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.
You can call or visit the city clerk or the township zoning office. Many cities have made the permit application process digital, so you won’t even have to leave your home! As you apply, make sure to be specific about the work intended. Replacing an entire roof of shingles and changing the structure of the home rather than just reroofing which is different than repairing a few pipe boots. The jurisdiction of your property’s location matters if you are required to get a permit or not depending on the size of the project. The quickest way to know if you need a permit in your city is to use a search engine and ask “Do I need a permit for roof replacement X city, X state.” For PA, we recommend searching “X township/borough, X state” because permitting requirements are decided by the township. You can search the same phrase but for roof repairs! What kind of permit would I need to get? Information needed to apply for permit In order to complete your application, you’ll need to know the contractor’s name and license number, project address and the owners name, project cost, type of roof material being removed and installed. They will ask if there is any structural work required for the project, too. How much do permits cost? Some permits are a flat fee and others charge based on the cost of the project per $1000. The borough you’re in determines the cost of your permit. In Pennsylvania, We typically see a range of $50-$150 for roof replacement on a single-family home. There is a flat state fee of $4.50 added into your total fees. Below is an example permit for a roof replacement in Downingtown, PA.
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.
