What Is Master Elite?

What Does It Mean to Be Master Elite?

We will explain this in great detail and will reveal a huge amount of information that you will need when choosing a company to install your roof. We promise it will be worth your time, and potentially save you thousands of dollars in the long run!

The Solution? Pay Close Attention, This Part Is Gold

Hire a Master Elite Contractor from GAF!

Our commitment to South Carolina doesn’t end with roofing. Our integrated approach covers every aspect of roof maintenance, ensuring that whether it’s a commercial roofing project or a residential roof repair, South Carolina residents receive nothing but the best. Our reputation as the leading roofer in South Carolina stems from our unwavering dedication to quality, timeliness, and customer satisfaction.

So What Can You Do to Protect Your Home and Investment?

The top shingle manufacturers have come up with a certification program that allows contractors to offer better warranties and in turn offer more protection than your everyday roofer/handyman with a hammer. These programs are fantastic but there are still some holes in your overall protection.


Standard certification program for major manufacturers only require you to use 3 of their system components (felt, ice and watershield, etc.) to get an upgraded warranty. That is a step up from the standard warranty but still does not cover components made from other manufacturers and can leave you with a nasty bill if you ever get to the point you need warranty coverage.


The biggest problem is there is no factory certification, so you may get a certified roof with a certified contractor and when it comes time for warranty replacement there can be other factors that disqualify you from even getting that warranty, such as improper ventilation and insulation in your attic and a host of other common problems. Your first instinct is to blame the roofer since the manufacturer will not cover you. Problem with that is that technically it is not their fault (very grey area) since roofers only responsibility is what is on top of the roof.

How Much Are You Really Liable for If Your Roofing System Fails Under Warranty?

You may be surprised. Here is a table below to outline some of the key points, if you want to see a full side by side check out our warranty comparison page. These figures are done during the roofs “non prorated warranty period” which is considered 100% coverage. As the table reveals there is much more to a warranty than meets the eye. All these are considered in the industry as 100% warranty coverage but, which one is the true 100% system warranty?

Standard Uncertified Contractor: Typical Certified Contractor: GAF Master Elite Golden Pledge Warranty:
10yr. non prorated/lifetime total shingle only warranty 10-50yr. non prorated/lifetime total warranty (varies by mfr.) 50yr. non prorated/lifetime total warranty Plus 25 year workmanship warranty
Shingles – Covered! Shingles – Covered! Shingles – Covered!
Felt Underlayment – NOT covered Felt Underlayment – NOT covered Felt Underlayment – Covered!
Ice & Water Shield – NOT covered Ice & Water Shield – covered Ice & Water Shield – Covered!
Starter Strips – NOT covered Starter Strips – covered Starter Strips – Covered!
Ridge Vent and Cap – NOT covered Ridge Vent and Cap – covered Ridge Vent and Cap – Covered!
Tear Off – NOT covered Tear Off – covered Tear Off – Covered!
Tear Off Disposal – NOT covered Tear Off Disposal – covered Tear Off Disposal – Covered!
Total liability: Approx. 55% Roof cost Total liability: Approx. 20% Roof cost Total liability: Approx. 0% Roof cost

What Makes a Master Elite Contractor so Good, and How Is that Different from A Standard Roofer or Even a Certified Contractor?

Master Elite contractors make up only 5% of the total roofers nationwide. The reason? it is damn hard to achieve! GAF verifies the following items before granting a company the master elite status.

  • Minimum 7 years in business – 1 year in their certified program
  • 99% customer satisfaction based on independent surveys from GAF
  • 1 million general liability coverage + proper and valid worker’s compensation
  • Satisfactory rating with BBB
  • GOOD or better credit rating
  • Clean banking record (no overdrafts, negative info)
  • Clean distributor reference (means we pay our bills)
  • No liens, or judgements unresolved on record
  • Quality workmanship record

You can see why it is almost impossible for 95% of companies to achieve even these base requirements, but still the final test is a face to face meeting with the territory managers to doubly verify all information and personally check out our previous jobs and talk to some of our previous customers. It is a true partnership with GAF, and it is fantastic for you, us, and them. This is how business relationships are supposed to be.

Is This an Extended Warranty?! What’s the Difference?

No it is a Factory Certified roof Installation.


For example: If you buy a TV extended warranty and your well within your warranty coverage your TV blows up. It turns out that your problem came from an electrical surge due to an improper surge protector and that is not covered by the warranty plan. Guess who has to buy a new full price TV again? You!


If you had a certified factory warranty where the warranty provider came out and checked your electrical system and your entire system and certified that system, and the same situation happened. Then who is left with the bill at that point? Not You!

South Carolina Full-Service Roofing and Restoration

5 Stars Roofing is a Roof and Damage Restoration Company, serving residential, commercial, and industrial properties throughout South Carolina. 5 Stars Roofing knows that every job is about someone’s home or livelihood; we provide roofing and restoration solutions to get you back to living and making a living quickly.

South Carolina Full-Service Roofing and Restoration

5 Stars Roofing is a Roof and Damage Restoration Company, serving residential, commercial, and industrial properties throughout South Carolina. 5 Stars Roofing knows that every job is about someone’s home or livelihood; we provide roofing and restoration solutions to get you back to living and making a living quickly.

South Carolina Full-Service Roofing and Restoration

5 Stars Roofing is a Roof and Damage Restoration Company, serving residential, commercial, and industrial properties throughout South Carolina. 5 Stars Roofing knows that every job is about someone’s home or livelihood; we provide roofing and restoration solutions to get you back to living and making a living quickly.

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