How to Choose a Roofing Contractor in the Lehigh Valley

A new roof is one of the biggest investments you'll make in your home — and the person you hire matters more than the brand of shingle they install. The right contractor protects your home for decades. The wrong one can leave you with leaks, voided warranties, and a fight to get anything fixed. Here's exactly how to tell them apart before you sign anything.

Why the contractor matters more than the shingle

Almost any crew can nail down shingles. What separates a great roof from a problem roof is the details you can't see from the ground — proper underlayment, ice-and-water shield in the valleys, correct flashing around chimneys and walls, balanced attic ventilation, and clean, code-correct installation. Those details are where cheap crews cut corners, and they're exactly what determine whether your roof lasts 8 years or 30. A premium shingle installed poorly will still fail early — and the manufacturer can deny the warranty if it wasn't installed to spec.

Green flags: what a great roofer has

Before you get into pricing, make sure any contractor you're considering checks these boxes:

• A PA license (HIC number). Pennsylvania requires home-improvement contractors to be registered. Ours is PA HIC #200014 — ask for theirs.
• Full insurance. Both general liability and workers' compensation. If an uninsured worker is hurt on your property, you could be on the hook. Ask for a certificate of insurance.
• A written workmanship warranty. Materials come with a manufacturer warranty, but the installation is on the contractor. We back our workmanship for 12 years, in writing.
• Manufacturer certification. Certified installers (we're Atlas Pro and CertainTeed certified) are trained and vetted — and can offer enhanced warranties others can't.
• Local roots and real reviews. A physical presence in the Lehigh Valley, a real phone number, and verifiable Google reviews from nearby homeowners.
• A detailed written estimate. Scope, materials, tear-off, flashing, ventilation, cleanup, and warranty — all spelled out, not scribbled on the back of a card.

Red flags: when to walk away

If you see these, be careful — no matter how good the price sounds:

• Storm chasers. Out-of-town crews that appear after a storm, knock on doors, and vanish once the check clears — leaving no one local to honor the warranty.
• High-pressure sales. "This price is only good today" is a tactic, not a deal. A real roof quote is good for weeks.
• Cash only or a huge deposit. Reputable roofers accept normal payment and tie it to milestones. Big cash-up-front demands are a warning sign.
• No license, no insurance, no address. If they can't produce a HIC number, an insurance certificate, or a local address, keep looking.
• Vague verbal estimates. If it isn't in writing, it doesn't exist. Undefined scope is how "surprise" charges appear mid-job.

9 questions to ask before you sign

Bring this list to any roofer you're considering. Their answers — and how comfortable they are giving them — will tell you almost everything:

1. Are you licensed in Pennsylvania, and what's your HIC number?
2. Can I see proof of liability and workers' comp insurance?
3. Do you offer a written workmanship warranty, and for how many years?
4. Are you certified by the manufacturer whose shingles you'll install?
5. Will you fully tear off the old roof, or install over it?
6. Who runs my job on-site, and are they your employees or subcontractors?
7. Can I see recent local projects and reviews?
8. What does the payment schedule look like?
9. Is the full scope — materials, flashing, ventilation, cleanup, warranty — in writing?

Protect yourself: get everything in writing

Never rely on a handshake. Your contract should clearly list the materials and colors, the full scope of work (including tear-off, flashing, drip edge, and ventilation), the workmanship warranty and its length, the payment schedule, and an estimated timeline. A contractor who's proud of their work has no problem putting all of it on paper.

The LV Roofing & Siding difference

We built our company to be the roofer we'd want for our own families — straightforward, credentialed, and local. When you hire us, you get:

• Licensed & fully insured — PA HIC #200014, liability and workers' comp.
• A 12-year workmanship warranty in writing, on top of your manufacturer coverage.
• Manufacturer-certified installation — Atlas Pro and CertainTeed.
• Veteran-owned and rooted right here in the Lehigh Valley.
• A 5.0 Google rating from neighbors we've served across Bethlehem, Allentown, Easton, Nazareth and beyond.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check if a roofer is licensed in PA?
PA home-improvement contractors must register with the state Attorney General and carry a HIC number. You can verify any contractor for free on the PA Attorney General's website. A legitimate roofer gives you their number without hesitation — ours is PA HIC #200014.

Should I always get multiple quotes?
Two or three is smart — but compare the same scope, materials, and warranty, not just the bottom line. The cheapest bid often skips steps that cost you later.

How much of a deposit is normal?
A modest deposit to schedule and order materials is normal. Be cautious of large upfront or cash-only demands; reputable roofers tie payments to milestones.

Do I need to be home during the replacement?
No. Most roofs are done in a day or two and you don't need to be there the whole time. We walk you through the plan first and do a full cleanup and final walkthrough at the end.