UPDATED FOR 2026
Why Your "Certified" Roofer Might Not Know What They're Doing
Welcome to County Roofing’s “Roofing Industry Scams Uncovered”, a series designed to shine a light on untrustworthy practices within the roofing industry.
This series is designed to empower consumers by increasing awareness of unlawful or wrongful practices we’ve seen throughout our 35 years serving Long Island and the greater New York area with roofing services based on integrity and trust.
Key Takeaways:
- Many manufacturer certifications are based on purchasing volume—not actual training or competency testing of installation crews.
- Even certified contractors make installation errors that void warranties, and manufacturers use those errors to deny claims.
- State licenses have enforcement power while manufacturer certifications are just business relationships with no consumer recourse.
- NRCA ProCertification requires hands-on skills assessment, proving actual installation ability regardless of brand relationships.
- Verify all certifications independently on manufacturer websites and ask for documentation of actual training completed.
The contractor showed you their GAF Master Elite badge.
They pointed to certifications on their website. Mentioned their manufacturer relationships.
Everything looked professional.
But here’s what they didn’t tell you: some manufacturer certifications are handed out based on sales volume—not actual skills. Your “certified” contractor might have bought their credentials without ever completing real training.
Below, we’ll show you how to spot the difference between legitimate credentials and marketing badges.
The Manufacturer Certification System Explained
Most homeowners assume manufacturer certifications prove competency.
They don’t—at least not always.
How Contractors Earn Manufacturer Certifications
The major shingle manufacturers—GAF, CertainTeed, Owens Corning—run certification programs for contractors.
To earn higher certification tiers, contractors must:
- Purchase minimum annual volumes (often measured in “squares”)
- Maintain licensing and insurance requirements
- Meet customer satisfaction standards
- Complete some level of training
That last requirement is where things get interesting.
The Sales Volume Problem
Many certifications are heavily tied to purchasing power.
A contractor who buys 500 squares of GAF shingles per year qualifies for a higher tier than one who buys 100 squares—regardless of installation quality. The manufacturer wants to reward contractors who move the most product.
The risk? You hire a high-volume “certified” roofer who’s really just a sales machine.
Their crews might have high turnover. The actual installers on your roof might have never attended a training session. The company earned the certification by buying enough shingles—not by proving their teams know how to install them properly.
When Certifications Still Matter
Here’s the important part: manufacturer certifications do matter for warranty access.
GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Platinum Preferred, CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster—these certifications are prerequisites for enhanced warranties. You can’t get GAF Golden Pledge or Owens Corning Platinum Protection unless your contractor holds these credentials.
So the certification is necessary. It’s just not sufficient.
You need both the certification and proof of actual training.
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The Warranty Fine Print That Protects Manufacturers (Not You)
Even with certified contractors, manufacturers find ways to deny claims.
The Installation Error Loophole
Manufacturers sell certifications as a guarantee of quality installation.
But read the warranty fine print carefully. If the certified contractor makes one installation mistake—uses one nail too few per shingle, installs flashing incorrectly, provides inadequate ventilation—the manufacturer can use that mistake to void the warranty.
This creates a bizarre situation.
You hired a certified contractor specifically to avoid installation errors. The manufacturer certified that contractor as qualified. But when something goes wrong, the manufacturer blames improper installation and denies your claim.
The certification didn’t protect you at all.
The Irony Of Certified Failures
Here’s what makes this especially frustrating: manufacturers could prevent these problems.
They could inspect jobs during installation (some enhanced warranties require this). They could provide no-dollar-limit warranties that cover installations regardless of minor errors (common in commercial roofing). They could take responsibility for the contractors they certify.
Instead, they use installation errors as an escape hatch from warranty obligations.
That’s why you need more than just a manufacturer certification. You need contractors with independent, competency-based credentials.
License vs. Certification: What Actually Has Teeth
Most homeowners don’t understand the difference between state licensing and manufacturer certification.
Here’s why it matters.
State Trade Licenses Are Legal Requirements
A contractor’s license is issued by the state.
It means they’re registered, bonded, and carry workers’ compensation and liability insurance. If a licensed contractor messes up, you can file a complaint with the state licensing board.
Some states will investigate. Some maintain bonds you can claim against. Some will suspend or revoke licenses for serious violations.
The license has legal weight behind it.
Manufacturer Certifications Are Business Relationships
A manufacturer certification is a marketing program.
GAF doesn’t investigate installation errors. Owens Corning doesn’t discipline contractors for poor workmanship. CertainTeed doesn’t maintain bonds you can claim against.
If a certified contractor does shoddy work, you can’t file a complaint with the manufacturer. The certification just means they buy enough shingles to qualify for the program.
It’s a business relationship—not a quality guarantee.
The Only Certifications That Prove Competency
National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) certifications are different.
NRCA ProCertification requires:
- Minimum 18-24 months of documented installation experience
- Hands-on skills assessment by qualified assessors
- Demonstration of proper installation techniques
- Knowledge of safety requirements
- Three-year renewal cycle with continuing education
This isn’t based on purchasing volume. It’s competency testing.
The NRCA offers certifications for:
- Asphalt shingle installers
- EPDM systems installers
- Thermoplastic systems installers
- Metal flashings installers
- Service and maintenance technicians
- Roofing foremen
Each requires passing actual performance exams—not just buying materials.
How To Verify Real Training And Credentials
Don’t trust certifications at face value.
Verify them independently.
Check Manufacturer Websites
Every major manufacturer maintains online directories of certified contractors.
Visit the manufacturer’s website and search for the contractor by company name or location. If they claim to be GAF Master Elite but don’t appear in GAF’s certified contractor directory, they’re lying.
This takes five minutes and catches a surprising number of fraudulent claims.
Look For NRCA Credentials
Ask if the contractor’s team holds NRCA ProCertification.
These credentials aren’t tied to buying specific brands—they prove trade-specific competency regardless of which shingles the contractor prefers. The NRCA also maintains a database of ProCertified individuals you can search.
If a contractor claims their crews are “highly trained” but can’t name any specific credentials beyond manufacturer programs, that’s a warning sign.
Verify Training Documentation
Legitimate training programs issue certificates, badges, or documentation.
Ask to see proof of completed training—not just company claims about “experienced crews.” Manufacturers provide certification numbers you can verify. NRCA issues digital badges and photo ID cards.
If they can’t produce documentation, they probably didn’t complete the training.
Request References From Recent Jobs
Talk to homeowners who hired this contractor in the past year.
Ask specific questions:
- Did the crew seem knowledgeable and professional?
- Did they install materials according to manufacturer specifications?
- Were there any warranty issues or problems after installation?
- Would you hire them again?
A contractor with well-trained crews will have satisfied customers willing to vouch for their work.
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County Roofing Systems can offer you the longest warranties available because we’re a CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster, a certification only 1% of contractors qualify for.
We have over 35 years of experience living up to CertainTeed’s tough standards. That means CertainTeed trusts our home improvement work enough to stand behind it with their best guarantees.
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What County Roofing’s Certifications Actually Mean
County Roofing Systems holds multiple certifications—but we can back them up with real training.
Manufacturer Elite Certifications
We’re certified by all three major manufacturers:
- GAF Master Elite
- Owens Corning Platinum Preferred
- CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster
You can verify these certifications independently on manufacturer websites.
These credentials give you access to enhanced warranties other contractors can’t offer. GAF Golden Pledge. Owens Corning Platinum Protection. CertainTeed SureStart PLUS.
But the certifications alone aren’t enough.
NRCA Training And Competency
Our installation teams complete NRCA training programs.
This is hands-on, competency-based training—not videos or online courses. Installers must demonstrate they can properly install roofing systems to exact specifications.
We invest in real training because it produces better results.
Our crews know proper nail patterns, underlayment installation, flashing details, ventilation requirements, and manufacturer-specific techniques for different products.
That training shows up in the quality of every installation we complete.
Documentation And Verification
We document our credentials and training.
You’re welcome to:
- Verify our manufacturer certifications online
- Review our training documentation
- Talk to recent customers about their experience
- Check our licensing and insurance independently
We’ve been in business for over 35 years because we do things right—including proper training for every member of our team.
Red Flags That Signal Fake Or Meaningless Certifications
Watch for these warning signs.
Certifications that can’t be verified online.
Real certifications appear in manufacturer databases. If you can’t find them, they’re fake.
Vague claims about “factory training” without specifics.
What training? When? Which team members completed it? Get details—or walk away.
High-pressure sales tactics.
Contractors who push for immediate decisions and use scare tactics often lack legitimate credentials. They’re hoping you’ll sign before you verify anything.
Rock-bottom pricing that seems too good to be true.
Proper training and certifications cost money. Contractors who significantly undercut competitors are cutting corners somewhere—possibly on training and quality.
Reluctance to provide references.
Well-trained teams produce satisfied customers. If a contractor hesitates to provide recent references, that’s a major red flag.
No mention of NRCA or industry-specific training.
Manufacturer certifications alone aren’t enough. Look for independent, competency-based credentials.
Stop dealing with unexperienced or dishonest roofing companies. Click the button below to give us a call today:
Protect Yourself With a Proven Contractors- Choose County Roofing
Manufacturer certifications don’t guarantee quality installation.
Some are based on sales volume rather than actual competency. Even certified contractors can make installation errors that void your warranty—and manufacturers often use those errors to deny claims.
County Roofing Systems offers something better.
We hold elite certifications from GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed—verified and current. But we also invest in NRCA training that proves our teams’ actual installation skills.
You can verify our credentials independently. Talk to recent customers. Review our documentation. Check our licensing and insurance.
We’ve served Long Island and Westchester County for over 35 years because we combine manufacturer certifications with real competency training. That gives you access to the best warranties in the industry—and installation quality that actually honors those warranties.
Don’t trust certifications at face value.
Call County Roofing at (631) 400-7663 for a free estimate—and work with a contractor who can prove their skills.
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