Learn how to compare roofing quotes in Lancaster, Harrisburg, and Chester County without getting burned. We break down what drives the price gap, red flags to watch for, and what a quality roof replacement actually includes.
So, can walking on your shingled roof damage it? Yes, it can. BUT , the likelihood and level of severity depends on the time of year. Shingles are hardy and are made to withstand an occasional walk. However, if it’s hot outside, say 80 degrees, and there’s direct sunlight on the roof, the asphalt base of the shingle will soften. Walking over shingles that have softened in these conditions results in the granules to be displaced, and shoes with treads can even dig into the asphalt shingles resulting in premature failure. The softening is no big deal, that’s how asphalt works. But walking over them when they’re hot will cause damage. Why would I need to get on my roof? Many people don’t need to, or want to, get on their roof. Yet as a homeowner, there will likely come a time you’ll need to climb your ladder for one of the following reasons. Clean the gutters Check the flashing Trying to investigate a leak Fixing a satellite dish Get a cool picture of your backyard
Storm chasers flock to neighborhoods that have been recently h it by a terrible storm. This way, their team is able to hit up every house in multiple neighborhoods since they were all hit by the same storm and could have damage. They are predatory contractors looking to capitalize on local roofing companies being overwhelmed with calls. Their success often relies on their services being the quickest option! How to identify if a roofer is a storm chaser? Local roofing companies may have outside sales people canvassing after a storm, so you can’t assume everyone knocking on your door offering roofing services is a storm chaser. What you’ll want to look out for: Name of the company . Do a quick Google search and see if the company is legit and if they have any reviews. Read the reviews! If it’s a mixed response of reviews, it’s possible that the company tried to cover up their bad reviews by stuffing good ones in themselves. Home city and state . Check out their license plate for a quick read on what state they’re from! You can also identify where their main office is located when looking up their company online. Limited-time offers . Storm chasers often put you in a high-pressure situation where their roof price is only valid “for a limited time.” They want you to feel the urgency and act fast so you don’t consider other roofers. Bottom-end pricing . Sure, the price tag means a lot! But if they are offering you a replacement at a crazy low price, take another look at the company and what’s included in the replacement. They make their money by performing the bare minimum to your home then moving on. They could be missing important elements to the roofing system, providing low quality products, lack quality workmanship, or little to no warranty life. Only offer a roof replacement . Often, storm chasers convince you that the extent of your damage isn’t salvageable with only repairs and that you have to replace your roof. They create fake damage to make it seem worse than it is! Ask for evidence, like pictures and videos, to back their recommendation. Ask for credentials. The roofing contractor needs to be insured and licensed in your state. Most states, including Pennsylvania, require contractors to maintain a state license. If they don’t offer information about their business license and certificate of insurance, just ask! Make sure they are registered and insured properly because this could impact what your insurance company is willing to cover.
