How to Find a Roofing Contractor You Can Actually Trust
Your roof is one of the most expensive components of your home — a typical replacement in the Lehigh Valley runs between $8,000 and $15,000. Choosing the wrong contractor can mean shoddy work, voided warranties, and thousands in additional repairs down the road.
Here in Pennsylvania, there are over 4,000 registered home improvement contractors. After every major storm, that number swells with out-of-state crews chasing insurance claims. Not all of them are created equal, and the consequences of choosing wrong are severe: leaks within months, warranty claims denied because the installation didn't meet manufacturer specs, or worse — a contractor who takes your deposit and disappears.
This guide gives you a systematic approach to evaluating roofing contractors so you can make a confident decision.
10 Things to Look For in a Roofing Contractor
1. PA Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration
Pennsylvania requires all home improvement contractors to register with the Attorney General's office. Ask for their HIC number and verify it at the PA Attorney General website. This isn't optional — it's the law. An unregistered contractor has no legal accountability if something goes wrong.
2. Proper Insurance Coverage
Every legitimate roofing contractor must carry:
- ■General liability insurance (minimum $500,000 — $1 million is better)
- ■Workers' compensation insurance for all employees
Ask for certificates of insurance — not just a verbal confirmation. Call the insurance company directly to verify the policy is active. If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor isn't properly insured, you could be held personally liable for medical bills and lost wages.
3. Local Reputation and Verified Reviews
Look for contractors with a strong local presence — not just a P.O. box. Check multiple sources:
- ■Google Business Profile: Look for 4.5+ stars from 30+ reviews
- ■Better Business Bureau: Check for complaints and resolution history
- ■Angi / HomeAdvisor: Cross-reference ratings
- ■Ask for 3-5 references from recent projects in your specific area
A contractor who has been serving the Lehigh Valley, Bucks County, or Montgomery County for 5+ years with consistently strong reviews is a much safer bet than someone who just showed up after a storm.
4. Manufacturer Certifications
This is one of the most important — and most overlooked — factors. Top roofing manufacturers offer certification programs that separate qualified installers from everyone else:
| Manufacturer | Basic Level | Mid Level | Top Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| CertainTeed | Contractor | ShingleMaster | SELECT ShingleMaster |
| GAF | Certified | Master Elite | — |
| Owens Corning | Contractor | Preferred | Platinum Preferred |
Why it matters: Certified contractors can offer enhanced warranties that non-certified contractors cannot. For example, a CertainTeed ShingleMaster can offer SureStart PLUS extended warranty coverage that includes workmanship — a standard contractor can only offer the basic material warranty.
Only about 1% of roofing contractors earn top-tier manufacturer certifications. If your contractor isn't certified, you're leaving significant warranty protection on the table.
5. Detailed Written Estimates
A professional estimate should be a multi-page document, not a number scribbled on a business card. It should include:
- ■Itemized material costs (shingle brand/line, underlayment, flashing, ventilation)
- ■Labor costs broken out separately
- ■Tear-off and disposal fees
- ■Timeline for completion with start and end dates
- ■Warranty information (both manufacturer and workmanship)
- ■Payment schedule with clear milestones
- ■Permit costs if applicable
If two estimates are wildly different in price, the cheaper one is probably missing something. Ask the lower bidder to explain exactly what's included — and what isn't.
6. Clear, Responsive Communication
How a contractor communicates during the sales process is exactly how they'll communicate during your project. Pay attention to:
- ■Response time: Do they return calls/texts within a few hours?
- ■Detail level: Do they explain options clearly, or give vague answers?
- ■Pressure level: Do they give you space to decide, or push for an immediate signature?
- ■Assigned contact: Will you have a dedicated project leader, or will you be passed around?
If they're slow, vague, or pushy before they have your money — that behavior will only get worse once they do.
7. Comprehensive Warranty Coverage
Not all warranties are created equal. Understand the three layers:
| Warranty Type | What It Covers | Typical Duration | Who Provides It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer Material | Defects in shingles/materials | 25–50 years | Shingle manufacturer |
| Workmanship | Installation errors | 2–10 years (varies widely) | Your contractor |
| Extended/Enhanced | Both materials AND labor | 25 years (non-prorated) | Manufacturer (certified contractors only) |
The extended warranty is the gold standard — but it's only available through manufacturer-certified contractors. Always ask: "What specific warranty will I receive, and can I see the warranty documentation before we start?"
8. Financing Options
A reputable contractor should offer financing. This isn't just a convenience — it signals:
- ■They have established relationships with lending partners
- ■They plan to be in business long-term
- ■They're confident enough in their work to let you spread payments
Look for contractors who offer pre-qualification with no credit impact, competitive APR rates, and flexible terms. Avoid anyone who only accepts cash or demands full payment upfront.
9. Clean, Organized Job Sites
Ask to see photos of active or recently completed job sites. A contractor who keeps a clean, organized work area:
- ■Takes pride in their craftsmanship
- ■Respects your property
- ■Follows safety protocols
- ■Will leave your yard clean when they're done
Bonus: Ask if they do a magnetic nail sweep after every job. Loose roofing nails in your driveway or yard are a sign of sloppy cleanup — and a flat tire waiting to happen.
10. Transparent Process and Timeline
Before signing, you should know exactly what to expect:
- ■Pre-construction: When will materials be delivered? When does the crew arrive?
- ■During construction: How will you be updated on progress? Who do you call with questions?
- ■Post-construction: What does the final walkthrough include? When is final payment due?
- ■After the job: How do you file a warranty claim if needed?
A contractor who can walk you through this process step-by-step has done it many times before. One who can't is making it up as they go.
7 Red Flags That Should Make You Walk Away
1. Door-to-Door Storm Chasers
After every major storm in the Lehigh Valley, out-of-town contractors flood the area. They knock on doors, point out "damage" (sometimes real, sometimes fabricated), and offer to handle your insurance claim. They often do subpar work, use cheap materials, and disappear before warranty claims arise. Always choose a local, established company with a physical presence in your community.
2. Demands for Large Upfront Payments
A reasonable deposit is normal — typically 10-30% or the cost of materials. But any contractor demanding 50%+ upfront is a significant risk. Reputable contractors have the credit lines and cash flow to purchase materials without your full payment in advance. If they need your money to buy supplies, they may be financially unstable.
3. No Written Contract
Never proceed without a detailed written contract that includes scope of work, materials, timeline, payment schedule, warranty terms, and cancellation policy. Verbal agreements are unenforceable in Pennsylvania and leave you with no recourse if something goes wrong.
4. Pressure to Sign Immediately
"This price is only good today" or "We have one slot left this week" are classic high-pressure tactics. A legitimate estimate should be valid for at least 30 days. Under Pennsylvania's Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, you have a 3-day right of rescission for contracts signed at your home — but it's better to never feel pressured in the first place.
5. Asking You to Pull the Permit
The contractor should handle all necessary permits and inspections. If they ask you to pull the building permit, it likely means they're not properly registered, they're trying to avoid inspection, or they don't want their name on the permit in case something goes wrong. Any of these is a dealbreaker.
6. No Physical Address or Online Presence
A legitimate roofing company should have a verifiable physical address (not just a P.O. box), a professional website, an active Google Business Profile, and a history of reviews. If you can't find any trace of them online, or their "office" is a cell phone number and a truck — proceed with extreme caution.
7. Willing to Skip the Tear-Off
Some contractors will offer to install new shingles over your existing roof to save money. While Pennsylvania building code allows up to two layers of shingles, this is almost always a bad idea. It voids most manufacturer warranties, hides underlying damage, adds weight to your roof structure, and reduces the lifespan of your new shingles. A reputable contractor will recommend a full tear-off in almost every situation.
Contractor Comparison Checklist
Use this checklist when evaluating multiple bids. The contractor who checks the most boxes is usually the right choice.
| Criteria | Contractor A | Contractor B | Contractor C |
|---|---|---|---|
| PA HIC registered | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| General liability insurance verified | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Workers' comp insurance verified | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Manufacturer certified | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| 4.5+ star Google rating | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| 30+ verified reviews | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Detailed written estimate provided | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Workmanship warranty (5+ years) | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Enhanced manufacturer warranty available | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Financing options available | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Dedicated project leader assigned | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| References provided | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Full tear-off included | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Magnetic nail sweep included | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Cap nails used for underlayment | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Local physical address | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
13 Questions to Ask Before Signing Any Contract
- 01How long have you been in business in the Lehigh Valley / Bucks / Montgomery County area?
- 02What is your PA Home Improvement Contractor registration number?
- 03Can I see your current certificates of insurance (liability + workers' comp)?
- 04Are you certified by any roofing manufacturers? Which ones, and at what level?
- 05What specific warranty will I receive — both manufacturer and workmanship?
- 06Are you using cap nails to install the underlayment? Cap nails (plastic-cap or metal-cap nails) are required or strongly recommended by most major shingle manufacturers for securing synthetic underlayment. Standard roofing nails can tear through the underlayment over time, compromising the waterproof barrier beneath your shingles. If a contractor says they use staples or standard nails for underlayment, that's a red flag — it may void your manufacturer warranty.
- 07Who will be my dedicated project leader, and how will I receive updates?
- 08What is your complete payment schedule, and what triggers each payment?
- 09How do you handle unexpected issues or change orders discovered during the job?
- 10Will you handle all permits and inspections?
- 11What does your cleanup process include?
- 12Can I speak with 3 homeowners whose roofs you completed in the last 6 months?
- 13What happens if I'm not satisfied with the finished work?
Why Lehigh Valley Homeowners Choose RoofOps
We built RoofOps around the five things homeowners care about most: Quality, Affordability, Service, Communication, and Reliability. We don't ask you to compromise on any of them.
| What You Want | What RoofOps Delivers |
|---|---|
| Quality you can trust | CertainTeed ShingleMaster certified — top 1% of contractors |
| Transparent pricing | Detailed written estimates, no hidden fees, no surprise add-ons |
| Responsive communication | 2-hour response time, dedicated project leader on every job |
| Proven track record | Perfect 5.0-star Google rating — 100% five-star reviews |
| Warranty protection | 25-year warranty including CertainTeed SureStart PLUS coverage |
| Affordable options | Flexible financing through Acorn Finance from 6.99% APR |
| Community commitment | Veteran-owned, locally operated, 5% discount for military, first responders & educators |
We're not the cheapest option — and we're not trying to be. We're the option that does it right the first time, communicates clearly throughout, and stands behind the work for decades.
Get your free estimate in 30 seconds or schedule a free inspection to see the RoofOps difference for yourself.