Last spring, three roofers came out to look at our house. All three said they “use GAF.” It took us a while to learn that this can mean very different things. Using GAF shingles and being a GAF certified roofer are not the same.
If you’re shopping for a new roof in Houston, here’s what we wish we had known on day one.
Texas Doesn’t License Roofers
This surprised us most. The FTC tells homeowners to hire licensed contractors. But Texas has no state roofing license, and the state’s licensing agency doesn’t cover roofing.
So we looked for other proof. We asked every roofer for proof of insurance. We also asked about manufacturer credentials, since those come with their own checks.
GAF Has More Than One Contractor Tier
Almost any roofer can buy GAF shingles at a supply house. That doesn’t mean GAF has vetted them. GAF’s contractor programs include GAF Certified and Master Elite, and each one unlocks a different warranty.
A GAF Certified roofer can offer the System Plus warranty. It covers manufacturing defects on qualifying GAF products for up to 50 years. A Master Elite roofer can offer the Golden Pledge warranty. GAF says it adds up to 30 years of coverage for installation mistakes, which GAF calls misapplication.
That second part was the big one for us. A shingle defect is GAF’s problem. A bad install usually isn’t, unless your warranty says so.
What “Lifetime” Really Means
Our first quote promised a “lifetime warranty.” GAF does offer lifetime coverage, but the word has a specific meaning. It lasts as long as the original owner, or an eligible second owner, owns the home.
It also depends on the parts. GAF’s lifetime coverage on accessories needs Lifetime shingles plus at least three qualifying GAF accessories, like starter strips, ridge caps, or leak barrier. Our first quote said nothing about any of that. That was our first red flag.
When we started comparing notes, we found a clear write-up on GAF roofing installers in Houston. It walks through what a full GAF roof system includes. Reading it made our next round of questions much sharper.
Questions We Asked Every Roofer
- Can I see a certificate of your insurance?
- Which GAF tier are you, Certified or Master Elite?
- Which GAF warranty will you register for my roof?
- Does it cover installation mistakes, and for how long?
- Which GAF accessories are in this quote?
Don’t Skip the Basic Contractor Checks
A manufacturer badge is a great sign, but it’s not the whole story. We also ran every roofer through the FTC’s tips for avoiding home improvement scams. The advice is simple. Get more than one written estimate. Read the contract closely, and make sure every blank is filled in. Don’t pay the full amount up front.
The FTC also lists warning signs. Be careful with anyone who knocks on your door because they’re “in the area.” The same goes for anyone who says they have leftover materials or pushes you to decide right away.
What We’d Tell a Friend
Don’t stop at “we use GAF.” Ask which tier, which warranty, and what it covers. Then get it all in writing. It took us one extra week, and we slept a lot better once the new roof was on.
