Scroll through a roofing company’s website, and you’ll find a collection of badges, awards, and certifications. The problem? Not all of them tell you much about the contractor behind the logo.
But the GAF President’s Club status is different. It’s one of the roofing industry’s more exclusive recognitions. GAF reserves it for contractors who consistently meet its high standards for performance and customer satisfaction. President’s Club members must also complete GAF training and pass GAF inspections of the work they do.
Here’s what it means when a roofing contractor has GAF President’s Club status, why it’s difficult to earn, and why you should look for it when choosing a Salt Lake City roofing company.
What GAF’s Contractor Designations Mean
GAF is North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, and it runs one of the most respected contractor certification programs in the industry.1 The first level of GAF certification a roofing contractor can obtain is Master Elite® status, a designation held by only about 2% of roofing contractors nationwide.
To become a GAF Master Elite® contractor, a roofing company has to meet strict standards. GAF looks for proper licensing, adequate insurance coverage, business practices, and commitment to ongoing training before awarding the designation. This screening process helps ensure that contractors have the experience and qualifications to represent the GAF brand.
Master Elite® status also requires an ongoing commitment. Contractors must continue to complete GAF training and maintain good standing within the program to keep the designation. It isn’t a certification that a company earns once and displays forever. Contractors have to continue meeting GAF’s standards year after year.
GAF reserves President’s Club status for a small subset of Master Elite® contractors who consistently perform at the top of the program year over year.
Why President’s Club Status Is Hard to Earn
The difference between Master Elite® and President’s Club comes down to performance within the program. Master Elite® recognizes contractors who meet GAF’s qualification standards, while President’s Club recognizes a select group of Master Elite® contractors who demonstrate exceptional results.
To earn President’s Club recognition, contractors must demonstrate excellence in three areas:
- Performance: Completing qualifying GAF roofing installations and meeting GAF’s standards for workmanship.
- Reliability: Maintaining a strong track record and meeting GAF’s ongoing program requirements.
- Service: Delivering a positive customer experience and maintaining strong satisfaction ratings.
The recognition reflects a roofing contractor’s consistent performance within the GAF program, giving you another way to identify companies that have demonstrated experience, reliability, and a commitment to quality.
What It Means for Your Warranty and Materials
Manufacturer certifications don’t just help you find a skilled contractor; they can also offer stronger warranty coverage than you would get from an uncertified installer.
A standard manufacturer’s warranty on shingles typically covers defects in the material itself, not the labor that put it on your roof. If a crew installs a great shingle poorly, the warranty may not cover the resulting leak.
GAF Master Elite® contractors gain access to enhanced warranty options that cover both materials and workmanship. This type of coverage closes the gap. For a homeowner, that difference can mean the choice between a covered roof repair and an expensive one paid entirely out of pocket.
Ask any contractor bidding on your roof what level of warranty they can offer.
How GAF Recognition Sets Contractors Apart
Salt Lake City roofs face demanding conditions, from intense summer heat and UV exposure to heavy snow and ice. Those conditions test roofing materials and the quality of the installation.
A newly-installed roof can look great, but it’s the small installation details that determine how it performs years later. Proper ventilation, shingle installation, flashing, and material handling all play a role in preventing problems like moisture intrusion and ice dams.
GAF recognition helps homeowners identify contractors who have demonstrated a commitment to those details. GAF-certified roofers receive training on best installation techniques and practices to help roofs perform in challenging environments.
For homeowners in Utah, choosing a contractor with proven training and experience provides added confidence that the installation is made to handle the conditions it will face.
How to Verify a Contractor’s GAF Status
Don’t take a certification claim at face value. GAF-certified roofers should be able to point you to their listing on GAF’s own contractor locator. You can do a quick search in just a couple of minutes and confirm whether the badge on a company’s website matches the certification GAF has on record.
A few questions worth asking before you hire anyone:
- What’s your current GAF certification level, and can you show it on GAF’s website?
- Do you hold President’s Club recognition, and for how many years?
- What warranty coverage does your certification level provide for my project?
A contractor confident in their status will answer these without hesitation.
What You Risk With an Uncertified Installer
Plenty of licensed, legitimate roofing companies operate without any manufacturer certification at all. That doesn’t automatically make them a bad choice, but it does shift more of the risk onto you.
Without certification, a contractor typically can’t offer the enhanced workmanship warranty that comes with programs like GAF’s. If something goes wrong with the installation, you may be left covering the repair cost yourself.
None of this means every uncertified roofer will do poor work. It means you’re taking on more of the verification work yourself instead of relying on a manufacturer that’s already done it.
Choosing a Certified Contractor for Your Roof
Certifications exist to help you make a faster, more confident decision. GAF Master Elite® and President’s Club status tell you a contractor has been vetted by GAF and held to a standard most companies never reach.
BigHorn Roofing built its reputation on that standard, earning GAF Master Elite® President’s Club recognition while serving homeowners across Salt Lake City, Park City, and Utah County. Whatever contractor you choose, ask to see the certification, not just hear about it.
Sources:
1https://www.gaf.com/en-us/about-us