What Homeowners Should Ask Before Hiring a Roofing Contractor in Philadelphia

Proof of insurance

Ask every contractor for a certificate of insurance before work starts. Roofing is hands-on work at height, and you want to know who is covered if something goes wrong.

• Ask for proof of general liability insurance.
• Ask whether they carry workers' compensation for their crew.
• Call the insurance company listed on the certificate to confirm the policy is active. New Jersey's consumer guidance specifically suggests getting a copy of the contractor's liability policy and the insurer's phone number so you can verify coverage.

Registration and licensing

Rules depend on where you live. Here is what the official sources say. Rules can change, so check the agency links yourself before you sign.

Pennsylvania: Home Improvement Contractor registration

Under Pennsylvania's Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA), contractors who do at least $5,000 worth of home improvements per year must register with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Registered contractors receive a PA registration number, and the Attorney General's office says contractors must include that number in their advertisements, contracts, estimates and proposals.

You can check a registration on the Attorney General's website at hicsearch.attorneygeneral.gov or by calling 1-888-520-6680. The Attorney General also notes that registration is not an endorsement of a contractor's skill, so treat it as a starting point, not a guarantee.

Philadelphia: city licensing and permits

The City of Philadelphia explains that contractors who only do home improvement work on existing one- or two-family homes, and are not plumbers, electricians or similar licensed trades, must register with the PA Attorney General as Home Improvement Contractors. Other construction work in the city generally requires a Philadelphia Contractor License from the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I).

The city suggests homeowners use L&I's online tools to look up licensed contractors and any violations, check its list of suspended or revoked contractors, and make sure contractors get any required permits from L&I and post them on the property before work begins. You can find these tools by searching "find a licensed contractor" on phila.gov.

New Jersey: Division of Consumer Affairs registration

If you live in South Jersey, New Jersey's Contractors' Registration Act requires home improvement contractors to register with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs and renew every year unless exempt. New Jersey consumer guidance says unregistered contractors will not be issued municipal construction permits. You can confirm a contractor's registration through the Division of Consumer Affairs.

Get the scope in writing

A clear written contract protects you and the contractor. In Pennsylvania, the Attorney General's office says home improvement contracts over $500 must be written, legible and signed by both sides, and must include the registration number, a description of the work, the total price, estimated start and completion dates, and notice of your right to cancel. In New Jersey, contracts for projects of $500 or more must be in writing and include the contractor's legal name, business address, registration number, start and completion dates, a description of the work and the total price.

Beyond what the law requires, ask that the written scope spell out:

• Tear-off or overlay. Is the old roof coming off, and down to what?
• Deck repair. How will rotten wood be handled if they find it, and how will it be priced?
• Materials by name. The type and brand of roofing, base layers and edge metal. New Jersey guidance suggests naming brands or grades of materials in the contract.
• Cleanup. Who removes debris and how the property will be protected.

Ask about the details that cause leaks

Many leaks start at the edges and openings, not in the middle of the roof. Ask how the contractor will handle:

• Flashing around chimneys, walls, vents and skylights. Will it be replaced or reused?
• Drains, scuppers and drain boxes on flat roofs. Will they be replaced, and how will water get off the roof?
• Ventilation on shingle roofs. How is the attic vented, and will the new roof change it?
• Permits. Is a permit needed for this job where you live, and who will get it?

A contractor who answers these clearly, without rushing you, is showing you how they work.

Warranty and photo proof

Ask what warranty comes with the job and get it in writing. Find out what it covers, how long it lasts, and what you need to do to keep it valid. New Jersey consumer guidance also recommends getting warranties and guarantees in writing.

Finally, ask whether the contractor will document the work with photos. You will probably never see your own roof up close. Photos of the deck, the layers going down and the finished job show you what you paid for. You can see how Joe's crew documents finished roofs in the photo gallery.

For a look at what a complete flat roof job involves, read how a Philadelphia rowhome flat roof is replaced.