Katchmark Construction can provide a price for the warranty when we give you a quote for your new roof. Get a Roofing Estimate Call Katchmark today at (703) 817-0200 for a free consultation and estimate for roofing homes and businesses in the greater Washington, DC area.
Frequently Asked Questions About Roof Warranties
Are roof warranties important? A new roof is a big investment, typically involving thousands of your hard-earned dollars and lasting 25, 30, 40 years or more. As with any big investment, knowing in advance what your warranty covers could save you thousands in the event that problems arise with your roof.
What are the chances I will have a problem with my new GAF roof? Based on GAF’s state-of-the-art manufacturing process, the odds of having a problem with a new GAF roof are about 1 in 1000! On the other hand, while serious problems with GAF roofing materials are rare, if you were to have a problem, it can be as expensive to fix as your roof originally cost. So while the risk of having a problem is low, the cost if you do have a serious problem can be high.
What if there are problems with my roof’s installation? Studies indicate that more than two-thirds of the problems that people experience with their new roofs are due to the contractor’s workmanship, not the roofing materials. That’s why you should trust a GAF “MasterElite” certified contractor like Katchmark with the installation.
What should I look for in a roofing warranty?
Basically, there are two types of coverage that you should ask your contractor about: coverage against material defects and coverage against workmanship errors. Make sure you get both in writing.
What does a materials warranty cover? Almost all roofing products come with a warranty against material defects, although your exact coverage will vary depending on the brand. For example, a typical shingle warranty will cover material defects for a period of 20, 30, and 40 years or more. The warranty on the other components of your roofing system can vary from as little as a few months to several years. It is important to remember that coverage against material defects is provided by the manufacturer, so you should select a brand from a manufacturer who is financially strong and therefore more likely to be in business for as long as you own your roof, which could be several decades!
What is GAF’s “SmartChoice Protection Period”? GAF’s warranties come with a special provision called the Smart Choice Protection Period that covers you against material defects during the critical early years of your new roof. During this period, in the event that you experience a material defect on covered components, GAF will provide you with 100% replacement materials and the reasonable cost of labor to install them. This is important because some roofing warranties may only provide replacement materials, but not the labor to install them.
What is the GAF Weather Stopper System Plus Ltd. Warranty? The GAF Weather Stopper System Plus Ltd. Warranty provides coverage against material defects for all major GAF components on your roof (not just your shingles)—so you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that, if any covered roofing component fails, it will be covered by the warranty (see ltd. warranty for complete coverage and restrictions). The warranty is available through GAF certified contractors, and is a low-cost way to get up to 50 years of non-prorated coverage (against material defects) on your new roofing system.
Does Katchmark cover me against workmanship errors? Katchmark participates in the GAF Golden Pledge Ltd. Warranty, the first manufacturer’s warranty to cover both material defects and the contractor’s workmanship (see warranty for complete coverage and restrictions). GAF will stand behind our workmanship for up to 20 years! The Golden Pledge Ltd. Warranty is available only through GAF Master Elite Contractors like Katchmark who are factory-certified by GAF. The warranty even includes an inspection by GAF’s independent inspectors after your new roof has been completed to insure proper installation. It is the strongest, safest warranty available in roofing today.
WHY USE A GAF MASTER ELITE? Katchmark Construction has earned the distinction of being a “MasterElite” roofing contractor from GAF, a leading roofing materials manufacturer. Only the top 3%
of all roofing contractors have qualified as MasterElite contractors! To achieve this status, we ensure that our installation professionals complete ongoing, rigorous training on installation methods and product knowledge
to meet GAF’s high standards.
How Does a Contractor Become a Master Elite? To become a factory-certified GAF MasterElite contractor, we had to demonstrate the following:
Be a fully licensed roofing contractor in Virginia, DC and Maryland
Have sufficient insurance for our customers’ protection
Achieve an excellent reputation in our service area
Participate in ongoing training to ensure the highest quality installation
“Worry Free” and “Hassle Free” Warranty Options
Because of our unique factory-certified status, the roofs we install are eligible for special warranties — all backed by GAF’s financial clout as North America’s largest roofing manufacturer.
We are permitted by GAF to offer their enhanced warranties, which include the option for a manufacturer’s representative to independently inspect your roof after it has been completed. The vast majority of roofing contractors in the U.S. simply don’t have the clout or permission to do that. Ask us which warranty option would be right for your roof.
Our Certification Means a Better Warranty for You
By being a GAF MasterElite certified roofing contractor in Virginia, DC, and Maryland, Katchmark’s installation means that all manufacturer warranties on roofing materials are fully valid. This is very important, because a non-certified roofer can’t guarantee your warranty will be in effect when you need it.
