UPDATED FOR 2026
How Roofing Salespeople Sell You Premium Shingles And Deliver Cheap Knockoffs
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:
- Verify materials at delivery—check brand names, product lines, and sealed packaging against your contract before installation starts.
- Brand matters for the warranty system, not just the shingles—GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed have proven claims processes.
- IBHS and UL testing proves quality differences that marketing claims can’t fake—check published ratings yourself.
- Premium shingles weigh 240-400 lbs per square vs. 180-220 lbs for economy products.
- NRCA credentials prove installation competency that sales-volume manufacturer certifications don’t require.
The salesperson promised GAF Timberline HDZ shingles.
You signed the contract. Paid the deposit.
Three days into the job, you notice the bundles being loaded onto your roof don’t have the GAF logo you expected.
Welcome to the roofing industry’s most common scam: bait and switch.
Below, we’ll show you how to verify you’re getting the materials you paid for—and why the “brand” matters more than most homeowners realize.
The Bait And Switch That Happens At Delivery
Most roofing scams happen before the first shingle goes on your roof.
Here’s how it works.
The Sales Pitch
A salesperson promises premium materials—GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed.
They show you samples. Talk about warranties. Quote you a price that seems reasonable for quality materials. You sign the contract feeling confident you’re getting a good product.
Then delivery day arrives.
What Actually Shows Up
Generic shingles in unmarked bundles.
Or worse—legitimate branded boxes that have been opened and refilled with cheaper alternatives. The crew loads materials onto your roof quickly, hoping you won’t inspect the packaging.
By the time you notice, installation has already started.
Most contractors will claim it’s “too late” to switch materials without delays and additional costs. They’re counting on you accepting the substitute rather than stopping the job.
Don’t fall for it.
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How To Verify Materials During Delivery
You need to inspect deliveries the moment they arrive—not after installation starts.
Check Brand Names And Product Lines
Match the brand names on delivered bundles against your signed contract.
If your contract says “GAF Timberline HDZ” and the bundles say “GAF Timberline AS II,” that’s a different product with different warranties. If there’s no brand name visible at all, that’s an even bigger red flag.
Premium products come in branded packaging with clear manufacturer labels, barcodes, and batch numbers.
Inspect Packaging For Tampering
Legitimate materials arrive in sealed, original packaging.
Look for:
- Intact shrink wrap or factory sealing
- Matching labels on all bundles
- Consistent packaging design
- No loose or repackaged shingles
Leftover shingles from other jobs often get mixed into deliveries. If you see bundles that aren’t sealed or packaging that looks different across bundles, stop the job immediately.
Verify Quantities Match Your Contract
Count the bundles being delivered.
Your contract should specify how many squares of material you’re paying for. If the delivery seems light or the crew claims they’ll “bring more later,” get written confirmation of what’s missing and when it will arrive.
Partial deliveries are sometimes legitimate—but they’re also an easy way to short-change homeowners who aren’t paying attention.
Why The Brand Actually Matters (It’s Not Just Marketing)
All shingles look similar from the ground.
But brand matters—a lot.
The Warranty System Behind The Logo
When you buy GAF, Owens Corning, or CertainTeed, you’re not just buying shingles.
You’re buying into a warranty system backed by manufacturers with decades of track records. These companies have:
- Local certified contractor networks
- Clear claims processes
- Financial stability to honor warranties
- Quality control standards
Generic or off-brand shingles might be manufactured to similar specs. But when something goes wrong in 10 years, good luck finding the manufacturer to honor a warranty claim.
Independent Testing Proves Quality Differences
Marketing claims are one thing. Independent lab testing is another.
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) conducts real-world impact testing using manufactured hailstones—not just steel balls. Their tests measure three types of damage:
- Dents (deformations)
- Tears (breaches)
- Granule loss
IBHS publishes performance ratings showing which shingles actually hold up to hail damage.
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) provides UL 2218 impact ratings and UL 790 fire ratings. These are industry-standard certifications proving a shingle meets specific safety and durability benchmarks regardless of the brand name.
You can verify these ratings yourself—they’re published publicly.
Weight Equals Quality (Usually)
One honest way to judge a shingle is by physical weight.
Heavier shingles generally contain more asphalt and better fiberglass mats. That makes them more resistant to tearing and wind lift.
If a contractor claims to be installing “advanced technology” shingles but the product is significantly lighter than competitors, you’re probably getting a thinner product hidden behind marketing language.
Premium architectural shingles typically weigh 240-400 pounds per square. Designer shingles with multiple layers weigh even more.
Generic economy shingles? Often 180-220 pounds per square.
You can feel the difference if you pick one up.
The “Workmanship Warranty” Fine Print Nobody Reads
Premium shingles come with impressive material warranties.
But there’s a catch most homeowners miss.
When Manufacturers Deny Claims
Manufacturers are notorious for denying claims based on “improper installation.”
They sell certification programs as a guarantee of quality. But if the certified contractor makes one mistake—uses too few nails, installs incorrect flashing, provides inadequate ventilation—the manufacturer uses that exact mistake to void the warranty.
Here’s the irony: the certification was supposed to prevent installation errors. But manufacturers still deny claims when certified contractors mess up.
The Only Protection That Matters
No-Dollar-Limit (NDL) warranties are common in commercial roofing.
These warranties make the manufacturer take full responsibility regardless of the installer’s specific errors—provided they inspected the job during installation. The manufacturer has skin in the game, so they ensure proper installation from the start.
Most residential warranties don’t work this way.
You need enhanced warranties from manufacturers like GAF Golden Pledge, Owens Corning Platinum Protection, or CertainTeed SureStart PLUS. These provide manufacturer-backed workmanship coverage that protects you even if the installer makes minor errors.
But you can only get these warranties through elite-certified contractors.
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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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Sales Volume Certifications vs. Real Training
Not all manufacturer certifications are created equal.
Some are based on purchasing power. Others require actual competency.
The Sales Volume Trap
Many manufacturer certifications are heavily tied to how much product a contractor buys.
GAF and CertainTeed grant higher certification tiers based on annual “squares” purchased. A contractor who buys enough material earns the certification—whether or not their crews have been properly trained.
The risk? You hire a high-volume “certified” contractor who’s really just a sales machine with high turnover crews. The installers on your roof have never sat through a day of training.
Credentials That Require Actual Competency
Look for National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) certifications.
NRCA ProCertification requires hands-on skills assessment—not just purchasing volume. Installers must demonstrate they can properly install roofing systems to manufacturer specifications.
This is trade-specific training that isn’t tied to buying one brand’s shingles.
The NRCA also offers specialized certifications for foremen, service technicians, and specific roof systems. These credentials prove actual competency, not sales relationships.
What County Roofing Delivers (And How We Prove It)
County Roofing Systems doesn’t play bait-and-switch games.
Here’s what we do differently.
Specified Materials In Writing
Our contracts list specific brand names and product lines.
Not “premium architectural shingles”—actual product names like “GAF Timberline HDZ” or “Owens Corning Duration.” You know exactly what you’re getting before you sign.
We also specify underlayment, ice and water shield, flashing materials, and ventilation components by brand and product line.
Everything in writing.
Delivery Verification Process
We walk customers through the delivery inspection process.
When materials arrive, we:
- Show you the manufacturer labels and batch numbers
- Confirm quantities match your contract
- Verify all packaging is sealed and original
- Document the delivery with photos
You’re welcome to inspect every bundle before it goes on your roof.
Elite Certifications That Require Training
County Roofing holds elite certifications from GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed.
These aren’t just sales-volume badges. We maintain these certifications through:
- Regular training requirements
- Proper licensing and insurance
- Quality audits and inspections
- Customer satisfaction standards
Our team also completes NRCA training programs. That’s hands-on, competency-based training—not watching videos. We install roofs to exact manufacturer specifications because we’ve been trained to do it right.
Access To The Best Warranties
Our certifications give you access to enhanced warranties other contractors can’t offer.
GAF Golden Pledge. Owens Corning Platinum Protection. CertainTeed SureStart PLUS.
These manufacturer-backed warranties cover both materials and workmanship—protecting you from the installation errors that void standard warranties.
You can verify our certifications independently on manufacturer websites.
Click the button below to give us a call today:
Questions To Ask Before You Buy
Don’t trust generic promises about “premium materials.”
Get specific answers in writing.
What exact products are you installing?
Make them name the specific brand and product line. “GAF shingles” isn’t specific enough—which GAF product?
Can I inspect materials at delivery?
Any legitimate contractor should welcome customer verification. If they discourage inspection, that’s a red flag.
What certifications do you hold?
Ask for specific certification names (GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Platinum Preferred, etc.). Then verify them on the manufacturer’s website.
What training have your installers completed?
NRCA training and manufacturer-specific training programs prove competency. “Years of experience” without training credentials is meaningless.
Can you provide references from recent jobs with the same materials?
Talk to homeowners who received the same products you’re considering. Ask if they got what was promised.
Get The Materials You Actually Pay For
Bait and switch is the roofing industry’s oldest scam.
Salespeople promise premium materials, then deliver cheap substitutes hoping you won’t notice until it’s too late. By then, stopping the job creates delays and additional costs most homeowners want to avoid.
County Roofing Systems puts specific product names in every contract.
We verify materials at delivery. We welcome customer inspection. We provide documentation of everything we install.
You’ll get exactly what you pay for—not generic substitutes.
We’ve served Long Island and Westchester County for over 35 years because we do business honestly. Elite certifications from major manufacturers. NRCA-trained installation crews. Access to the best warranties in the industry.
Call County Roofing at (631) 400-7663 for a free estimate—and get the premium materials you deserve.
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