles, not second-hand shingles, AKA recycles shingles. These, AKA defective shingles, didn’t pass the quality control. But the contractor has to register those warranties and make sure to receive the guarantee in writing. If you don’t have it on paper, you don’t have anything.